Clemson University trustees approve 2011-12 budget

Published: July 15, 2011

David H. Wilkins image by: Clemson University

CHARLESTON — Clemson University’s trustees Friday approved the school’s fiscal year 2011-2012 budget at their summer quarterly meeting in Charleston. The $815 million annual budget includes an approximate 2.2 percent overall increase in total revenues and expenditures. 

Chief Financial Officer Brett Dalton said, “This modest increase in total resources and expenditures is less than the Consumer Price Index estimate of 3.6 percent inflation for the most recent 12 months.”

Additional permanent cuts in state appropriations and the loss of more than $19 million in stimulus funding were offset by additional generated external revenue, grants and contracts, and a 3.8 percent increase in tuition and fees.

Dalton said the university continues to invest most heavily in its core academic and academic support areas. Funding for scholarships and fellowships is projected to increase again this year, reflecting the focus on affordability and access for South Carolina families. The budget also reflects reductions in expenditures for total wages and benefits, primarily because of fewer administrative and support positions.

The trustee approval of the budget endorses the administration’s commitment to fund the Clemson 2020 plan through new revenue generation and internal reallocations. The Clemson 2020 Road Map is a 10-year strategic plan that calls for investments in faculty hires, student engagement, upgraded facilities and technology, and faculty and staff compensation — with most of the funding to come from existing resources and new revenues.

Provost Dori Helms reported that applications for freshman admission already had surpassed last year’s record. As of June 24, freshman applications totaled 17,019 — 5,885 in-state and 11,134 out-of-state. Transfer applications totaled 2,225, also an increase from 2010. Graduate applications were up 3.3 percent, to 6,121, as of July 1.

In other action, the board approved:

• termination of a substance abuse certificate program and a master’s degree in early childhood education, both of which have had low enrollment.
• a new concentration in entrepreneurship and innovation for Master of Business Administration (MBA) students. Classes will be taught by Clemson business faculty and by professional entrepreneurs who serve as adjunct instructors.
• a Six Sigma Certificate the industrial engineering department will begin offering this fall to undergraduate students who want to focus on statistical quality control, design of experiments, process analysis and quality engineering techniques.
• the final phase for an addition to Freeman Hall, funded by self-generated revenue from the industrial engineering department, that will add 24,000 square feet of office, classroom and research space.
• concept phases for Littlejohn Coliseum annex and wastewater treatment plant upgrades. The coliseum project will provide quality practice facilities for the men’s and women’s basketball teams with two additional practice gyms and offices. Private donations from IPTAY, the Clemson University Foundation and other non-state sources will finance the annex addition.
• concept and final phases for graduate student housing at the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science in Georgetown.
• a naming request for the university soccer stadium in connection with a fundraising goal of $1million for renovations.

Former South Carolina legislator and U.S. Ambassador to Canada David H. Wilkins was unanimously reelected chairman of the board of trustees for a two-year term. He has served on the board since 2007.

The Greenville native earned his undergraduate degree in history from Clemson in 1968 and his law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1971. He is a partner at the law firm of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP.

Kim A. Wilkerson of Cayce, who was selected as life trustee in 2010, assumed the seat vacated when Life Trustee Dr. John James “J.J” Britton of Sumter became an emeritus trustee at this meeting.

Britton, a leader in the Sumter community, was first elected to Clemson’s board of trustees as a legislative trustee in 1981 and again in 1988. He was selected as a life trustee in 1995, serving the board with distinction for 27 years, including two terms as vice chairman.

“J.J. Britton has given countless hours of outstanding service to Clemson University,” said Wilkins. “Clemson is a better university because of his dedication and commitment. Our challenge was to identify a successor who is as intelligent, accomplished and passionate about higher education in Clemson University.”

Wilkerson, who graduated from Clemson in 1980 with a bachelor of science in financial management, was named president of Bank of America South Carolina in 2005. She has a long history of service to Clemson, including as a member of the Board of Visitors and the Clemson University Foundation board of directors.

Clemson University is governed by a 13-member board, including six trustees elected by the state legislature and seven life members, as provided by the will of Thomas G. Clemson, whose bequest to the state led to the institution’s founding.

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