Meeting Minutes 10/09/2024
Aiken County Commission for Higher Education
October 9, 2024
Business and Education Building, Room 276
ACCHE Members Present: Teresa Haas, Chip Marvin, Jackie Busbee, Debra Gantt, LaWana McKenzie, Sallye Rich, Tim Simmons, Corey Murphy, Dan Heimmermann and Phil Bridgmon.
USCA Staff Present: Brian Enter, Ernest Pringle, Cam Reagin, Ahmed Samaha, Todd Wilkinson, and Julie Radford.
CCHE Members Not Present: Clarence Jackson, LaWana Mckenzie, and Joe Lewis.
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. Chip Marvin to approve minutes from the last meeting. Ms. Sallye Rich seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
Chair’s Report: Chair Haas mentioned that Dr. Heimmermann delivered his State of the University Address yesterday, and a copy of the speech has been made available for everyone to review. She noted that the speech contained a wealth of valuable information about the various developments and initiatives at the university. Chair Haas encouraged all commissioners to take the time to read Dr. Heimmermann address.
Executive Committee: No Report.
Finance Committee Report: Mr. Chip Marvin requested the other commissioners review the financial position on the specified page. He noted that the market's current performance is strong, leading to an increase in the equity position, which has resulted in the cash balances being relatively low in comparison to the overall account balances. Chip emphasized that this is not a major concern but rather a positive development as the equities are growing faster than the cash position.
He also mentioned that once Vanguard's final approval is received, adjusting will be easier, and there might be a possibility of modifying the cash balance slightly. Chip reminded the commissioners that, following the approval of the millage revenues use and its transfer, no further action is required at this time.
Buildings and Grounds: The university experienced minimal damage from Hurricane Helene, with only some minor roofing issues and a few downed trees. Most of the hazardous trees have already been removed, and any remaining potential hazards will be addressed promptly.
The AMC continues to progress according to schedule. The softball facility is still on track to open in November, having sustained no damage from the storm. Looking ahead to Summer 2025, there are several smaller modernization projects planned, as well as a more comprehensive renovation effort. This will include an HVAC replacement, the construction of a new soccer stadium, and additional interior renovations.
Additionally, a professor has expressed interest in leading a research opportunity with students focused on controlled burning as part of an ecological research study. The commissioners have suggested reaching out to Hitchcock Woods and the U.S. Forest Service at the Savannah River Site (SRS) for further guidance and potential collaboration.
Chancellor’s Report: Regarding Hurricane Helene, the university implemented closures on Friday, as well as the following Monday and Tuesday, due to the storm. From Wednesday through Friday of last week, classes were held remotely, and regular in-person classes resumed this Monday. Cam and Ahmed's reports provide a detailed overview of the challenges encountered, which were relatively minor in terms of damage. The Children's Center was closed from September 27 to October 6. We managed to secure additional food supplies and brought in a generator to support operations. By Saturday, power was restored in most of the residence halls, although four units in Pacer Downs experienced extended outages and were not fully restored until the following Wednesday. During this time, the Wellness Center remained open to provide faculty, staff, and students with access to showers, and we extended these services to some members of the community as well. The cost of cutting and removing the damaged trees has exceeded $80,000.
The only significant concern was on Friday when there were worries about having an adequate food supply, but the situation was managed effectively. Around 700 students remained on campus, with few leaving over the weekend. Despite a canceled food delivery, a few dedicated employees took the initiative to drive to Columbia to secure food supplies for the students. Outdoor grills were set up to ensure that students were provided with hot meals during the disruption.
Our primary focus was on ensuring clear and consistent communication with parents and the campus community. We provided daily updates through various channels, including social media, email, and a dedicated family communication platform, keeping everyone informed about the situation on campus. The efforts of our Crisis Action Team, which met daily from Friday through the following Monday, played a crucial role in maintaining this open line of communication.
Additionally, we hosted 300 Dominion Energy workers in the Convocation Center, and we appreciate the flexibility of Todd and the athletic teams in accommodating this during a busy time for sports. Looking ahead, on the invitation of the governor’s office through SC Senator Tom Young, we will be hosting the South Carolina Resilience Committee event next Friday. This event will feature an expo with vendors and FEMA-type support for our community, including insurance providers and other resources to assist those affected by the storm.
The university has emergency funds available through Mary’s office, with additional resources set aside to support students during this challenging period. Students can apply for these funds to help manage and navigate their recovery. From the university's perspective, the response was as successful as possible under the circumstances, and operations have largely resumed.
As a result of the hurricane, the meeting for the community at large with key stakeholders regarding the facilities master plan has been rescheduled to October 24. The final meeting in this series will be held with the university's faculty and staff.
Additional Updates: Chair Haas mentioned there will not be a meeting in November. The next meeting will be on December 11, and commencement the next day.
Motion to adjourn meeting by Teresa Haas, second by Chip Marvin. The meeting was adjourned at 5:32 p.m.