Paul MacDonald

The board meeting agenda included reports from the Operations Committee and a review of approved funding for FY2027 covering Graduate Medical Education, Undergraduate Medical Education, Graduate Health Science Education, and Graduate Clinical Facility Development. New business items involved consideration of carryforward requests for simulation equipment and nursing programs, as well as new funding requests for nursing educator roles, residency programs, simulation training facility development, graduate clinical education, and academic campus operations. The board also reviewed the current financial statements and the updated budget for FY2026, and deliberated on the proposed budget for FY2027.

The Board of Trustees discussed several key items, including the naming of the D. Keith Best Blackbox Theater to honor a late faculty member's contributions. Other updates covered academic affairs, such as the granting of emeritus status to faculty members and international program activities. The development committee reported on new foundation gifts, donor scholarship receptions, and upcoming community art exhibits and performing arts center events. Facilities updates included ongoing construction projects for science and medical buildings, land acquisitions, and the approval of a resolution for new pedestrian crosswalks across Highway 327. Additionally, the athletic department reported on the success of baseball and softball programs, academic honors for student-athletes, and preparations for upcoming commencement ceremonies.

This Strategic Plan for Francis Marion University outlines its commitment to providing an excellent education, stimulating inquiry and research, and serving the Pee Dee region and the state of South Carolina. The plan is built upon 13 strategic objectives that focus on maintaining and expanding quality academic programs, improving student academic success, fostering an excellent faculty and staff, enhancing multicultural and global educational opportunities, developing campus technology, maintaining information resources, increasing student enrollment and retention, boosting external funding, increasing student involvement with external organizations, emphasizing career development, raising the quality and visibility of athletic and cultural programs, developing physical facilities, and enhancing the university's image through targeted marketing.

The agenda for the meeting includes reviewing updates from the Operations Committee, specifically concerning an update to the By-Laws, and updates from the Education Committees and the Medical Facility Advisory Committee. New Business items involve a proposal for POCUS Training Equipment from FMU and a proposal for a New Emergency Medicine Residency & Psychiatry Residency from MUSC. The meeting will also cover the Financial Report, including current financial statements, the updated budget for FY2025, and the FY2025 Audit Results, alongside funding updates such as the Annual Report FY2025 and discussions on the Clinical Preceptor Development/Training Program.

The meeting included reports from various committees, including executive affairs, academic affairs and accreditation, development and alumni, financial affairs and facilities, and student affairs and athletics. Discussions covered topics such as the transfer of property, development of a master's degree in educational leadership, upcoming events and gifts, budget summary, campus development plan, student government association activities, student life events, and updates on various sports teams. The board also considered a motion.