The University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees met on Friday (Sept. 15). Here’s
a look at the action that they took during the meeting.
USC budget proposal holds down tuition
The board approved a state budget request for the next academic year that prioritizes access and affordability, enhances research and improves health outcomes for South Carolina residents.
The SFY 24-25 budget request will keep tuition flat for in-state students through a continuation of tuition mitigation funds totaling $25.8 million for the Columbia campus and $41.8 million for the entire eight-campus system. USC has not increased tuition for South Carolina students for a record-setting fifth straight year. Other budget requests support additions and improvement of academic spaces, increased investments in STEM areas and multiple initiatives at USC System institutional to address regional needs.
With the approval by the trustees, these requests will be forwarded to the state’s Executive Budget Office later in the month for consideration by the Governor and legislature during the state’s budget process. The university expects to learn of final FY24-25 state budget decisions next spring.
Campus infrastructure projects look to the future
The Finance and Infrastructure committee, followed by the full board, issued a variety of approvals aimed at preparing the physical campus for future development, including:
- Issuance of a request for proposals for capital projects to renovate, replace and construct new student housing
- Acquisition of four parcels of land near the Congaree River
- Issuance of a public request for quotes and proposals as the first step in the state-regulated process for exploring opportunities to create active uses on river- and stadium-adjacent university properties
- Phase II design and construction for implementing energy conservation measures on 1600 Hampton St., Jones Physical Science Center, Close-Hipp, Swearingen Engineering Center and Thomas Cooper Library
- Renovation and expansion of the Athletics Field House to include a new lobby and new restrooms
- Acquisition of 16 acres of land at the BullStreet District for the future health sciences campus
- Renovation of the interior of 1728 College St. for U101
Contracts approved
Two contracts were approved during the meeting. One is an articulation agreement between the College of Engineering and Computing and National Sun Yat-sen University in Taiwan for a dual degree program. The other is a guaranteed energy, water and wastewater conservation services performance contract with Siemens Industry, Inc., which will implement a series of energy conservation measures in five buildings on the Columbia campus.