MINUTES OF MEETING

MEMBERS PRESENT

Mr. R. Austin Gilbert, Jr., Chairman

Ms. Rosemary H. Byerly

Ms. Dianne Chinnes

Ms. Susan Cole

Mr. Dalton B. Floyd, Jr.

Ms. Cathy Harvin

Dr. Larry Jackson

Gen. Thomas R. Olsen

MEMBERS ABSENT

Mr. Lawrence Gressette, Jr.

Dr. Harry Lightsey, Jr.

Dr. David E. Shi

Mr. Bill Stern

STAFF PRESENT

Dr. Rayburn Barton

Ms. Julie Carullo

Ms. Renee Connolly

Ms. Betsy Gunter

Ms. Yolanda Hudson

Mr. Walter Jackson

Mr. Sidney Wallace

GUESTS

Dr. Diane Bradstettler

Dr. David Fleming

Mr. Mike Fox

Ms. Ann Gregory

Dr. Joe Heyward

Dr. Tom Higard

Dr. Robert Barrot

Dr. Luther Carter

Ms. Karen Jones

Ms. Star Kepner

Mr. Russell Long

Mr. J.P. McKee

Col. Spike Metts

Ms. Jackie Olsen

Mr. Bob Pierce

Ms. Lindy Smith

Ms. Anna Strange

Ms. Barbara Strickler

Dr. John Sutusky

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

None Present

For the record, notification of the meeting was made to the media as required by the Freedom of Information Act.

The meeting was called to order at 10:40 a.m. by Chairman Gilbert, who then asked Mr. Walter Jackson to proceed with the introductions.

1. Introductions

Guests were introduced and welcomed to the Commission meeting.

2. Approval of Minutes

A motion was made (Olsen), seconded (Chinnes) and carried to approve the minutes as submitted.

3. Committee Reports

3.01 Report of the Executive Committee Chairman Austin Gilbert

(No Report)

3.02 Report of the Committee on Academic Affairs

and Licensing Ms. Dianne Chinnes

(No Report)

3.03 Report of the Committee on Access, Equity & Student Services -Ms. Susan Cole

(No Report)

A. Residency Regulations

Ms. Cole: The revisions to the Residency Regulations were presented during a statewide meeting of residency officers in January. These revisions were minor clarifications to the currently approved regulations and were reviewed by residency officers representing the two- and four-year public colleges. The Committee seeks approval of the Commission on these items; however, in a meeting of the Committee this morning, several modifications were recommended. Dr. Woodfaulk was asked to explain the proposed change to the regulation—page 5, D—ATT I.

There was discussion by Ms. Chinnes and Dr. Woodfaulk concerning Item 62.609. Exclusions, A,2, dealing with eligibility and/or exclusion of spouses of full-time faculty and administrative employees to qualify to pay in-state fees without having to establish a permanent home in the state for twelve months. It was pointed out that the revisions made in the residency regulations was only clarifying what is stated in South Carolina law.

Gen. Olsen also requested clarification on 62.609.A,4, concerning “Retired Persons” and their dependents. There being no other discussion, the modifications were approved.

B. Scholarship/Grant Audit Appeals

This item is for information: The Committee granted a waiver of refunds requested from Florence-Darlington Technical College and Piedmont Technical College for academic year 1998-99 only. (ATT II).

C. Public Hearing for the Changes to the Regulations Governing the Teacher Loan Program

Ms. Cole opened the meeting for public comment regarding Changes to the Regulations Governing the Teacher Loan Program. There were no comments or questions, and, being none, the public hearing was closed.

D. Public Hearing for the LIFE & Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Appeals Regulations.

Ms. Cole opened the meeting for public comment regarding the LIFE and Palmetto Scholarship Appeals Regulations. Ms. Chinnes commented: 1) applaud the creation of the student advisory task force; 2) once again recommend that business representation be added to the appeals committee as this recommendation was made last year; she questioned was there business representation on the advisory committee; 3) do we use certified mail to notify applicants (the Commission uses certified mail to notify).

A motion (Chinnes) was made, seconded (Harvin) and carried to add the language to appoint one representative from the business community to the Appeals Committee. One opposition (Jackson) is recorded.

Ms. Harvin question: In a situation where there is a program that is terminal at five years, is there language to prevent the LIFE scholarship from terminating at four years? Dr. Barton answered that question by explaining that there is a proviso which includes certain 5-year programs. Dr. Woodfaulk reinforced this by saying that students who are enrolled in five-year programs are allowed to continue with the LIFE scholarship. They have to be agreed upon with the Academic Affairs area of the Commission on Higher Education. Thus far, the Commission polls the institutions to find out if there are any unusual programs or programs that would be five years in length and that is considered for students who would be on the LIFE scholarship program. In the appeals committee, the whole range of extenuating circumstances is considered.

With no other comments or questions, the public hearing was closed

3.04 Committee on Finance and Facilities -Ms. Rosemary Byerly

(No Report)

3.05 Report of Committee on Planning, Assessment

and Performance Funding - Mr. Dalton Floyd

A. Report Cards format for 1999-2000 Ratings

B. Development of Standards for 2000-2001

Mr. Floyd briefly reviewed the Report Card format, explaining the process used in ratings and the format for displaying information. Mr. Floyd invited Commission members to attend the Planning and Assessment Committee meeting at 10:30 on April 25, at which time the Committee will consider ratings for 1999-2000. The Committee will begin considering the standards for next year at its meeting on June 1, following the Commission meeting that morning.

5. Report of the Executive Director Rayburn Barton

¨ Introduction of new staff member: Mr. Sidney Wallace was recently hired to maintain our Web Page.

¨ Legislative Update: There is nothing substantial to report since the last Friday Notes. The Senate Sub Committee continues to hold hearings, but neither the full Senate nor the full Finance Committee have done anything on the higher education budget.

¨ MRR Validation Study: the report on the MRR Validation Study will be presented at the May meeting. The report that the Commission receives will be a draft report and, after all comments and presentations, a final report will be issued.

¨ Higher Education Finance Study: Joe Marks from SREB will be present at the May meeting to assist staff in presenting the Study.

¨ Life and safety issues in residential halls: Doug McTeer in the Governor’s office forwarded a constituent letter to CHE suggesting we create an advisory group on dorm safety. This is a reminder that the Commission requires that the institutions report annually on the life safety in dorms and that type of issues. There is already an advisory group in that area.

¨ State Report Card: The National Center for Public Policy in Higher Education in Washington, DC has, for the past year and a half, been developing an accountability reporting system state by state that is not unlike what we do in performance funding. South Carolina has been working on this for several years. Dr. Smith and the staff have been asked to develop a matrix and array the indicators that we already have in place.

¨ For the last couple of years, there has been an effort to develop an Executive-MPA degree in South Carolina. There have been discussions with legislators in an effort to get this program funded.

Chairman Gilbert introduced Dr. Luther F. Carter who, in turn, commented on the need for the E-MPA Program and the fact that it deserves support. Dr. Carter encouraged the Commission to take the time to visit with the students and talk to faculty while they were on Francis Marion University campus.

There was a presentation by Dr. Luther F. Carter on the progress of Francis Marion and construction underway on campus

Dr. Carter, on behalf of the faculty, staff and trustees of Francis Marion University, presented a memento to Chairman Gilbert, recognizing him for his service to the Commission, Francis Marion University, and the community.

6. Other Business

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Betsy R. Gunter

Recorder

ATT I-III