ARTICLE XV
THE BOARD OF VISITORS
SECTION 1. COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS.
The Board of Visitors of the University of South Carolina shall consist of thirty-one
members elected by the Board of Trustees from the following categories: one member
from each of the sixteen judicial circuits nominated by the member of the Board of
Trustees representing that judicial circuit; two in-state at-large members and two
out-of-state at-large members nominated by members of the Board of Trustees; one member
nominated by the Gubernatorial Designee to the Board of Trustees; one member nominated
by the Gubernatorial Appointee to the Board of Trustees; one faculty representative
nominated by the Columbia Faculty Senate; and eight representatives nominated by the
President. The Secretary of the Board of Trustees, the Chief Advancement Officer,
the Vice President of the USC Columbia Student Body, the immediate past Chair of the
Board of Visitors, and the spouse of the President shall serve as ex officio members.
SECTION 2. TERM OF MEMBERSHIP.
The term of office for elected members of the Board of Visitors shall be three years.
Members shall be elected as follows:
- Effective September 1, 2013 and every three years thereafter, the following members
shall be elected by the Board of Trustees: members representing the 1st, 4th, 7th,
10th, 13th and 16th Judicial Circuits; one in-state at-large member; one out-of-state
at-large member; one member nominated by the Gubernatorial Designee to the Board of
Trustees; and three members nominated by the President.
- Effective September 1, 2014 and every three years thereafter, the following members
shall be elected by the Board of Trustees: members representing the 3rd, 6th, 9th,
12th and 15th Judicial Circuits; one faculty representative nominated by the Columbia
Faculty Senate; and two members nominated by the President.
- Effective September 1, 2015 and every three years thereafter, the following members shall be elected by the Board of Trustees: members representing the 2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th and 14th Judicial Circuits; one in-state at-large member; one out-of-state at-large member; one member nominated by the Gubernatorial Appointee to the Board of Trustees; and three members nominated by the President.
Elected members shall be eligible to serve not more than two consecutive three-year terms but may not thereafter be elected to the Board of Visitors until after a break in service of not less than three years. In the event a vacancy occurs on the Board of Visitors prior to the expiration of a member’s term, a successor nominated in accordance with Section 1 hereinabove shall be elected by the Board of Trustees to fulfill the unexpired portion of the term and shall be eligible to serve two additional, consecutive three-year terms.
The Chair of the Board of Visitors shall be elevated from the office of Vice Chair/Chair-Elect and elected by the members of the Board of Visitors for a one-year term. He shall be eligible to succeed himself for one additional one-year term. In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of the Chair, the Vice Chair/Chair-Elect shall complete the term of the vacating Chair and shall be eligible to serve two additional, consecutive one-year terms as Chair.
The Vice Chair/Chair-Elect of the Board of Visitors shall be elected by the members of the Board of Visitors for a one-year term. He shall be eligible to succeed himself for one additional one-year term. In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of the Vice Chair/Chair-Elect, the Board of Visitors shall elect a Vice Chair/Chair-Elect to complete the term of the vacating Vice Chair/Chair-Elect. The individual so elected shall be eligible to serve two additional, consecutive one-year terms as Vice Chair/Chair-Elect.
The Secretary of the University Board of Trustees shall serve as the Secretary of the Board of Visitors.
SECTION 3. FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS.
The Board of Visitors shall assist the Board of Trustees and the President in the
overall advancement of the University of South Carolina Columbia, and where appropriate,
the University of South Carolina System. The Board of Visitors, with thorough information
and staff support, will seek to enhance the image of the University and the statewide
system, encourage alumni participation, invite public and private support, and facilitate
internal and external communication. The standing committees of the Board of Visitors
shall be as follows:
- Executive Committee
- Student Affairs Committee
- University Relations Committee
- Advocacy Committee
SECTION 4. BOARD OF VISITORS BYLAWS.
The Board of Visitors is authorized to create and adopt bylaws for its operations;
provided, however, such bylaws shall be subject to the prior approval of the Board
of Trustees.