Board of Trustees, committees meet
Posted on: November 15, 2020; Updated on: November 15, 2020
By Dana Woodward, ddhaesel@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-3691
The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, as well as several board committees,
met on Friday, Nov. 13. Here’s what you need to know from the meeting.
Financial analyses report strong university position
At this first meeting of the day, the Finance and Infrastructure Committee heard a variety of reports detailing the current financial status of the university, as well as forecasts and suggestions for the future. Mandy Kibler, University Controller, reviewed the comprehensive annual financial report, which revealed that consistent growth in the financial position of the institution over the last five years has helped to weather the roughly $60 million impact of COVID-19.
The committee also received an overview of a report from university consultant partner EAB to identify potential cost savings and revenue generating opportunities that align with the goals in the university’s strategic plan, including increasing the number of underrepresented students and our research capacity. The process of identifying both cost-saving and revenue generating opportunities includes UofSC faculty, staff and administrators.
Options include expanding online programs to non-traditional students, growing high-demand degree programs and reducing administrative costs. The Board of Trustees was briefed on the work but no final decision has been made.
Full board issues approvals
As part of a called meeting, the board approved a variety of proposals:
- A blanket approval for Athletics to negotiate charter flights for the 2021 season men’s and women’s basketball away games
- An extension and expansion of an agreement between Student Health Services and Cepheid for diagnostic tests and equipment
- An extended contract with South Carolina Student Housing Lease Company, LLC for 700 beds in YOUnion for University Housing to use for incoming students
- Two gift naming opportunities, one in the College of Information and Communications and one in the School of Medicine Columbia
- The transfer of a one-third acre parcel of land on Catawba Street from the City of Columbia
- The granting of temporary construction easements and a 50-year land easement to the City of Columbia for sewer line improvements
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