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Volume 9, Issue 6 - July 2017
In This Issue:
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Scholarships and Grants Receive Small
Increase In FY 2017-18 Budget
COLUMBIA, SC -- The General Assembly appropriations for SC higher education fell short of SCICU's goals in the FY 2017-18 budget. Legislators approved $500,000 for the need-based Tuition Grants program and $500,000 for the state's need-based grant program.
The Tuition Grants Commission had requested $5.3 million to increase the maximum individual award from $3,200 to $3,650. CHE requested $1.1 million for the state program. The House version of the budget did not provide additional funds for either program, while the Senate version recommended $1.3 million for each program.
Because the Tuition Grants Commission receives approximately 16% of the total appropriations of the state's need-based grant program, the Commission will receive an additional $80,000 for Tuition Grants in FY 2017-18. The modest increases to both programs are not sufficient to raise the maximum Tuition Grant above the current $3,200 figure.
The House and Senate fully-funded the merit scholarship program to include adding more than $14.5 million to cover the cost of approximately 6,300 additional students who qualified for scholarships after the high school grading policy was changed last fall from a 7-point to a 10-point scale.
PASCAL, the higher education academic library consortium, was added to the budget as the #2 priority for up to $1.5 million in unclaimed excess lottery funds. Gov. McMaster vetoed this line item and similar ones, preferring to carry lottery revenue in excess of estimates forward into the next year and be used for scholarships.
The General Assembly will return in January 2018 to consider vetoes, but with or without the veto, it is unlikely that PASCAL will receive any funds this year because there will not be sufficient excess funds to cover allocations.
In a year when revenues were flat, legislators were challenged to find funding not only for the day-to-day operations of state government, but also for exceptional demands such as $150 million to shore up the underfunded state pension plan, $68 million for Hurricane Matthew relief, and almost $30 million to accelerate the replacement of school buses. It proved to be a difficult budget year for higher education.
Click
here to read this post on the SCICU website.
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Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis Named
14th President of Benedict College
COLUMBIA, SC -- The Benedict College Board of Trustees announced June 30 that Dr. Roslyn Artis will become the 14th President of Benedict College on September 1, 2017. She will become the first female President in the College's 147-year history. Dr. Artis brings to the Midlands College an impressive mix of higher education and corporate experience.
As President of Florida Memorial University, she led an unprecedented academic innovation of several programs, expansion of online courses, and developed new majors in high-demand fields. Additionally, she created academic centers of excellence and updated the University's technology infrastructure and website. She led the development of the University's Five-Year Strategic Planning Process and increased grant writing productivity.
Since assuming the FMU presidency in 2013, unrestricted gifts increased 20% (year over year), restricted gifts increased by 38%, and revenue from grants and sponsored research increased by 22%. Dr. Artis is also credited with soliciting and receiving the largest gift from a single donor ($3.8 M) in the institution's history. She completed construction on a state-of-the-art Science Annex and a comprehensive Athletic Facility and Wellness Center on campus. Dr. Artis initiated and consummated strategic partnerships and collaborations between the University and external public and private entities for the purpose of revenue generation and the visibility for the institution.
Dr. Artis is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, where she earned a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Policy. She also holds a Juris Doctorate degree from West Virginia University College of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from West Virginia State University. Additionally, she holds a Certificate of Fundraising Management from Indiana University and a Certificate of Mastery in Prior Learning Assessment from DePaul University.
Click
here to read this post on the SCICU website.
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Leadership Changes at SCICU
Colleges and Universities
The beginning of a new academic year often brings changes to college campuses. This year in particular, SCICU members saw a large number of new presidents and interim presidents step into leadership roles, as follows:
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Allen University
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President
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Dr. Ernest McNealey
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Benedict College
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Interim President
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Dr. Ruby Watts
(Dr. Artis September 1)
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Columbia College
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Interim President
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Dr. Carol Moore
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Columbia International University
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President
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Dr. Mark Smith
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Erskine College
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President
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Dr. Robert Gustafson
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Morris College
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Interim President
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Dr. Leroy Staggers
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North Greenville University
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President
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Dr. Gene Fant
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SCICU wishes all new presidents the very best as they take on the many challenges of leading independent liberal arts institutions in the 21st century.
