The 2013 SCICU Biennial Retreat for trustees and their guests is scheduled for February 24 and 25 at the Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms. Trustees are encouraged to register for the event using the information form to be mailed this week or may choose to register on-line. 

The college and university presidents will meet at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, February 24. Later that evening, the trustees and their guests will enjoy a reception and dinner in the Sweetgrass Pavilion. On Monday, the morning will begin with a Board business meeting, followed by presentations on current issues in higher education. The retreat will conclude with lunch and updates from the college presidents.

Those trustees who want to arrive early and enjoy the resort's recreational activities should contact Eddie Shannon. Additional information about the resort's facilities is available from Brenda Torrence. A complete program and information about the speakers will be sent after the first of the year.

Representatives from 19 of SCICU's 20 members met in Columbia recently to plan advocacy efforts for the 2013 legislative session. During the meeting, the campus legislative coordinators heard an update from Earl Mayo, executive director of the SC Tuition Grants Commission, and a report on the results of the 2012 general elections from SCICU lobbyist Darrell Campbell.

Lisa VanRiper of NGU and Mike LeFever

SCICU President Mike LeFever told the group that the organization's #1 priority is to secure an additional $1.6 million in recurring funds for the Tuition Grants Commission. The Commission requested the increase so that it may sustain maximum grant awards at the $2800 per year level. An additional appropriation of $2.15 million in one-time surplus lottery funds in FY 2013 allowed the Commission to increase the maximum by $200 this fiscal year.

SCICU's second priority is to work with its many partners to advocate for full funding of Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, and Lottery Tuition Assistance scholarships to all eligible students. Similarly, SCICU supports the budget request of the Commission on Higher Education to maintain funding for need-based scholarships at least at the current FY 2012-13 funding level to include making permanent the $4.0 in non-recurring lottery funds appropriated for the current fiscal year.

Finally, if new state revenues are not sufficient to restore core funding to PASCAL, SCICU advocates for funding PASCAL at the current level of $164,289 in general appropriations and up to $1.5 million as a first priority in excess unclaimed lottery prize funds. In FY 2012-2013, PASCAL received $1.25 million in lottery funds.

A main component of SCICU's advocacy efforts is the student letter writing campaign. Each year recipients of tuition grants send personal letters to their local legislators. In the letters, the students thank the legislators for the financial assistance and tell them, in individual terms, how the grants have made a difference in the students' ability to attend the college of their choice.

Before discussing the 2013 campaign, SCICU Executive Vice President

Chris Roberson of SMC and Mike LeFever

Eddie Shannon recognized two schools that had outstanding 2012 letter writing campaigns. Students at North Greenville University were responsible for writing 1830 letters, and 82% of the tuition grant recipients at Spartanburg Methodist wrote letters. The college with the most improved program was Benedict College. Dwayne Smiley, director of governmental relations at Benedict, explained the keys to the college's improved efforts.

The student advocacy campaign will culminate with SCICU State House Day on April 17, 2013. On that day, students at independent colleges and universities will assemble at the State House to meet with their legislators and thank them personally for their support of the Tuition Grants program.

Throughout the month of October, high schools across the state hosted College Application Day events to assist students with the college application process. Organized by the SC Commission on Higher Education, it is estimated that 152 high school programs reached as many as 32,178 students with each student completing one or more applications to colleges or universities. Community volunteers, including students, staff, and faculty from independent colleges and universities, helped to facilitate the events.

The goal of College Application Month is to provide a forum for all South Carolina high school seniors to complete and file college applications. While much of the focus of College Application Month is geared toward first-generation college students and students who may not otherwise apply to college, the event is open to all students.  

A similar program, College Goal SC, is scheduled for February 23, 2013. At this event, volunteers will help high school students complete the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FASFA), the first step towards qualifying for scholarships and other student financial assistance.

For more information about what South Carolina is doing to promote college access, go to the South Carolina Can Go to College (SC CAN) website.

The 2012 Campus Tour Group

During the week of June 17-20, 2013, SCICU is sponsoring a guided tour to ten of its member colleges for high school level professionals and career specialists.  

 High school professionals will have the chance to walk the campuses and meet with admissions and financial aid staff, faculty, and students to gain first-hand knowledge of South Carolina's most outstanding non-profit, liberal arts institutions.

In addition to improving high school level teachers, guidance counselors and coaches' ability to counsel college-bound students, SDE recertification or LPC credit is available upon the successful completion of all course requirements.  

The 2013 tour will visit Benedict College, Charleston Southern University, Claflin University, Columbia College, Erskine College, Furman University, North Greenville University, Presbyterian College, Southern Wesleyan University and Voorhees College.

If you have any questions, please Tess Miller.