News - Local/State

Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008

DiGiorgio: Winthrop weathering budget cuts

Despite receiving fewer state dollars, Winthrop University's goal is gaining "national prominence."

That was the challenge President Anthony DiGiorgio made Wednesday morning in his annual address to Winthrop's faculty and staff.

"It has taken us almost 20 years to gain a level of national recognition in the realm of being among America's best values in higher education," he said. "So we can and will grow to our next level of achievement -- national prominence -- thoughtfully and carefully as well."

During his speech, DiGiorgio noted budget problems in Columbia as well as the university's building goals and increased safety measures.

Some highlights:

• When state leaders sliced 3 percent from state agencies' budgets last week, Winthrop's funding was cut by $700,000. The university had already lost $2.6 million in public funding during the last few years, leaving the institution with the same amount it was getting at the beginning of the decade. At one time, the state funded 44 percent of the university's budget. It now provides 17 percent. DiGiorgio didn't say what the recent cuts could mean for Winthrop.

• DiGiorgio doesn't expect the university will lay off any workers.

• Despite the state's cuts, Winthrop has a track record of emerging through economic downturns, DiGiorgio said, particularly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

• During that time, the university refined its building and academic plans. When the financial outlook improved, Winthrop acted on those plans, which included building the 135,000-square-foot Lois Rhame West Health, Physical Education and Wellness Center.

• DiGiorgio noted the impact of a university policy requiring freshmen and sophomores to live on campus unless they live with their parents within 50 miles of the university. "Students who engage themselves in the full Winthrop experience as campus residents appear to be far more academically successful, dropping out notably less than commuter students, we believe, because they develop a stronger sense of purpose and a better set of life skills by living on campus."

• Carroll Hall, an auditorium, computer labs and classrooms for the college of business administration, should be ready for students by the fall semester of 2009, DiGiorgio said. The university's student center should be built by 2010.

• After last year's mass shooting at Virginia Tech, Winthrop added a text-messaging alert system and 50 screens around campus that can flash emergency messages. This year, DiGiorgio said, the university will add 50 more screens.

• The university added 22 faculty parking spaces because it purchased a lot behind the campus that created 500 additional student parking spaces.