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Harrison Named Executive Director
Of SC Tuition Grants Commission
COLUMBIA, SC --
The South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission is proud to announce the appointment of Ms. Katherine (Katie) Harrison as Executive Director effective June 30, 2017.
Ms. Harrison obtained her Bachelor's degree from Oglethorpe University, a private liberal arts institution in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. Katie has extensive experience and expertise in Tuition Grants administration, having worked as the Commission's Deputy Director since 2009. Prior to joining the Tuition Grants Commission, she worked in the student financial aid field for 11 years, holding positions at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Lander University, the University of South Carolina, and South Carolina Student Loan Corporation. In 2007, the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition published Ms. Harrison's featured article entitled "Financial Literacy Initiatives on Today's Campuses: Strategies for Student Success" in their newsletter,
E-Source for College Transitions.
Katie is an active member of the South Carolina Association of Student Financial Administrators (SCASFAA). The Association honored her with the Emerging Leader Award in 2010 and the Achiever Award in 2016. She has served SCASFAA as President and Secretary, in addition to volunteering for and chairing a number of committees since joining in 2002. She chaired the Association's 50th Anniversary Conference in 2016. Katie has also represented the state of South Carolina on the Executive Board of the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA) and continues to be an active member of that Association. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs (NASSGAP) as Secretary, and she is also a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals. In 2015, at the invitation of former First Lady Michelle Obama's Reach Higher Education Initiative, Katie represented the state of South Carolina at a FAFSA convening of higher education administrators from across the country, which was held at the White House.
Katie and her husband, Jayson, have been married for 20 years. Their daughter, Sarah (19), is studying Studio Art at Converse College, and their son, Jake (15), is a student in the Environmental Academy at Spring Hill High School.
"The South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission is thrilled to have Ms. Katie Harrison leading the Commission," says Ms. Elizabeth Dinndorf, Commission Chair. "With her considerable experience and expertise in the Tuition Grants program, she will provide exemplary leadership to the Tuition Grants Commission. Ms. Harrison succeeds Mr. Earl Mayo, who is retiring as Executive Director after over 22 years of leadership and service to the Commission, and over eight years as director. The Commission thanks Mr. Mayo for his service and congratulates Ms. Harrison on her appointment."
Katie is the fifth Executive Director in the agency's 47-year history and is the first female to hold the position.
Please click
here to read this on the SCICU website.
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Duke Energy Foundation Continues Support of SCICU with $79,200 Scholarship Gift
COLUMBIA, SC - A $79,200 gift from the Duke Energy Foundation to South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. (SCICU) will provide higher education scholarships and undergraduate research opportunities to deserving South Carolina students.
"Education has always been a focal point of our commitment to corporate giving," said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy's state president in South Carolina. "We are proud to continue our decades-long partnership with SCICU - an organization that continues to make a difference in the lives of so many students in the Palmetto State."
"Duke Energy has been a supporter of South Carolina's independent colleges and universities for 62 years, and we are extremely grateful to receive such a generous gift to provide scholarships to talented students with financial need," said Eddie Shannon, executive vice president of SCICU. The $79,200 gift will provide $1,200 scholarships in 2017-18 in the name of Duke Energy to 66 students at SCICU's eleven member colleges located in the Duke Energy service area.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provides more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation's education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.
Click
here to read this post on the SCICU website.
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SCICU's FY 2016-17 Deadline
Approaching For Support
Of SCICU Member Institutions
COLUMBIA, SC - With increased federal and state funding pressure on higher education, supporting South Carolina's independent colleges and universities is now more important than ever. There are less than 60 days remaining in SCICU's 2016-17 fiscal year (ends on August 31, 2017), and continued support of SCICU's twenty (20) member colleges and universities is critical.
Opportunities to financially support SC independent higher education through SCICU are still available for fiscal year 2016-2017. 100% of funds raised by SCICU is dedicated to the support of the twenty (20) member colleges and universities and their students. These opportunities include the following:
- SCICU Scholars Program
- Board of Trustees Scholarship Awards
- Student/Faculty Undergraduate Research Program
- SCICU Annual College Guidebook
- Independent College and University Week
- Excellence In Teaching Awards
- Annual College Campus Tour
- Discretionary Scholarships
Making a gift to SCICU has never been easier. Simply visit the SCICU website (scicu.org/donate) and follow the directions to make an online gift through PayPal. This link also supports gifts made via your major credit card.
