Three candidates for the position of vice president of advancement visited campus Dec. 6-8, President Andrew A. Sorensen told the Faculty Senate at its meeting Dec. 7.

Sorensen also reported that he has been meeting individually with leaders of the state Legislature about budget proposals. He noted, in particular, that utility costs are "enormously higher" than last year.

"We budgeted for an increase in utilities at the Columbia campus alone of $2.1 million," he said. "We already know that that will be millions of dollars short."

During the Thanksgiving break, Sorensen traveled to New York and New Jersey for meetings with alumni clubs in New York City and Newark. He and Mary Anne Fitzpatrick, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, also met with a large number of high-school students from New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, and suburban New York.

"There was absolutely no question that there is enormously more interest in our school from outside the state and inside the state than previously," Sorensen said. "These are people who have absolutely no ties to the state of South Carolina. No ancestors ever lived here.

"It's truly gratifying to see this increasing interest and having us increasingly perceived as, what they call in the trade, a hot school."

Sorensen also outlined two Independence Bowl packages sponsored by the University. One package includes a nonstop, charter flight from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport to Shreveport, La., Dec. 30; bus transportation to and from the stadium; and a barbecue tailgate party sponsored by the Carolina Alumni Association. The plane will return to Columbia after the game. The cost is $605 and does not include a ticket to the game. Ticket prices are $30, $40, and $125.

The other package includes a chartered flight from Columbia Metropolitan Airport to Shreveport Dec. 28 and will return to Columbia immediately after the game Dec. 30. The cost is $450 and does not include hotel accommodations, meals, and admission to the game.

For more information, call the Carolina Alumni Association or the Athletics Department.

Concerning searches for dean of the School of Law and dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology, Provost Becker said both search committees are in "very active phases."

The search committee for engineering and information technology soon will suggest candidates to invite for campus visits in January. Applications are being received for dean of the law school.

Becker also addressed concerns he has heard from some faculty members that the University's emphasis on research will damage its service mission.

"To put it in a nutshell: Service is important. It should be evaluated and recognized, and it should be rewarded," he said.

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