The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees approved a number of USC Next-related projects and other construction work as well as a new public policy institute on Friday (Oct. 23).
Project approvals
The board approved several projects affiliated with the USC Next master plan:
- Create design plans for a new College of Pharmacy building on the Health Sciences Campus.
- Construct a five-story STEM Innovation and Research Center building on the southwest corner of South Main and Greene streets that will promote collaboration in STEM research and create industry partnerships.
- Demolish the Thomson Building to make way for expansion of the Russell House student union.
Trustees approved a number of other projects across the USC system:
Columbia: Utility plant upgrades; Callcott Building roof replacement; DeSaussure cupola replacement; National Advocacy Center bathroom, roofing and HVAC infrastructure improvements; Radioisotope Research Laboratory (Actinides Lab) renovation; and student residences maintenance — East and South Quads, Bates and Columbia Hall
USC Aiken: Replace and update campus signage to reflect the university’s current branding standards.
USC Upstate: Library HVAC mechanical ductwork replacement, Health Education Complex roof replacement and fire alarm system upgrades in the Olin B. Sansbury, Jr. Campus Life Center, P. Kathryn Hicks Visual Arts Center, Facilities Management Center and University Readiness Center
USC Sumter: Roof replacements on four academic buildings: Anderson Library, Arts & Letters Building, Business Administration and Nettles-Schwartz Building; expand and upfit the Nettles Building as a wellness center; and Anderson Library mechanical and elevator upgrades
Academic approval
Institute for Public Policy: Creation of a new nonpartisan public service statewide resource, the Institute for Public Policy, that will leverage USC faculty expertise to analyze government data to support evidence-informed decision-making by policymakers.
Financial report
Trustees received an update on the university’s finances that shows USC’s strong liquidity and consistent revenue growth offer confidence to invest in upcoming strategic priorities. Favorable financial conditions continue with record applications and enrollment, growth in sponsored research awards, robust state capital appropriations and all-time highs in donor giving. Meanwhile, USC’s endowment reached a record high of $1.32 billion as of June 30, up 15.5 percent over the past year.
Contract approvals
USC Upstate — Mary Black College of Nursing: Services agreement with Assessment Technologies Inc.
Arnold School of Public Health — Center for Community Health Alignment: Services agreement with the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services
USC Athletics Department: Administrative amendment to the athletics director’s employment agreement
Unclassified administrator: Technical amendment to the memorandum of understanding with Harris Pastides