For additional information on SCICU giving opportunities, please call Eddie Shannon today at 803-799-7122. Please make your gift today!
Click
here to read this post on the SCICU website.
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SACSCOC Grants Bob Jones University
Regional Accreditation
GREENVILLE, SC - On June 15, 2017, the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) granted Bob Jones University membership as an accredited institution.
"Being granted regional accreditation is one of the biggest milestones in Bob Jones University's 90-year history," says BJU President Steve Pettit. "We set out to obtain regional accreditation and strengthen our mission and, by God's grace, we've accomplished both objectives."
Regional accreditation benefits students in specific ways. It makes it easier to transfer credits and be admitted to more graduate schools. It will show prospective employers a BJU education meets high standards and equips our graduates with skills needed in today's world, and it could help graduates entering a profession where a regionally accredited degree is required for licensure or employment.
"We're deeply grateful for our faculty and staff and proud of what they've accomplished through this process," says Dr. Gary Weier, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. "We believe regional accreditation reassures parents, prospective and current students, employers and other universities that Bob Jones University provides a high quality education."
Prior to applying for membership with SACSCOC, BJU implemented a number of enhancements including a new board and governance structure, new academic programs in health sciences, curriculum updates, intercollegiate athletics, and a completely renovated dining facility.
During the process, BJU benefitted from evaluations provided by two peer review committees comprised of faculty and senior administrators from other SACSCOC-member colleges and universities.
BJU holds national accreditation through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) and is authorized to operate and grant baccalaureate and advanced degrees by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. BJU's engineering program is accredited by ABET, its teacher preparation programs hold state accreditation and its nursing program has full approval from the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina.
BJU is a member of the American Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries, the Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges, the Education Advisory Board and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Click
here to read this post on the SCICU website.
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Furman University to Host SCICU Fall Board of Trustees Meeting September 26
The event will start with the Council of Presidents breakfast at 9:00 a.m. The Board's Fall business meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. New trustees will be introduced at the business meeting. Lunch will follow at 12 noon.
Additional information regarding the event will be communicated soon to all Board members and Presidents.
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SCICU curates news from its twenty member colleges and universities. Click
here to read college news on the SCICU website.
The following is a sampling of recent member college news:
Anderson University
Claflin University
Coker College
Click below to access important information on each of the SCICU member colleges and universities:
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The 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.
SCICU welcomes the following new Business Partner:
SCICU recognizes the following Business Partner for its renewal:
Directory - Click
here
for a complete list of Business Partners, or access information on individual Business Partners via the links shown below.
ABM Building Solutions, LLC
| Acumen IT, LLC | Affinity LTC, LLC (Genworth Financial) |
American Student Assistance
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Aramark Higher Education
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Blackboard Inc.
| Cantey Tech Consulting |
CapinCrouse LLP
| Church Mutual Insurance Company |
Coleman Lew + Associates
| Collegiate Financial Services |
Craig Gaulden Davis
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CSI Leasing, Inc.
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e-Procurement Services, LLC
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e2Campus
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eBridge Business Solutions LLC
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eDocHome.com
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Elliott Davis Decosimo
| ETC Consulting, LLC |
Find Great People, LLC
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First American Education Finance
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Gillis Specialty Adverstising
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Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA
| Howard Techonology Solutions |
HRP Associates, Inc.
| Hypersign, LLC |
INSITE
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McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
| Metadata IT LLC |
Metz Culinary Management
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Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting
| National Mangement Resources Corporation | Paymerang (fka AP Advantage) | Pioneer College Caterers |
Pollock Company
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Professional Insurance & Investment Associates
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Purple Briefcase
| S2K |
SC Student Loan Corporation
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ScholarBuys
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Sodexo
| Spirit Communications |
Stalwart Systems Group
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STEM Premier
| The Payments Company |
Total Comfort Solutions
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UnitedHealthcare Student Resources
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Verizon
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Vulcan Materials Company
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Walsh Consulting Group LLC
| Wells Fargo Insurance Services |
Winthrop Resources IT Leasing
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Wyche, PA
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SCICU is a member of the Coalition for College Cost Savings (CCCS). This organization, comprised of 33 member organizations in 30 states, serves more than 900 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.
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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 [email protected] or 803-799-7122. Mailing address: PO Box 12007, Columbia, SC 29211.
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