The University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees approved two strategic plans and several maintenance projects at its meeting Monday (March 18).
Approvals of strategic plans
The board approved strategic plans for two system campuses: USC Aiken and USC Upstate.
In his presentation, USC Aiken Chancellor Dan Heimmermann prioritized five different initiatives:
- Delivering a flexible and relevant curriculum
- Addressing the pressing needs of the region
- Reimagining the composition of the student body
- Enhancing the campus experience
- Bolstering a sustainable foundation
USC Upstate Chancellor Bennie Harris also presented to the board, laying out his focal points:
- Enhanced teaching and learning
- Service and community engagement
- USC Upstate’s graduate and doctoral programs
- Diversity, connection and community
- Market-aligned undergraduate programs, including engineering
- New and emerging technologies
Campus projects
The board approved housing and meal plan rates for the fiscal year 2024-25 while also approving several campus infrastructure projects.
The institutional-funded projects approved Monday include:
- Phase I of the Thomas Cooper Library renovation
- Phase I of the Campus Residential Development (Sumter Street sites)
- Increased the budget for renovations to the East Tower of the Science and Technology building
- Phase I of USC Aiken's soccer field and infrastructure
- Phase II of USC Upstate's Rampey expansion
There also were approvals for other institutionally funded building maintenance projects.
The board approved roof replacements or renovations to the Osborne Administration Building, Close-Hipp, the Graduate Science Research Center and McMaster College as well as an increase for the roof replacement at Wardlaw College.
Trustees also approved maintenance for the 2024-25 fiscal year as well as renovations to Osborne.
Other renovations approved Monday include:
- Lobby and entrance renovations at Sumwalt College
- Relocation of theater practice rooms from Booker T. Washington
- Renovations to the biobehavioral research suite at the College of Nursing
- Roof and column replacements at the Wellness and Fitness Center
- Utility tunnel repair
- Central steam condensate and energy plant repairs and upgrades for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The Board of Trustees also approved renaming USC Upstate’s John M. Rampey Jr. Building to the John M. Rampey Jr. Center for Health and Counseling Services.