The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees met Thursday (March 19) and approved a number of new construction and renovation projects, and received updates on the university’s master plan, including potential developments on South Main Street.
USC Next, South Main Street and Sumter Street residential updates
The board received an update on construction and renovation tied to USC Next, the university’s master plan. Trustees received summaries of work planned through 2030 with the goals of revitalizing areas around historic Horseshoe and improving student life.
Preliminary planning is ongoing for developing two potential six-story buildings on Main Street just south of the S.C. State House, each with street-level student-oriented retail. The South Main Street corridor also will include a new STEM building under design at the corner of Main and Greene streets.
Work has begun on two student housing projects on Sumter Street — the former McBryde site and Honors College residence expansion. Sumter Street between Greene and Blossom streets will close this summer to accommodate a tower crane.
Project approvals
- Neurological hospital and rehabilitation center construction: Formal approval was given to the state’s first standalone medical facility fully dedicated to care of the brain and nervous system.
- Wellness and Fitness Center renovation: The main campus recreation center will undergo remodeling and add 55 percent more floor area.
- Parking repairs: A multi-year effort will repair campus parking garages and lots.
- Capstone renovations: Planned work includes modernizing student rooms and replacing infrastructure that would extend the life of the residential tower.
Renovation project approvals
- Landscaping the area behind the 300 Main Street Building of the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing for beautification and recreation.
- Repairing HVAC systems at 1600 Hampton Street, Earth and Water Sciences, College of Nursing, Close Hipp, Coker Life Sciences and Graduate Science Research Center.
- Repairing and updating elevators at the McCutchen House, Calcott and 1244 Blossom Street.
- Replacing roofs at the East Energy Plant, School of Music and Sumwalt College.
Trustees celebrate America 250 and USC 225th anniversary
The USC Board unanimously adopted a resolution in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 225th anniversary of the founding of USC. Trustees expressed gratitude to national, state and university leaders who work to preserve democratic principles. The board committed to fostering education opportunities focused on civic responsibility.
Housing and meal fees
Trustees approved fee changes for housing and meals for the 2026-27 school year. On the Columbia campus, the average housing fee will increase by 3.4 percent and meal plan fee will rise by 4.1 percent. Housing and meal fees also will rise on USC’s system campuses.
Academic approvals
- Tenure/honorary academic titles: Two new faculty hires with tenure in the Arnold School of Public Health and McCausland College of Arts and Sciences; and seven honorary academic titles in the College of Pharmacy, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, and School of Medicine.
- Program name changes: B.A., media arts to B.A., film and media, and M.A., media arts to M.A., film and media.
- New certificate: Postbaccalaureate certificate in asset management in hospitality.
- Dual degrees: M.A., journalism and mass communication with masters in global communication and innovation technology at National Chengchi University in Taiwan, and M.M.C., journalism and mass communication with masters in Global. Communication and Innovation Technology at National Chengchi University in Taiwan.
- 100% online delivery: M.A., international studies.
- USC Aiken: New certificates — Undergraduate certificate in entrepreneurship and undergraduate certificate in human resource operations.
- USC Beaufort: New hire with tenure — Department of Business, Hospitality, and Communication Studies; and Program termination — B.A., Spanish.
- USC Upstate: New certificates — Undergraduate certificate in community health policy and research, undergraduate certificate in foundations in community health promotion and undergraduate certificate in public health preparedness.
Contract approvals
- USC facilities design and construction: Building envelope and moisture protection services — Midwest Maintenance Inc., Mar Construction Company Inc. and First Class Construction; Large boiler high-pressure utility system — C & C Boiler Sales & Service Inc., Hammerhead Utilities LLC, McCarter Mechanical Inc. and MSI Construction; Underground utility — Forest and Wildlife Innovations Inc., McCarter Mechanical Inc., Hammerhead Utilities LLC and McClam & Associates Inc.
- USC athletics department: Amendment to the agreement with assistant football coach Michael Furrey.
- Joseph F. Rice School of Law Library: West Publishing Company (Thomson Reuters) – Subscription agreement
- USC School of Medicine Columbia: Prisma Health Medical Group Midlands — Professional services agreement
- University of South Carolina: Microsoft educational solutions programs