An important part of attending college often overlooked by students is the opportunity to participate in student activities. The richness of the college experience depends on how much the student is involved in the activities of the institution.

A student is any person who is admitted, enrolled, or registered for study at the University of South Carolina for any academic period. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term but who have a continuing student relationship with the University of South Carolina are considered students.

Office of Student Affairs

The Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs is located in the Sandstone Building on the main campus. Any questions concerning student life, rights, and responsibilities should be directed to the associate dean for student affairs. These areas include: admissions, academic advising and career planning, counseling services, financial aid and scholarship services, intramurals, minority student services, registration, student activities, student employment, student life, student orientation, and student records.

The objectives of the Office of Student Affairs are:

1. to work with faculty and administration to enhance the academic experiences of the students

2. to work in groups and individually with students to encourage participation in their own learning processes

3. to provide opportunities and experiences through student activities in decision making, personal relationships, and value clarification

4. to encourage more participation by students in governing their own affairs and in exercising their freedom to decide what they need

5. to develop all aspects of students’ personal growth.

Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment.

Student Activities

University of South Carolina Beaufort student activities are funded from a portion of student fees at the beginning of each semester. Student activities furnish a chance for students to apply and expand upon their classroom experiences. Distinctive community service and social, media, and academic interests are served by the several clubs and organizations on the USCB campus. The opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in various fields is provided by organizations with academic connections while service organizations provide participation in community affairs and allow students to volunteer support for various worthwhile causes. Student organizations routinely sponsor events for the entire USCB campus as well as for their own membership. In most cases, membership is open to anyone. Students interested in joining student organizations should contact the Office of Student Affairs.

Student Government Association (SGA). The objectives of the USC Beaufort Student Government Association are:

1. to act as a channel through which student concerns and questions may be brought to the University administration

2. to distribute fees paid into the association treasury to the affiliated student organizations and other special projects

3. to encourage a spirit of cooperation and understanding within the University and the community

4. to have representation on appropriate faculty committees at USC Beaufort, and play a role in institutional decision making.

All full- or part-time students registered at the Beaufort campus are members of the SGA by virtue of their registration and subject to its bylaws and statutes.

Every member is encouraged to vote in SGA elections, and every interested and qualified student is encouraged to seek an elected position. All students are invited to attend meetings for the Student Government Association and to make their views known. The SGA plans various social events and assists in developing student policies.

Student Organizations

African-American Student Association. The AASA exists to support academic success among African-American students while also providing the means to address the cultural and social needs of African-American students. The AASA strives to strengthen the relationship between USCB and the African-American community. Membership is open to all students, staff, and faculty.

Business Club. The Business Club was founded to provide business administration majors with opportunities for growth and enhancement in the field of business while also allowing for improved contacts and relations between the University community and the business community of greater Beaufort. Current and former students, as well as faculty and alumni, are eligible for membership.

Chi Delta Chi Honor Society. The purpose of the organization is to promote and recognize academic excellence among currently enrolled veterans and active-duty military.

Education Club. This club was founded to provide education majors with opportunities for growth and enhancement in the field of education as well as providing service to the community.

Environmental Awareness Club. The purpose of the club is to participate and stimulate interest in local environmental endeavors and to provide information on local and regional environments.

Fiction Workshop. This writer’s club is open to anyone interested in exploring various writing techniques and writing in a variety of fiction formats—from short stories to novels.

Gamma Beta Phi. This scholastic, honor, and educational service organization seeks to recognize and encourage educational excellence; to promote the development of leadership, ability, and character in members; and to foster, disseminate, and improve education through appropriate service activities. Membership, by invitation, is open to students who have completed 12 credit hours and are in the top 20 percent of their class.

Poetry Workshop. This club is sponsored by USCB’s Division of Continuing Education. Membership is open to anyone in the community interested in meeting to read, discuss, and write poetry.

Psychology and Sociology Club. The Psychology and Sociology Club is a student organization whose purpose is supporting students of the social sciences in the following areas:

• providing access to information on graduate school programs and prospective job opportunities

• acting as a forum for active dialogue among students and scholars in the fields of psychology and sociology about the distinctive nature, contribution, and issues of each discipline

• creating student solidarity based on similar educational and occupational aspirations

• recognizing students for outstanding scholarly performance in psychology and sociology.

Roges & Vacaboundes. The USCB drama club, Roges & Vacaboundes, is an organization designed for students who are interested in any aspect of theater—including acting, directing, and design. Students also participate with the Rafael Sabatini Players, a community-based theater group that performs in the USCB Performing Arts Center Auditorium. Other activities include workshops in acting, directing, and make-up. Membership is open to any USCB student or interested individuals. The club is facilitated by a coordinator and managed by committees.

Student Activities and Concerns Association. This student organization is active in encouraging student activities and addressing concerns of the student body at the Hilton Head campus site.

Chartering a New Student Organization

Organizations that wish to use University facilities and privileges must be officially recognized through a procedure administered by the associate dean for student affairs through the Student Government Association. The chartering of new student organizations, applications for funding, and use of campus facilities is made during the fall and spring through the Office for Student Affairs. Recognition is obtained by submitting completed registration forms, membership lists, and a constitution.

