(123rf.com Image)

Clemson University’s Board of Trustees approved the FY25 budget; a host of facilities projects, including a housing expansion of Douthit Hills; the hire of a new vice president for student affairs; and future naming opportunities and honorary degree recipients as it held its summer quarterly meetings on July 18.

Record Breaking 2023-2024

During his quarterly report to the Board, President Jim Clements highlighted the achievements of Clemson students, including a record-setting 59 national scholar award winners. The group includes the university’s fifth-ever Truman Scholar, an Astronaut Scholar and five Goldwater Scholars. Over the past five years, Clemson students have earned a Rhodes Scholarship, three Truman Scholarships and 17 Goldwater Scholarships — figures only five other universities nationally can claim (Michigan, Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Stanford).

The Board was also informed of a record $259M in philanthropic support during the 2024 fiscal year that ended on June 30, eclipsing last year’s total by more than 19 percent. The $259,072,365 raised in academic and athletic support was given by 40,484 individual alumni, faculty, staff, parents, friends, partners and donors who contributed a combined 107,295 gifts.

FY25 Budget Approved

In June, with the continued support of the South Carolina General Assembly, the Board approved an in-state tuition freeze for the fifth consecutive year. On July 18, 2024, the Board approved the administration’s $2.1B balanced budget for FY25.

Officials said the FY25 budget represents disciplined expense management and revenue growth in support of Clemson Elevate priorities while enabling Clemson to pursue AAU status.

They added Clemson continues to be recognized by the bond rating agencies for its focused strategic priorities and strong fiscal management. Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings affirmed the credit rating of the university’s higher education revenue bonds this year, and S&P Global upgraded the rating to AA+. The university’s Moody’s, S&P Global and Fitch ratings are now Aa2/AA+/AA, respectively — the highest they have been.

Officials said the FY25 budget reflects a continuation of key priorities and critical steps toward transforming Clemson’s administrative systems and processes to better serve those priorities. They said the FY25 budget also represents continued investments in Clemson Elevate priorities, including strategic hires supporting research ascension, and employee retention efforts through cost-of-living adjustments and faculty promotions.

Elsewhere, Doug Hallenbeck has been named vice president for student affairs following approval from the Board of Trustees Compensation Committee. Hallenbeck returns to Clemson after serving as vice president for student affairs at Oklahoma State University from 2019-2024. In his new role beginning this fall, Hallenbeck will lead the Division of Student Affairs, encompassing areas responsible for supporting student success beyond the classroom.

Facilities Approvals

Douthit Hills Expansion – The university has been evaluating opportunities to construct additional facilities for first-year on-campus housing. The proposed project will create an additional residential building in the Douthit Hills community, providing an additional 360 beds as well as a classroom, collaboration space and a faculty apartment.

Parking Garage (Phase II) – Design and construction of a six-level, approximately 1,200-space parking facility by the newly aligned Williamson Road to the east and Perimeter Road to the south. Officials said this location will leverage investments to both of those streets and direct traffic to the perimeter of campus. Recent benchmarking and review by an external consultant recommended further expansion of parking capacity and consideration of a parking garage.

Officials said the university parking system is fully used, and it is anticipated some centrally located surface parking supply will be displaced as the university maximizes its existing land for future facilities. This facility will be located centrally near the new alumni center and will provide high-density parking for alumni, visitors, athletic functions and prospective students on campus tours.

Bryan Mall – Lever Hall Renovation (Phase II) – This project will renovate Lever Hall as the third and final building in the Bryan Mall renovation plans. Bryan Mall consists of three high-rise buildings that house 1,450 undergraduate students. The first building to be renovated, Byrnes Hall, was previously approved and is under construction with an estimated completion date of August 2024. The second building to be renovated, Manning Hall, was also previously approved, and construction began in May 2024 with an estimated completion date of August 2025.

The work will include repairing the building envelopes; improving accessibility; installing new fire sprinkler systems; replacing the plumbing, HVAC, electrical and roofing systems; and abating hazardous materials. The renovations to Lever Hall will also include new corner and central stairwells to improve functionality and egress. The current plan also creates new interior restroom suites, with ADA accommodation, that are popular with residents. Officials said the proposed renovations will bring the facilities up to current standards and extend their useful life for another 40 years.

College of Veterinary Medicine Construction Budget Update – The Board approved a budget of $285.5M for the construction of the College of Veterinary Medicine complex. The project includes the construction of approximately 232,500 gross square feet of teaching, clinical and research facilities. The College of Veterinary Medicine will be built near the main campus of Clemson University at a site near the intersection of Starkey Road and W. Queen Street. Officials said the site provides the veterinary school students and faculty with proximity and easy access to the university research farms, teaching herds, and the T. Ed Garrison Arena and Expo Center, one of the premier livestock facilities in the Southeast.