Clemson University Trustees Approve Academic, Capital Project Initiatives
In its fall quarterly meeting on campus, Clemson University’s board of trustees approved four new master of arts teacher residency programs, funding for several recreation capital projects, modified pricing for six programs and construction of a new composite center.
The new Clemson Composites Center will be housed at the Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI) in Greenville, a partnership of Clemson University and Greenville Technical College. The center will focus on creating a lighter, recyclable, more efficient and economical automobile.
By transforming and commercializing cost-effective, efficient and sustainable technologies, the center will support South Carolina’s economic development efforts, support industry and develop a qualified workforce.
Also in the university’s academic area, four new Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) teacher residency programs – in early childhood, elementary, secondary and middle-level education – were approved, along with a Bachelor of Science degree for middle-level education.
The trustees supported the university administration’s request to institute new program pricing for six programs to strengthen the quality of undergraduate education, effective for entering students in fall 2018.
The programs impacted are engineering, nursing, packaging science, food science and human nutrition; design (architecture, landscape architecture, construction science and management); and computer science.
“In order for Clemson to continue to provide a world-class education for students from South Carolina and beyond, we must continue to invest in strong, high-demand academic programs such as these,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Robert Jones.
The trustees also approved:
Establishing the final project budget for the Snow Outdoor Fitness & Wellness Center construction and a resolution requesting issuance of state institution bonds up to $6,750,000 to finance the center.
Phase I concept to begin design of a softball complex. Trustee Ronald D. Lee of Aiken was elected vice chairman of the board for a two-year term. He has been a trustee since 2010. Lee graduated from Clemson in 1976 with a bachelor of science degree in microbiology.
The trustees approved a salary increase and deferred compensation for President James P. Clements. Both the salary increase and the deferred compensation will be paid by the Clemson University Foundation; no taxpayer or student money will be used.
The board voted to increase Clements’ total salary by $100,000 and approved $50,000 in deferred compensation, which vests in three years.
With the increase, Clements’ annual salary goes to $901,330. Of that amount, $312,530 is paid by the state of South Carolina, with the remaining $588,800 paid by the Clemson University Foundation.
Clements became Clemson’s 15th president in December 2013.