Students interested in forming a new organization may obtain an Organization Recognition Form to provide the following information:

• name

• purpose

• proposed functions or activities

• proposed budget request of SGA (if any)

• signatures of the student applicant and faculty sponsor.

Official recognition of a student organization does not by itself constitute any type of endorsement, sponsorship, or liability by the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

Intramural Sports

Intramural activities are available to USC Beaufort students on the main campus and at Hilton Head in a variety of sports such as basketball, softball, volleyball, bowling, and golf. Students organize their own teams and submit a list of participants to the associate dean for student affairs (on the main campus) or the site director at Hilton Head. Competition with intramural teams from other USC schools is frequently scheduled. Students desiring to participate in intramural activities or to help organize events should contact the Office of Student Affairs.

Student Recognition, Awards, and Service

Awards and Recognition

University of South Carolina Beaufort students are encouraged to develop their full potential through academic achievement, co-curricular activities, and community service. Each spring USC Beaufort holds an Honors and Awards Ceremony to recognize outstanding academic or civic achievements within the USCB community. Some of the awards include:

African-American Student Association Organization Member of the Year—Awarded to the outstanding member of the USCB African-American Student Association.

Darwin B. Bashaw Award—Named in honor of former USCB dean Darwin Bashaw, this award is presented annually to the outstanding USCB student of the year.

Business Club Member of the Year—Awarded annually to the outstanding member of the Business Club.

Chi Delta Chi Member of the Year—Awarded annually to the outstanding member of the Chi Delta Chi Honor Society.

Dean’s Honor List—This recognition is bestowed upon students who have earned a grade point ratio of 3.50 or higher (3.25 or higher for freshmen) on a minimum of 12 credited semester hours for each semester.

Environmental Awareness Club Member of the Year— Awarded annually to the outstanding member of the Environmental Awareness Club.

Gamma Beta Phi Academic Awards—At the end of each academic year, Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society presents academic awards to students selected by the faculty as having made exemplary achievement in various disciplines.

Gamma Beta Phi Member of the Year—Awarded annually to the outstanding member of Gamma Beta Phi.

President’s Honor List—Academic achievement is recognized at the end of each semester by listing full-time students who have earned 4.00 grade point ratio on a minimum of 12 credited semester hours on the President’s Honor List.

Walter C. Service III Award—This award is presented annually to a mature student who best exhibits enthusiasm for teaching, a caring attitude towards children, and strong leadership potential in the field of education.

Counseling Services

Personal and academic counseling are available on an individual and group basis at both the main campus in Beaufort and at the Hilton Head site. Academic advisement for course study is available at all locations.

Personal counseling is provided for USCB students by professionally credentialed counselors. Among the different areas addressed by the counselors are drug and alcohol problems, adjusting to divorce, relationship difficulties, assertiveness training, building confidence, coping with depression, time management, decision making, communication skills, study skills improvement, and reduction of test anxiety. Any student requiring additional counseling is referred to the appropriate community agency for help. All counseling is confidential, and all services are free. Counseling services may be requested by contacting the Office for Student Affairs.

University Publications

Most of the following publications are produced either by the main USC campus in Columbia or by USC Beaufort. Copies are usually available in student lounges and publication racks. If you are interested in any of these publications and cannot find a copy, please see the associate dean for student services.

APOSTROPHE —This new journal of the arts is published semiannually, providing subscribers with the finest in literature and the arts from the best writers, poets, essayists, and artists throughout the country.

USCB Brief—A newsletter issued monthly by the USCB Communications Office. It includes a variety of topical information relevant to students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

USCB Bulletin—A University publication that lists programs of study, rules and regulations, admissions policies, scholarship information, financial assistance, student activities, and other general academic information for USCB students.

USCB Today—An annual newsletter for alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students of USC Beaufort—highlighting strategic plans and the events of the preceding academic year.

USC Times—A USC newsletter chronicling events and people throughout USC’s eight campuses.

Master Schedule of Classes—Issued each semester, this publication lists the schedule of graduate and undergraduate courses offered at USCB.

Regional Campuses Right to Know and Campus Security Act—A document highlighting policies on sexual harassment, alcohol, the honor code, and grievances.

Student Publications

A variety of mechanisms have been established at USCB to foster good communication on campus. Special-interest bulletin boards are identified and available at different sites for various clubs, organizations, and special interests. In addition, several boards are available to post job opportunities, personal ads, and general notices. Students are also welcome to submit items of interest to the Communications Office for inclusion in the monthly campus newsletter. If you have any questions or suggestions for ways to improve campus communication, please see the associate dean for student affairs.

The Shrimp—USCB’s award-winning student newspaper serves as the historical chronicle of USC Beaufort student life. The paper is published three to four times during the academic year. A student editorial staff and student photographers are responsible for the composition of the newspaper. Students write the majority of articles with special contributions made by faculty and staff.

Literary Publications

Periodic publications are produced by the Poetry Workshop and the Fiction Workshop. For more information about these organizations and their publications, see your English professor.

Student Publications Policy

Decisions regarding the content of student publications are the joint responsibility of the student editor and faculty/staff advisor. Decisions should adhere to South Carolina libel laws and community standards regarding published materials.

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This web site updated September 2001 by Bob Lowder and copyright © 2001-2002 by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina. All Rights Reserved.
URL http://www.sc.edu/bulletin/Beaufort/regulations.html