Trustees make plans to ensure alumni voices are heard
A clean audit report, progress in the enrollment plan, and action to strengthen relations with alumni highlighted a one-day gathering of the Erskine Board of Trustees Friday, Oct. 12. The trustees came to the campus a day later than originally planned, allowing time for Tropical Storm Michael to exit the Carolinas.
Greg Griffin, Executive Vice President of CapinCrouse, presented the independent audit report. The annual report indicated that Erskine’s financial statements are in compliance with all applicable accounting standards. The statements showed an increase in net assets for the second year in a row.
Newly appointed Dean of Enrollment Dr. Timothy Rees was introduced to the College Committee by College Provost Dr. Tom Hellams and to the Executive Committee by Erskine President Dr. Robert Gustafson. The president provided trustees with an update of the enrollment plan and noted that all coaching positions except that of head football coach have been filled. Two candidates for the football position will be interviewed in late October.
“The trustees are excited about the progress that’s been made since our meeting in August to position Erskine for growth,” Board Chairman Jill Gazzaway said.
The president spoke enthusiastically about this year’s student body. The first three chapel sessions of the semester, all in the Due West ARP Church, were crowded with students. The student organization Fleet Fellowship, a cooperative effort of Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Reformed University Fellowship, recently hosted its first evening of worship, drawing more than 100 students.
The trustees took action to amend the institution’s bylaws to reflect the vote of the 2018 General Synod of the ARP Church removing the ex-officio alumni position from the Erskine Board of Trustees. The Rev. Clint Davis, vice chairman of the board, explained that the General Synod’s decision “was in agreement with the 2013 revision of the institution’s charter filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office.” Thus the ex-officio alumni position no longer exists.
“It was evident from the board process that dealt with this difficult matter that there is keen interest among the trustees—nearly half of whom are alumni—in establishing open lines of communication between the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Board,” the president said.
The trustees voted to form an ad hoc committee to work alongside the Alumni Board to improve and advance alumni relations with the Board of Trustees and to ensure that the voice of the Alumni Association continue to be heard. Members of the committee will be named by the end of the month.
