Meeting Minutes 01/15/2025
Aiken County Commission for Higher Education
January 15, 2025
Business and Education Building, Room 276
ACCHE Members Present: Teresa Haas, Clarence Jackson, Jackie Busbee, Debra Gantt, Sharon Marra, Tim Simmons, Joe Lewis, Corey Murphy, Dan Heimmermann
USCA Staff Present: Mary Driscoll, Brian Enter, Ernest Pringle, Cam Reagin, Ahmed Samaha, and Julie Radford.
ACCHE Members Not Present:. Chip Marvin, Sallye Rich, LaWana Mckenzie, and Phil Bridgmon
Chair Haas called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. She stated that notice of the meeting had been published in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
Motion from Mr. Tim Simmons to approve minutes from the last meeting. Mr. Clarence Jackson seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
Chair’s Report: In the Chair's report, appreciation was extended to those who attended the recent joint meeting with the legislative delegation. The discussion was praised as productive, with positive feedback on Dr. Dan Heimmermann’s budget presentation and updates from Senator Tom Young.. An article in the Aiken Standard highlighted the meeting's outcomes, and attendees were encouraged to review the comprehensive packet of information prepared by Dr. Heimmermann and his team. Members who were unable to attend will receive copies of the materials.
Attention was drawn to an upcoming event: the groundbreaking ceremony for the Aiken Mixed-Use Building on January 27 at 3 PM on Newberry Street. This project, funded through plutonium settlement and state contributions, involves collaboration between the Aiken Corporation, DOE, the city, and other stakeholders. USC Aiken is expected to have a significant presence in the building, particularly on the first floor. Members were encouraged to RSVP to the city if planning to attend.
Executive Committee: Chair Haas brought forward a motion for consideration, seeking to formalize discussions on potential public-private partnerships involving unused USCA land. After consulting with Chancellor Dr. Dan Heimmermann, the committee proposed an amendment granting him the authority to engage with government and business officials to explore potential uses for specific parcels of land not designated in the university's master plan. These discussions would focus on ideas that benefit both the university and the surrounding community, such as retail, housing, or amenities that serve students, faculty, staff, and residents.
The proposed motion grants Chancellor Dan Heimmermann the authority to engage in discussion with government and business officials regarding public and private partnerships on USCA Land, requiring approval from ACCHE. The motion was introduced by the Executive Committee and opened for discussion.
During the discussion, Dr. Heimmermann clarified that the goal is to attract professional input to identify feasible projects that align with the demographics and needs of the area. The emphasis on amenities that support both the university and community development. Dr. Heimmermann referenced examples from other universities, such as innovation corridors and mixed-use developments, which integrate campus and community needs.
He also highlighted opportunities for economic growth tied to the nearby Savannah River National Laboratory, the upcoming National Guard Cyber Integration Center, and other regional initiatives. The intention is to leverage these unique assets while fostering closer ties between USC Aiken and the local community.
The motion was approved, granting Dr. Heimmermann the authority to proceed with exploratory discussions.
Finance Committee Report: Cam noted that December saw a market sell-off, a decline of just over $100,000 in investment value. There were no significant transactions to report, and while free cash is somewhat limited, it is not currently a critical concern. Efforts are being made to avoid unnecessary asset sales.
Buildings and Grounds: Brian provided updates on ongoing projects and proposals. The AMC construction project remains on track, with completion expected by late June and occupancy planned for the end of July, including furniture setup. Regarding the Cyber Center, the National Guard is preparing to begin demolition of the softball field as early as June, with a battalion general overseeing the effort. Brian proposed adding the tennis courts and two trailers to the demolition scope, as completing this work while the National Guard is on-site could help reduce costs for the university. Approval from relevant stakeholders is still pending. He highlighted the National Guard’s prior contributions, including $1 million in dirt work for the new ball fields. Brian also emphasized the importance of cleaning up the area near the new buildings to maintain a cohesive and appealing campus appearance. While the softball field and trailers are obvious candidates for removal, he acknowledged that the trailers are used for storage and some lifelong learning activities. He expressed sensitivity to the area’s functional needs while stressing the value of maintaining a clean and organized campus environment.
The discussion focused on the potential demolition of the university’s tennis courts and the associated considerations. If the courts are removed, alternative storage and relocation of current functions in the area would need to be addressed, such as providing another room in the same building or obtaining portable storage. The university’s master plan includes potential tennis facilities across the highway instead of its current location.
Chancellor’s Report: Enrollment for the spring has increased by 5–8%, attributed to strong retention and a successful fall semester.
The university’s legislative requests are underway. Key priorities include funding for the science building renovation, support for cyber engineering and health sciences programs. The collaboration with local and federal officials continues, with Senator Graham supporting funding for nursing and cyber programs for the FY26 request. The Facilities Master Plan is nearing finalization, following feedback from various stakeholders.
There are ongoing discussions about USC Aiken’s role in a new downtown workforce development / mixed use building. The university plans to lease space for educational initiatives, showcasing STEM pathways from K-12 through graduate programs. The project aligns with regional workforce development goals.
On Saturday, the university participated in the 125th Cyber Protection Battalion event, highlighting upcoming developments like the readiness center and cyber integration center. These facilities will provide classroom space and resources for both military and university use, further enhancing the institution's role in regional development.
Dr. Heimmermann shared an update on the status of the electrical engineering degree. He noted that work is ongoing in conjunction with efforts on various other engineering degrees. The proposal has not yet been submitted to Columbia for approval. Once the proposal is finalized, it will be presented at a later date.
Mary stated that Commission members will receive two invitations. One is for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration on Jan. 26, 2025, at the USCA Convocation Center. The second invitation is for Leadership Volunteer Night of Basketball on Feb. 5. There will be a double header basketball game for the USCA Men’s and Women’s basketball games against Flagler College. There will be a VIP reception between the two games.
Teresa reminded Commission members that there will not be a meeting in February. The next meeting is with Aiken County Council members on March 12 at 5:00pm.
Motion to adjourn meeting by Tim Simmons, second by Clarence Jackson. The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.