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2009
March 20
Public Policy Committee Meeting
10:00 a.m. at SCICU Office
April 3
Chief Academic Officers Meeting
10:00 a.m. at SCICU Office
April 17
Library Directors Meeting
10:00 a.m. at SCICU Office
April 20-24
Independent Higher Education Week
April 21
Excellence in Teaching Awards Dinner (Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center)
April 22
Independent Higher Education Day (State House)
June 8
SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission Meeting
10:30 a.m. at SCICU Office
June 15-19
Guidance Counselor Campus Tour
August 27
Finance Committee Meeting
10:00 a.m. at SCICU Office
September 10
Executive Committee Meeting
10:30 a.m. at SCICU Office
September 24
Board of Trustees Meeting
10:30 a.m. at Southern Wesleyan University
Central, SC |
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February may be the shortest month, but for SCICU, it is one of the most active. Three events celebrating and recognizing the value of independent higher education in South Carolina were held last month. Each event took months of planning and preparation, and the success of each was a direct result of the hard work of the SCICU staff and the support and assistance of our colleagues at member institutions, students, and trustees.
 The 16th Annual Interview Day was held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on February 12. Approximately 230 students from 17 SCICU institutions were matched with employment representatives from 27 companies. While the number of employers was down because of the faltering economy, there still were plenty of opportunities for graduating seniors. The campus career services directors did an outstanding job preparing the students and coordinating the interviews, and everyone enjoyed the more spacious venue.
 On February 19, the BMW Zentrum Visitors Center served once again as the site of the SCICU Student Research Symposium. Working with their faculty advisors, 39 students from 12 member colleges and universities presented the results of their SCICU-sponsored research projects in such disciplines as biology, chemistry, environmental science, medicine, religion, psychology, and the fine arts. Through the generosity of friends and supporters of SCICU, grants totaling $98,583 made it possible for these students to gain valuable experience in independent study.
 More than 70 trustees, guests, and staff gathered at the Wild Dunes Resort on February 22 and 23 for the SCICU Board of Trustees Retreat. Held once every two years, the retreat provides an opportunity for board members from the community and college and university presidents to explore in greater detail relevant issues in higher education and to promote a better understanding of the many accomplishments, challenges, and opportunities experienced by South Carolina's independent institutions of higher learning.
In addition to reports from the colleges and universities represented at the meeting, the program included individual presentations by Dr. David Shi, president of Furman University, Dr. David Warren, president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Mr. Converse Chellis, SC State Treasurer (pictured above), and Mr. Ken Wingate, chairman of the SC Commission on Higher Education. The retreat concluded with a Board of Trustees business meeting.
Participants who completed satisfaction surveys after the retreat overwhelmingly approved of the new two-day format (down a day and a night from previous years) and the continuation of the event. Those attending were very pleased with the accommodations, events, speakers and the value of the experience.
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State Budget Moves to the Senate
 Last week the House passed its version of the FY 2009-2010 state appropriations bill and sent it to the Senate. The budget was balanced using federal stimulus money, reducing aid to local governments, and cutting many state agencies back to FY 2006 levels in order to offset the loss of over $1 billion in general fund revenue.
The good news for independent colleges and universities is that the general funds and lottery appropriations for student tuition grants were funded at last year's level. In addition, the House added $2 million for need-based student aid to the budget of the Higher Education Commission. On a proportional basis, the Tuition Grants Commission will receive approximately $362,000 in additional funding.
The House also made a commitment to fully-fund the LIFE scholarships, and revenue projections from the Higher Education Lottery look like they will sustain the Palmetto Fellows, HOPE, and Lottery Assistance programs. PASCAL did not receive any additional funding.
Our focus now shifts to the Senate. The Tuition Grants Commission will make its budget presentation to the Higher Education Finance subcommittee on March 17. The challenge in the Senate will be even greater because one day after the House approved the budget, the Board of Economic Advisors cut revenue projections for FY 2010 another 1%. This means that the Senate must reduce state spending by another $64 million.
Lobbying efforts continue as we attempt to hold the gains made in the House and to secure more funding for PASCAL. Please contact Mike LeFever (mike@scicu.org) to add your voice in support of independent higher education in South Carolina. |
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Voorhees College Captures Service Learning Award
 Dr. Bernard Moses, Ms. Teesa Brunson and Mr. Kenneth Wingate, Chair, Commission on Higher Education
Voorhees College received the 2008-2009 Service Learning Award presented by the Commission on Higher Education. Participating in the independent college category, Voorhees received the award last month for its Student Volunteer Income Tax Program directed by Dr. David Caslan. This program provides tax services to senior citizens of the Bamberg County area free of charge. Junior and senior level students who have successfully completed Accounting Tax One and Two are encouraged to participate in this program. These students obtain hands-on experience while they apply theory from the classroom to practice in a social environment. On average, each student is supervised while completing 45-50 senior citizens' personal tax returns. The project targets low income senior citizens who would forego filing without this service, thus losing possible refund benefits. |
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Coker College Names New President
 Dr. Robert L. Wyatt, dean of the Breech School of Business Administration at Drury University in Springfield, MO, has been named Coker College's 16th president. He will succeed President B. James Dawson on July 1, 2009. Dr. Dawson is retiring in June after serving as president for seven years.
Dr. Wyatt began teaching at Drury in 1996, during which time he was named a Sam Walton Fellow and co-founded the university's Students in Free Enterprise program. He also served as associate dean for the university's College of Graduate and Continuing Studies before beginning to direct the daily operations of the business school in 2001. Before his career at Drury University, Dr. Wyatt was dean of the McAfee School of Business Administration at Union University in Jackson, TN.
A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, Dr. Wyatt has a master's degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Memphis.
We look forward to Dr. Wyatt's active participation in SCICU once he arrives on campus. |
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New Name...Same Mission
On February 20, the Board of Trustees voted to amend the bylaws to change the name of the Corporate Support Committee to the Development Committee. Committee Chair Charlotte Berry explained that while the support of the corporate community is critical to the success of SCICU, the organization enjoys broad and deep support from all sectors. The new committee name is more inclusive and underscores the mission of the committee to develop a wide range of resources in support of independent higher education in South Carolina.
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News & Notes is published by the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. Please send all comments or questions to SCICU President & CEO Mike LeFever at mike@scicu.org or 803-799-7122. Mailing address: P.O. Box 12007, Columbia, SC 29211 |
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