- Racial injustice and civic engagement
- COVID-19 updates
- News from the Bursar
- Student Life
- Career Center
- UofSC Parents app
- MyCarolina Alumni Association
- University news
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Dear Gamecock families:
Our hearts are heavy. Our beloved Columbia has experienced what many cities across our country have seen when the call for change reaches a boiling point. My heart is heavy, and I have been overcome with emotions thinking about how some of my dearest friends and colleagues are having to have different conversations with their sons than I have to have with mine.
This has been a tragic week, where we all have watched the hurt and anger on display at the death of George Floyd, an unarmed and restrained Black Man. And we now see cities across our country have erupted in response to racial injustice. It isn’t right and I can’t wrap my head and heart around why it continues to happen.
President Caslen reminded the university community on Sunday night that we will continue enhancing conversations and programs around diversity and inclusion efforts on campus. Beginning this fall, all new students will complete a diversity training module and we will continue expanding training opportunities for all faculty, staff and students across the university. We recognize the importance of training and education, but also know that we must use what we learn to create change in our communities. I hope you’ll read through this entire email and learn about some of the ways we engage students in critical conversations and engagement on campus.
Speaking of fall, we are excited to see June arrive because we know this is the beginning of the many preparations that will go into reopening the university in the fall. We also love June because it’s the beginning of New Student Orientation. Although we will miss hosting many of you and your families on campus this summer, we are excited for the new and innovative ways you will be introduced to the Gamecock community. Let us know how things are going for you – how was your advising appointment? What about Cocky’s Coop? Is your student getting the information they need?
The university continues to make significant preparation for welcoming back students this fall. We will begin phase one of returning employees to work this month. We are working to modify spaces to create physical distancing, rethinking entrances and exits to buildings and reimagining the student experience in light of public health guidelines.
Although we never dreamed this would be our reality, our team in Student Life (and across the university) stands committed to delivering on the promises we have made to you and your student on delivering the exceptional student experience. We know this time gives us an opportunity to rethink student programs, university events, organizational meetings and all other things that happen on campus. We know some of those changes might be the best for our campus long term. Other things will be short term adjustments to navigate this pandemic.
I trust that your families are safe and healthy. Please let us know what we can do to support you and your student in the days and months ahead. Thank you for entrusting us with your student and their academic pursuits and we look forward to seeing you all very soon!
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Anna C. Edwards, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Life
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Racial Injustice and Civic Engagement
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In their
letter to the Carolina Family
on May 31, President Caslen and Dr. Tracey Weldon, Interim Diversity Officer, wrote that "If we are to begin the process of healing the wounds of racism, hate and bigotry that have brought us to this current tipping point, we must engage one another in thoughtful dialogue about our individual and collective experiences. We must do the work of educating ourselves about the harmful impact of racism and discrimination in all of its manifestations."
Following public outcry about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, many have taken to social media to ask how they can better understand – and combat – systemic racism in America. Nicole Cooke, the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair in Childhood Literacy in the School of Information Science, has compiled an
online list of anti-racism resources
for all ages.
Opportunities for Students
In preparation for the fall, encourage your student to explore the many opportunities for engagement, including:
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Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
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The University of South Carolina is working with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to actively monitor the novel coronavirus outbreak and any potential impact to our campus community.
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Campus Access and Student Resources
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Campus Health
Review FAQs, CDC and DHEC updates, quarantine information and screening resources. Visit the
Campus Health section
.
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UofSC COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
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For the safety and well-being of all, we may be more separated physically right now than ever before. But one thing holds true: As Gamecocks, we stand together, always. We are more than 200 years strong, and we will navigate these difficult times together as caring Carolinians.
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Payment Deadline for Fall 2020
Tuition and fees are due by 5 p.m., Aug. 12.
Bills will be available via
Self Service Carolina (SSC)
in mid-July – only after the student registers for classes. Students can estimate fall billing by reviewing the current 2019-2020 tuition and fee schedule. These rates are subject to change, and information for the 2020-2021 academic term will be posted following the Board of Trustees budget approval in late June.
College Savings Plan
Students who will use 529 education savings and trust funds should send a copy of their tuition statement to their plan administrator as soon as possible to ensure funds are disbursed and arrive before the deadline. Payment plan options are available if needed and can be
processed via SSC
. Please note that payment is due immediately for students who register after the payment deadline.
Authorized Users
Students have the ability to assign Authorized Users to their account via SSC. This will allow the Authorized User to view the student's bill, payment history, payment plans, 1098T information, receive emails, as well as speak with the Bursar's Office staff about the student's account. Please note – only the student can set up
Authorized Users on their account
.
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Department of Student Life
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The mission of the
Department of Student Life
is to advance student success by serving as the catalyst for student involvement. We provide opportunities for every student to define a unique involvement story that prepares them to lead and serve as an engaged global citizen.
Gamecock Entertainment
Think your student will be bored this summer?! Encourage them to follow
Gamecock Entertainment
for FREE and FUN activities to keep them busy!
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Help Your Student Maximize Their Summer!
Tuesday, June 23
6:30 p.m.
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Download the Award-Winning UofSC Parent and Family Programs Mobile App
Access university resources when you need the
m —
compiled just for you in one easy-to-use mobile app!
Download the app by searching "University of South Carolina Parents" in the app store or
text the link to your phone
and find out why it has been accessed nearly 200,000 times by UofSC families!
This 24/7 resource is the winner of the 2020 Outstanding Parent and Family Relations Institutional Initiative Award from NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, and a recipient of the 2019 Award of Excellence from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
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MyCarolina Alumni Association
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The Student Alumni Association (SAA) is here to connect students and alumni to advance their careers, leadership skills, and South Carolina tradition.
Our student-designed SAA Spirit Packs support everything we do. For just $25, your student can get four BEAT T-shirts, 12 stickers, and a custom rally towel!
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"Public relations graduate paves a path toward accessibility"
Ask anyone who knows Sarah Massengale to describe her in a word and they might say she’s brazen. Or fearless. Or even stubborn. What they won’t tell you — at least not at first — is that she’s blind. The public relations major is applying her communications knowledge and personal experience by helping the university with its widescale effort to address its digital accessibility.
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The funds that University of South Carolina Dance Marathon (USCDM) raised in 2020 have directly impacted the Child Life Program at Prisma Health Children's Hospital’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Please continue to visit the Parents & Families Gateway for information and resources at
sc.edu/parents
.
Office of Parent & Family Programs
University of South Carolina
Parents Assistance Line: 1-800-868-6752
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