Meeting Minutes 05/14/2025
Aiken County Commission for Higher Education
March 12, 2025
Business and Education Building, Room 276
ACCHE Members Present: Teresa Haas, Clarence Jackson, Jackie Busbee, Tim Simmons, Chip Marvin, LaWana Mckenzie, Corey Murphy, Sharon Marra, Debra Gantt, Sallye Rich, and Phil Bridgmon, Dan Heimmermann
USCA Staff Present: Mary Driscoll, Ernest Pringle, Cam Reagin, Ahmed Samaha, Todd Wilkinson, Nathan Rice and Julie Radford.
ACCHE Members Not Present: Joe Lewis
Chair Haas called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. She stated the notice of the meeting had been published in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
Motion from Mr. Chip Marvin to approve minutes from the last meeting. Mr. Clarence Jackson seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
Chair’s Report: The Chair began by acknowledging the Steinway piano demonstration, noting it was a meaningful experience and part of a Legacy Society planned gift to the university from Mary Jo and Joey Sele. Joey, the son, helped carry out the gift in honor of his mother.
An important update was provided regarding a new state requirement that board members complete an oath of office by July 31. Chair Haas said commissioners will soon receive instructions by email, including whether the oath must be notarized.
The upcoming groundbreaking ceremony for the South Carolina National Guard’s Cyber Integration and Readiness Center, scheduled for May 27 at 10:00 a.m., with a VIP reception from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. RSVPs are requested by May 16 and should be sent to Stacy.
Chair Haas shared that last week’s commencement ceremony was a resounding success. Four students were commissioned, and Pacer Life students. The event was well-organized and positively received by all in attendance.
Executive Committee: The South Carolina Forestry Commission recently approached USC Aiken about creating a fire break on university property to support wildfire prevention efforts. The SC Forestry Commission, tasked with helping limit the spread of wildfires in the state, has identified the area around USC Aiken as high risk due to increasing population density, unmanaged vegetation, and a recent increase in local fires. A proposed fire break would follow a red line marked on a map provided, indicating a 30-foot-wide cleared path that aligns with an existing trail often used by students. The SC Forestry Commission has offered a grant of up to $10,000 to cover the costs of creating the fire break, with the only requirement being that USC Aiken maintain the area.
The Executive Committee reviewed the proposal and unanimously recommended its approval. A motion was made to accept the Forestry Commission’s proposal and move forward with the creation of the fire break. All were in favor of the motion.
Additionally, discussions were presented regarding the potential to develop some of USC Aiken’s undeveloped acreage through public-private partnerships. A map included in the meeting materials outlines approximately 89 acres that may be suitable for mixed-use development. RCLCO, a consulting firm with extensive experience in similar initiatives—particularly around the Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. They submitted a proposal to conduct a comprehensive market analysis to determine the best use of the land, based on local demographics and regional demands. The total cost for the study is $45,000. The Aiken Partnership has committed to funding half of the cost, and the Executive Committee recommended that the university cover the remaining $22,500.
The objective of the study is to generate data-driven recommendations on the most strategic development opportunities for the university’s land. Possibilities include housing, retail, and other amenities that serve students and the broader community. Importantly, the land would not be sold; instead, any development would be structured to assist USC Aiken. The market analysis will incorporate the university’s existing master plan and assess how potential developments align with USC Aiken’s long-term goals.
A motion was made to approve the university’s portion of the funding for the RCLCO market analysis, all were in favor.
Finance Committee Report: Despite recent market volatility, account balances have rebounded and are now back at over $4 million.
Chip will work with Teresa next week to review updated figures and contact Vanguard to rebalance investments and generate the needed liquidity. Chip also pointed out that spending has been minimal recently. The last significant expense was the machine shop, which has now been fully paid over two fiscal years.
Buildings and Grounds: Brian reported several active and upcoming projects. Construction on the new soccer field is set to begin next month, with completion targeted for this summer. Multiple projects will also take place at the Student Activities Center, the Alumni House, and several HVAC updates over the summer. The current demolition date is in August for the Cyber Integration Center.
Chancellor’s Report: The Chancellor began by expressing gratitude to everyone who attended the recent commencement, calling it a wonderful and efficient event. He celebrated the achievements of over 400 graduates, four newly commissioned second lieutenants, and the Pacer Life students, emphasizing how their presence enriches the campus. He praised the event’s organization, which lasted only 1 hour and 31 minutes. The Chancellor noted the university’s student-centered focus and hinted at the possibility of a future honorary doctorate recipient speaking at commencement.
The Chancellor provided a legislative update, sharing promising news that USC Aiken may receive the full $8.3 million requested for the renovation of the outdated science building. He also noted that additional funding is anticipated to support cyber and engineering programs. Notably, the electrical engineering program has been approved to launch in Fall 2026. He emphasized the growing demand in these fields and highlighted the strong support USC Aiken continues to receive from industry partners.
Regarding tuition, the Chancellor discussed the likely conclusion of tuition mitigation funding, which has enabled the university to avoid tuition increases for the past eight years.
He also highlighted the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony for the SCNG Cyber Integration Center, scheduled for May 27. He described this as a major milestone for the university and a testament to USC Aiken’s leadership in cybersecurity.
Finally, the Chancellor noted that the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) is tentatively scheduled for a ribbon cutting on August 7. Preparations are underway to furnish the facility and install necessary equipment.
Enrollment growth remains a top priority, and the Chancellor expressed enthusiasm about hiring Nathan Rice as the new Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management. He also celebrated several other strong hires: Dr. David Buckman as Dean of Education, Dr. Ravi Narayanaswamy as Dean of Business and Daniel Elwell as Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs.
Additional Announcements:
Motion to adjourn meeting by Chip Marvin, second by Clarence. The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.