News from SCICU, Inc.

The Trustees will review reports for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2011, elect new members, and consider the budget and operational goals for FY 2012. At the luncheon following the meeting, SCICU will recognize the J. Lacy McLean Independent College Student of the Year and the recipient of the Sterling L. Smith Scholarship Award.

Additional information will be sent to all trustees prior to the meeting.

Welcome Tess Miller

Tess Miller, a print journalism major at the University of South Carolina, joins the SCICU team this week as a part-time administrative assistant. A resident of Columbia, Tess is a graduate of Ridgeview High School.

Tess replaces Jennifer Strudwick who accepted a career position with the Mission Hospital System in Asheville, NC. Jennifer, a 2010 graduate of Columbia College, worked with SCICU for four years while attending college.

Tess will assist the staff with publications, events, and general administrative duties. Her e-mail address is tess@scicu.org.

Summer Publications

The 2011 SCICU Statistical Abstract was distributed in July to member colleges and universities, trustees, and higher education officials. The report highlights relevant information in the areas of enrollment, tuition, student financial assistance, and business affairs for the 20 private, non-profit institutions that are members of SCICU.

Later this month, SCICU's College Guide for 2011-2012 will be mailed to school guidance counselors, students and parents, college officials, trustees, and legislators. In addition to a two-page profile on each SCICU member, the College Guide contains facts and figures about independent higher education in South Carolina, information about state and federal financial aid, a feature page on the 2011 Excellence in Teaching Awards, and a discussion on the advantages and benefits of pursuing a postsecondary education at one of South Carolina's outstanding private, non-profit colleges or universities.

Still Time to Make a Difference

August 31 marks the end of SCICU's fiscal year, so there is still time for trustees and friends of independent higher education to make a tax-deductible personal or corporate gift in support of the organization and its mission. For more information contact Eddie Shannon at eddie@scicu.org.

Business Partners- Renewals

SCICU's on-line network of providers offers goods and services to the independent higher education community in South Carolina. The Business Partners program provides a convenient marketplace where SCICU member colleges and universities can preview offerings from some of the top companies in the country.

The following companies have renewed their partnership:

Aramark Higher Education
Frank A. Casagrande Consulting, LLC
Coleman Lew & Associates, Inc.
Edvance360 LMS-SN (Formerly Scholar360)
ScholarBuys

A complete listing of all the Business Partners may be found in the left margin of News & Notes or by clicking on the following link: http://www.scicu.org/scicu-business-partners-listing.

SCICU is a member of the Coalition for College Cost Savings. CCCS is comprised of 26 member organizations in 24 states that collectively serve 600 private colleges and over 1.2 million students across the United States. The organization and staff is dedicated to helping private institutions of higher education improve processes and reduce and contain costs through collaboration.

Because of their membership in SCICU, all of our member schools have access to CCCS's national contracts and services. We are pleased to offer all of the resources of CCCS to our members. Links to the CCCS website can be found in this newsletter and on the Business Partners pages of the SCICU website.

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