The University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees met Wednesday (June 19), passing the annual budget as well as approving a number of personnel measures and academic initiatives.
Budget approved, in-state tuition holds steady
The approved 2024-25 fiscal year budget allows USC to hold tuition flat for in-state students for a record-setting sixth year in a row and the seventh year in a row for system institutions. Tuition for non-residents is increasing by 3.9 percent.
With USC's continued strong enrollment and financial support from state lawmakers, the budget allows the university to invest in its future without significant increases in tuition. Academic units also will see a net increase of about $50 million under the plan approved Wednesday.
Promotions, tenure for faculty approved
Several personnel measures were approved at USC Columbia:
- Tara Sabo-Attwood was tapped to lead the Arnold School of Public Health with her term as dean beginning Aug. 1.
- Tenure and promotion was approved for 39 faculty members for the Fall 2023 cycle.
- One transfer to a tenured position with rank of associate professor.
- Eight new hires with tenure.
- 10 honorary academic titles for faculty members.
USC’s system and Palmetto College actions for the 2023-24 system cycle included:
- Tenure and promotion for nine faculty members at USC Aiken, four at USC Beaufort, 14 at USC Upstate and four for Palmetto College.
- One approval of a new hire with tenure at USC Aiken.
- One approval of an honorary academic title apiece at Aiken, Upstate and the Palmetto College.
Academic initiatives, approvals
New programs across the USC system approved Wednesday include:
- Post-baccalaureate certificate in Biostatistics (Columbia).
- Undergraduate certificate in Strategic Communications (Aiken).
- Undergraduate certificate and post-baccalaureate certificate in Real Estate (Aiken).
- Undergraduate certificate and post-baccalaureate certificate in Spanish for the Clinical Encounter (Aiken).
- Master of Science in Management Science (Aiken).
- Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education (Beaufort).
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science (Upstate).
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering (Upstate).
- Bachelor of Science in Sport Management (Upstate).
- Education specialist degree in Applied Teacher Leadership (Upstate).
Program modifications approved during Wednesday’s meeting include:
- Changing the curriculum and adding two tracks to the Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis (Columbia).
- For the Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs: changing the name of the concentration in Higher Education Administration to Higher Education Leadership, adding online delivery to the concentration and changing the curriculum (Columbia).
- Adding Beaufort Memorial Hospital site to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Beaufort).
- Adding a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics (Upstate).
Other academic actions approved by the board include:
- Establishing a combination degree with a Master of Science in Business Analytics and a Master in Sport and Entertainment Management (Columbia).
- Program terminations at Columbia: Master of Public Health in Biostatistics, Master of Science in Physical Education.
- 100 percent online delivery for Beaufort’s Master of Education in Literacy.
- Terminating the associate’s degree program of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Beaufort.
- Faculty manual revisions at USC Columbia, Aiken and the Palmetto College.
- The Board of Trustees also approved a voluntary separation plan for USC Upstate.
Facilities projects, contracts approved
Members approved a gift naming along with the comprehensive permanent improvement plan. The designated fund policy review and designated funds budget were also approved.
There were also several infrastructure projects approved, including:
- Phase II for renovations to the Woodrow College residence hall.
- instructional and research lab renovation on the second and third floors of the Jones Physical Science Center as well as renovations to the physics instructional lab.
- Envelope restoration at Longstreet Theatre/Annex.
The board approved 11 contracts on Wednesday:
- Darla Moore School of Business: Academic Cooperation Agreement with U.S. Army Finance and Controller School.
- Licensing agreement between University Libraries and Springer Nature Customer Service Center LLC.
- Cataloging and metadata subscription plus interlibrary loan agreement between University Libraries and OCLC Inc.
- Service agreement between the Department of Technology and Gartner Inc.
- Student housing agreement and conference management system between USC Housing and StarRez Inc.
- Charter flight agreement between USC athletics and Delta.
- Lease with USC DF-West Campus LCC and Parking and Transportation Services.
- Two extensions of agreements, both associated with the School of Medicine Columbia: one with Prisma Health and another with McLeod Health.
- Lease between 411 Huger St. LLC and USC Facilities Planning, Design and Construction.
- Eight job order contracts awarded by USC Facilities Planning, Design and Construction.
Other items
The Board of Trustees recognized outgoing USC Alumni Association President Scott Moïse at Wednesday’s meeting, recognizing her with a resolution as her term ends. The board approved six candidates for the award of honorary degree and for the Board of Visitors.
There were also project and planning updates for the athletics property development RFP solicitation, the Health Sciences Campus, renovations to the Science and Technology East Tower, renovations to Thornwell and improvements to Bull Street Garage.