Ann Almasi-Bush

This document details the College of Charleston's Life Design program, an initiative aimed at guiding students through their academic and professional development. It focuses on building clarity and confidence through practical tools, one-on-one coaching, and a supportive community. Key offerings include 'Design my Charleston' for first-year students and 'Life Launch Design my Life' for those nearing graduation. The program seeks to enable students to holistically explore and prototype various life and career paths, ensuring a 'no-regret' college experience by integrating campus resources and offering specialized career circles.

The primary actions of the meeting included the adoption of a resolution establishing the "College of Charleston Board of Trustee's Circle," which will feature an annual reception held in conjunction with the October Board meeting. The President's Report addressed current higher education challenges, such as demographic shifts and increased competition, while highlighting institutional successes like increased applications and record philanthropic support. The Property Committee endorsed the President's efforts to acquire land downtown for a new academic building. The Finance Committee reviewed budget reports and discussed future housing and dining rates. The Athletics Committee provided updates on basketball and introduced new development personnel. The Student Success Committee reviewed fall semester highlights and future committee topics. The Governance Committee approved a new "Board Meeting Policy for Board Members, University Personnel and Invited Guests." A significant action item involved the approval, and subsequent revote due to technical issues, of a three-year extension to President Hsu's existing contract. The Academic Affairs Committee approved the resolution for awarding December 2025 undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting via Zoom video conference. The primary agenda item discussed was entering into Executive Session to receive legal counsel advice regarding the university's actions and response related to the disappearance of a student and a recent sexual assault arrest made by College of Charleston Public Safety. No formal action was taken during the Executive Session.

The Board of Trustees convened in a special meeting. The session included an Executive Session to receive legal advice and discuss negotiations related to a naming opportunity for a School of Hospitality and Tourism. Upon returning to open session, the primary discussion focused on philanthropic efforts aimed at establishing a School of Hospitality and Tourism Management from the existing department to facilitate future naming opportunities and philanthropic support. The Board subsequently passed a motion to approve and support the President's efforts to formalize this philanthropic opportunity to name the new School of Hospitality and Tourism Management within the existing School of Business.

The special meeting focused on two naming opportunities requiring Board of Trustees approval. The first involved approving the creation and naming of an endowed program fund for veteran and military students, to be called the "Schoen Foundation Program for Veteran and Military Student Success," funded by a $1.1 Million contribution from The Schoen Foundation. The second approval concerned naming the lounge in the Veteran and Military Student Success Center as "Jerry's Place" in memorial recognition of Gerald "Jerry" D. Polis for his lifetime giving of $257,000 to veterans-related activities. The Board also entered an executive session to receive legal advice regarding the university's actions related to a student disappearance and a recent sexual assault arrest, taking no action during that session.