Coastal Carolina University's board of trustees has approved expansion of the Science Building by 20,000 square feet for construction of laboratory space. On a recommendation from the Facilities Committee, an assessment and feasibility study will be conducted, using the campus master plan as a guide. The completed plan would be brought back to the board for approval.

The board also approved recommendations from the Audit Committee that included:

* Contracts of outside consultants to be reviewed individually and approved by the Planning & Fiscal Affairs Committee regardless of amount.

* A Discretionary Spending Policy will be implemented that requires any expenditure over $20,000 to be approved by the Planning & Fiscal Affairs Committee.

* A Human Resources Policy will guarantee all applicants be considered for employment solely on the basis of their qualifications and that each position be properly advertised and that interviews follow EEOC guidelines.

* That an internal audit staff be expanded to include an information technology auditor and that the head of the internal audit department report directly to the Audit Committee and to the university president.

* That all current leases be reviewed individually and all future leases approved by the Capital Projects Committee regardless of the amount.

In other action, an Ad Hoc Committee was appointed to review the relationship of foundations and governing boards connected to the university, with recommendations to be made at the December meeting. Sam Swad will chair the committee. Other members are Tommy Stringer, David Singleton (CEF), a member of the Student Housing Foundation, external auditor, representative of Association of Governing Boards and a member of the Horry County Higher Education Commission.

The board also agreed to the lease of space at Colonial Mall as a Testing Center, as well as 2.8 acres on University Boulevard from the Coastal Educational Foundation (CEF) for overflow parking.

And the board approved tenure for Emma Savage-Davis, director of Coastal's Center for Education and Community and associate professor of education; she joined the faculty in 2005.