At its 2022 Spring Quarterly Meeting held in Columbia, South Carolina, on April 27, the Clemson University Board of Trustees received updates from University administration on the Spring Semester including record-breaking applications, an all-time high in research expenditures and continued student successes in the classroom and athletics. Actions taken by the board included approval of several facilities upgrades along with the creation an undergraduate automotive engineering degree.
The undergraduate automotive engineering major will provide students with a cross-disciplinary curriculum for the first two years on main campus, focusing on general engineering and acquiring foundational automotive engineering. The remaining two years will be spent at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), providing students with the opportunity to participate in relevant cross-disciplinary courses and experiential learning opportunities tailored to the changing automotive landscape.
“We are excited to add a first-of-its kind undergraduate degree in automotive engineering,” Clemson University President Jim Clements said. “This program, in conjunction with the newly formed School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, will solidify Clemson’s position as the preeminent destination for automotive engineering education, research and innovation in the Southeast.”
During his report to the Board, President Clements also highlighted last week’s Women’s Roundtable and Men of Color National Summit, a record-breaking annual Give Day, and student success metrics including a 93.6 percent first-year retention rate and an 85.5 percent six-year graduation rate.
At the conclusion of the board meeting, Trustee Emeritus David Wilkins was honored with a resolution by the board, thanking him for “his tireless work to improve quality of life for his fellow citizens, for a lifetime of professional success and achievement, for his unwavering support of his alma mater, and for all he will continue to mean to the success of Clemson University and the larger community.” Chair Kim Wilkerson presented a framed copy of the resolution following its unanimous adoption and thanked Ambassador Wilkins for “his lifetime of service to the citizens of South Carolina and Clemson University.”
The next quarterly meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for July 21-23, 2022.
ACTION ITEMS
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
- Approval to establish a new Bachelor of Science degree in automotive engineering at CU-ICAR, a College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS) program which seeks to leverage industry partnerships to meet the demand for industry professionals with hands-on, real-world learning.
- Approval to establish a new concentration in medicine, health and human Values for the Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. The new concentration for the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities (CAAH) addresses the demand for cross-disciplinary engagement in medicine, health, resilience and human values, and is designed for students interested in medicine and other professional fields.
- Approval of a Bachelor of Arts degree name change from Pan African Studies to Global Black Studies within the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities (CAAH).
- Approval of a new College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS) online Certificate in Biomedical Regulatory and Quality Science, which provides students with a working knowledge of the regulations and quality systems governing medical devices and pharmaceutical industries, as well as government agencies.
CAMPUS FACILITIES
- Phase I approval of expansion and upgrades to the chiller plants. The $30M investment supports continued campus growth, rejuvenates aging and existing equipment, and enhances energy efficiency.
- Phase I and Phase II approvals of projects with budgets less than $5M, which include installing an elevator in Holtzendorff Hall, renovating the Lowry Hall Hydraulics Lab, additions and upgrades to the Hendrix Center Eastside Food Court and adding the Davidson and Reed Fields to the Snow Family Complex.
- Phase I approval to acquire approximately 10 acres of property (Brody Property).