Volume 15 | Issue 2
February 24, 2023
February 2023 News and Notes
February features
Photo highlights from the second annual S.C. HBCU Day

SCICU President and CEO Jeff Perez joined the presidents, students, and supporters of South Carolina's eight HBCUs at the second annual S.C. HBCU Day celebration at the S.C. State House.

Click here to view photo highlights from S.C. HBCU Day...
SCICU Legislative Spotlight - Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter
Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter
Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter

Democrat - District 95 (Orangeburg)
First elected to the S.C. House in 1992
Longest-serving representative in the S.C. House
First person of color to serve as House Minority Leader (1997-2000)
1st Vice Chair - House Ways and Means Committee
Member - Senate Higher Education Budget Subcommittee

President - National Conference of State Legislatures Executive Committee

B.S., African American History - Florida A&M University, 1973
M.A., American History - Florida State University, 1978

CEO - CASA Family Systems
Licensed social worker for over 44 years
We are honored to feature S.C. Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter in this month's SCICU Legislative Spotlight. We asked Rep. Cobb-Hunter seven questions about herself, her career, and the role higher education played in it.
South Carolina legislative update
  • Good news from Ways and Means regarding Tuition Grants 2023-2024 funding.
  • Blaine Amendment bill passed by the House Judiciary Committee and is now on the House floor for debate.

It's time to remove the Blaine Amendment from the S.C. Constitution
Message from SCICU President and CEO Jeff Perez
Jeff Perez, Ph.D.
SCICU President and CEO
I had the honor of testifying before the House Judiciary Constitutional Law Subcommittee supporting Speaker Murrell Smith's bill that calls for a statewide referendum allowing voters to decide on striking the racist relic Blaine Amendment from the S.C. Constitution.
SCICU President's video testimony in support of striking down the Blaine Amendment
Please click here to watch the YouTube video of SCICU President Jeff Perez's testimony in support of removing the Blaine Amendment from the S.C. Constitution.
Student researchers showcase project findings at the Feb. 16 SCICU Research Symposium
Furman University student researcher Michael McLeod presents his research findings at the Feb. 16, 2023 SCICU Research Symposium.
Furman University student researcher Michael McLeod presents his research findings at the Feb. 16, 2023 SCICU Research Symposium.
Undergraduate student researchers from South Carolina’s private colleges and universities showcased their 2022 project findings at the Feb. 16 SCICU Research Symposium hosted by Milliken & Company at their Spartanburg Customer Center.
SCICU distributes $67,200 in CIC/UPS scholarships to South Carolina private colleges and universities
SCICU has distributed $67,200 in CIC/UPS Scholarships to assist 21 students at private colleges and universities in South Carolina. The scholarships were made possible by a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) in Washington, D.C., through the CIC/UPS Educational Endowment.
SCICU 2023 Infographics
Jan. 25 - Importance of the S.C. Tuition Grants Program
Feb. 1 - Private higher education fuels South Carolina's economy
SCICU's 2023 Infographics continued with messages regarding the importance of the Tuition Grants program and the business impact and economic contributions of SCICU's 21 colleges and universities to South Carolina's economy.
Presbyterian College to host SCICU Board of Trustees meeting March 28
Presidents of SCICU's 21 member colleges and universities will join business and community leaders at Presbyterian College on March 28, 2023 for the SCICU Spring Board of Trustees meeting. Presidents will kick off the day with Presbyterian College President Matt vandenBerg in the SCICU Council of College Presidents breakfast, and will join other trustees at the board's business meeting.

More information will be sent to all trustees regarding schedule, campus locations, and more.
SCICU College/University Campus News 

SCICU presents news from its 21 member colleges and universities. Click here to read college news in the newsroom on the SCICU website.

The following is a sampling of recent news from SCICU campuses:

Allen University

Anderson University

Benedict College

Bob Jones University

Charleston Southern University

Claflin University

Coker University

Columbia College

Columbia International University

Converse University

Erskine College

Furman University

Limestone University

Morris College

Newberry College

North Greenville University

Presbyterian College

Southern Wesleyan University

Spartanburg Methodist College

Voorhees University

Wofford College

Click below to access important information from each of the SCICU member colleges and universities:
School counselors, parents, family members, and friends - It's CRUNCH TIME for college decisions!

The SCICU College Guide is the BEST online tool for making the college decision EASY!

The SCICU College Guide is the best ONE-STOP resource for campus tours, admissions, scholarships, campus life, sports, and more at SCICU's 21 member colleges and universities.

Click here to download your copy of the SCICU College Guide today! Please share it with friends and family, too!
The SCICU Business Partners program provides a convenient marketplace in which SCICU member colleges and universities can preview offerings tailored to the needs of the higher education community in South Carolina.
Enterprise Holdings, with a massive network in 85 countries and more than 7,600 locations, is the largest transportation solutions provider offering car and truck rentals, as well as car sharing and car sales. 




HRP Associates, Inc. is a multidisciplinary environmental consulting engineering firm that can help you in the fields of due diligence, property acquisition, environmental, health and safety compliance, site investigation and remediation, and asbestos, mold, and lead paint consulting engineering.   
Varsity Health assists independent colleges and universities in providing healthcare to students both on main campuses as well as satellite locations. Varsity Health also provides unlimited 24/7 Virtual Student Healthcare as well as ePsychiatry options.




SCICU Business Partners: New and renewing

SCICU welcomes the following new business partner:


SCICU thanks the following business partners for their renewals:


Directory - Click here for a complete list of SCICU Business Partners.
SCICU is a member of the Coalition for College Cost Savings (CCCS). This organization, comprised of 35 member organizations in 33 states, serves more than 1,000 higher education institutions and over 3 million students across the United States. The organization and staff are dedicated to helping private higher education institutions improve processes and reduce costs through collaboration.

All SCICU member colleges and universities have access to CCCS's national contracts and services. More information on this important benefit may be found here.
News & Notes is published by the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. Please send all comments or questions to SCICU President & CEO Jeff Perez at jeff@scicu.org or 803-799-7122. Mailing address: PO Box 12007, Columbia, SC 29211.