The Coastal Carolina University Board of Trustees approved a strategic plan for the University during its retreat held July 24 and 25 on campus. The plan will guide progress and growth of the University through 2013. According to President David A. DeCenzo, the plan will enable the University to realize its vision of becoming the "public comprehensive University of choice in South Carolina."

In other action the board approved the transfer of $550,000 to be used for campus development/infrastructure projects. The funds were originally allocated for the now defunct arena project. The transfer will be coupled with $400,000 in existing funds for improvements to the Chanticleer baseball facility, including improved lighting, which would make the University NCAA tournament-ready, and an indoor batting area, and also to provide lighting for the student recreational/intramural fields.

The board signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) and the Horry County Schools that determines the revenue distribution from the proposed penny sales tax to be divided according to the following formula: 80 percent to Horry County Schools, 13.3 percent to the University and 6.7 percent to HGTC. It is expected that the sales tax referendum will be included on the ballot for the November election.

The board approved the program fees for the Professional Golf Management program, which is one of 20 in the nation approved by the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of America. The annual fees for students in the program range from $1,520 to $2,250 and cover such items as training materials and assessment to attain classification as a member of the PGA.

The board received the resignations of board members Clark Parker and Tommy Stringer. An original trustee and alumnus, Parker was instrumental in the 1993 establishment of Coastal Carolina University as an independent public university. Parker said he has an opportunity through Gideons International that involves travel to Eastern Europe. Stringer will run unopposed in the race for the open S.C. House seat for District 18 in Greenville County this fall. He has served on the board since 2006. Parker's resignation is effective July 31 and Stringer's is effective Nov. 7.

The board voted to name University Hall in honor of William J. Baxley Jr., who has served the University in various capacities for nearly 30 years. Baxley joined the University faculty in 1972 and served the institution in many capacities, including associate chancellor of advancement and dean of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, until his retirement in 1992. Baxley is dean emeritus of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration. In 2003, he was named an honorary founder of the University.