For the first time, USC supporters will meet on Tuesday this year instead of Wednesday during the third-annual Carolina Day at the Statehouse, sponsored by the Carolina Alumni Association's Carolina Action Network.

The House and Senate usually meet at the same time on Tuesdays but at different times on Wednesdays. Advocates who participated in last year's Carolina Day recommended the change.

"We'll be there for the first time for meetings of both the House and Senate so we can meet with more legislators," said Shelley Dempsey, senior director for University programs with the Carolina Alumni Association.

Carolina Day at the Statehouse gives faculty, staff, students, and friends of the University the opportunity to show their support for USC to members of the S.C. House and Senate. "It's a day to come out and show our legislators, en masse, that we care about the University," Dempsey said.

This year's Carolina Day will begin at 9:30 a.m. March 28 with check-in at the Capital City Club at 1201 Main St. All participants should have pre-registered before check-in, Dempsey said.

Beginning at 10 a.m., University representatives Johnny Gregory and Shirley Mills will lead training sessions to present the University's message to advocates. "You're not going to visit your legislators blindly," Dempsey said. "We will give everyone a suggested message. Even if you've never been to the Statehouse or talked to your legislator, we'll walk you through the process step-by-step. We'll have lots of people returning who are old pros, but we're hoping we'll have new participants as well."

Participants will visit their legislators in their offices, and again this year lobbyists who are USC graduates or with ties to the University will lead the groups. USC students who are interns in the Statehouse also will participate.

"We had a really good response last year when, for the first time, we visited legislators in their offices," Dempsey said. "We'll group advocates ahead of time based on who their legislators are and go over in small groups to their offices. That's one of the reasons we want everyone to register ahead."

Advocates, who will be invited to dress in garnet and black and given pins to wear that read "Today I represent USC," will convene in the Statehouse lobby at noon to meet with members of the Senate and House. After meeting with their representatives, USC supporters will return to the Capital City Club, where President Sorensen will speak. "President Sorensen is a huge supporter of the Carolina Action Network and Carolina Day at the Statehouse," Dempsey said. "He wants to thank people for coming out and spending the day with us."

The day's activities should be finished by about 2 p.m.

Dempsey stressed the importance of pre-registration. Each pre-registered participant will receive an information packet complete with pictures of his or her representative. "It's another way to help when you get to the Statehouse," she said.

To pre-register, go to www.carolinaalumni.org/advocacy or call the Carolina Alumni Association at 7-4111.

Last year, 200 advocated participated in Carolina Day at the Statehouse, many coming from USC campuses around the state. "USC Salkehatchie brought a large group last year, and they were able to speak to the entire delegation that represents their area," Dempsey said. "We're hoping that all the campuses will be involved again this year."

Carolina Day at the Statehouse is the biggest event sponsored by the Carolina Action Network (CAN), a year-round program that helps supporters of the University get involved and act as advocates for USC. Members of the network make personal contact with their legislators through phone calls, letters, e-mail, or personal visits. More information about CAN also is available at www.carolinaalumni.org/advocacy/.

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