Dr. Jairy Hunter will host the next meeting of the SCICU Board of Trustees at Charleston Southern University on March 2, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. Overnight accommodations are available at the Wingate Inn, 9280 University Blvd., next to the CSU campus. A special SCICU group rate of $89 per night is available by calling the Wingate at 843-553-4444 before February 1.

 

Trustees are asked to let us know your plans for attending this meeting by registering on-line or by contacting Tess Miller at 803-799-7122 or tess@scicu.org.

The 13th Annual Linda B. Floyd South Carolina Campus Safety Conference will be exploring the very timely topic of sexual harassment and violence on college campuses. This year's conference will be based on the most recent legal requirements, best practices, and institutional approaches in Title IX compliance. Campus safety conference participants will gain practical advice and direction and a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities in gender and sexual violence response compliance, especially as it relates to building and maintaining a comprehensive institutional compliance strategy.

 

 The conference will be held February 15-17 at the Marina Inn at Grand Dunes in Myrtle Beach. Program, registration, and accommodations information can be found at http://sccampussafety.com/ . This is an excellent opportunity for student personnel and college administrators as well as campus safety law enforcement professionals to learn from and discuss the issues with their colleagues around the state and region.

 

 The South Carolina Higher Education Foundation, with the assistance of the South Carolina Commission of Higher Education, is responsible for this annual conference that focuses on health and safety issues pertinent to our state's public and private institutions of higher learning.

 

SCICU is pleased to be one of this year's conference sponsors.

SCICU recently distributed $278,000 in scholarship funds to 175 students at the 20 member colleges through the Named Scholars Program. The Named Scholars Program was developed in 1994 to encourage investment in individual student scholars attending participating SCICU member institutions. Investors in the Scholars Program recognize the need to encourage and assist talented and deserving students in their effort to obtain a college degree. These scholarships are awarded annually to students selected by the colleges based on criteria established by the donor. For the 2011-12 academic year, the following companies and organizations have established scholarship programs through SCICU: Bailey Foundation, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, BB&T, Colonial Life, Duke Energy, SCE&G, SC Student Loan Corporation, Sonoco Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, and UPS.

 

SCICU Executive Vice President, Eddie Shannon, stated, "SCICU is delighted to have a partnership with these outstanding companies and organizations enabling us to give these promising students an opportunity for a successful future". Further, Shannon remarked, "Thanks to the generosity of the companies and foundations, we are able to provide scholarships to promote success at private institutions of higher education for deserving students, and do so even in challenging economic times."

College Goal South Carolina is an annual event which helps students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the single most important financial aid form for college-bound students. It is required with applications for federal Pell Grants, the state's Higher Education Tuition Grants, and many other loans, grants, and scholarships.

 

In addition to getting professional help to complete the FASFA, students are provided information on state scholarships programs as well as information about the state's public and private two and four year higher education institutions.

 

This year, College Goal South Carolina events will be held at 17 locations across the state on Saturday, February 18, 2012. Financial aid counselors from area colleges and universities will join with staff from the Commission on Higher Education and community volunteers to assist students and families.

 

SCICU members Claflin University, Columbia International University, and Newberry College will serve as host sites. For additional information, visit www.sccango.org  or www.collegegoalsc.org . The Commission on Higher Education, in cooperation with the host sites, is responsible for College Goal South Carolina.

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.