Dr. John Carson Erskine Board Of Trustees Gets Update On Gold Campaign More than half of the $35 million Gold Campaign goal has been reached, the Erskine College Board of Trustees learned Friday. Erskine President Dr. John Carson reported that the college was successful in meeting his challenge to raise $8 million by the end of 2003. From Oct. 31 to Dec. 31, about $9.8 million was raised through gifts and pledges and additional major gifts that ranged in size from $40,000 to $3.2 million. “A lot of this would be an answer to prayer,” Carson said. Overall, Vice President for Development Lee Logan reported that about $19.2 million — 54.35 percent — has been raised toward the Gold Campaign to this point. Erskine kicked off the fund-raiser in October. Among the projects included are renovation and expansion of Memorial Hall, endowed scholarships and professorships, athletics, the Drummond Center, the Erskine Building, the seminary and the master plan. Logan said he thinks the momentum of the Gold Campaign is gathering and he expects the campaign to be a success. • The board approved its 2004-05 budget that includes 3.9 percent increases in tuition, fees, room and board. The computer technology and medical fees will increase from $104 to $150, respectively. Board member John McGill, chairman of the finance/facilities committee, said he expects the college to complete this fiscal year in the black. Vice President and Dean of the College Dr. Don Weatherman said college officials are projecting that next fall’s enrollment will top 600 — a goal of the board’s most recent master plan. • The board re-elected John Moore as chairman, Crosland Stuart as vice chairman and Allen Derrick as secretary. • Melvin Barnette, vice president for finance and operations, was appointed treasurer by the board. • Barnette reported that the endowment has increased since June 30, 2003, from about $39 million to about $42 million at the present time. Moore talked about some aspects of the endowment and how it operates. “We’ve made tremendous progress over the last 14 years,” he said, but there is still work to be done. Moore said the college has been “battling the market” since 2001 in managing its investments. He said the endowment affects the operating budget, as a certain percentage is taken and applied toward the budget — traditionally 10 percent — but the board is working on lowering that percentage. Moore said it is customary to apply 5 percent of the endowment proceeds to the operating budget and the board is working toward that figure. • The board recognized members who are rotating off. • The board approved the expenditure of the remaining $10 million bond issue — $171,000 — for various projects, including seminary renovations and a facilities building.