Enrollment at SCSU up 39%; President Seeks More Housing
Aug 29, 2016 13:34:29 GMT -5
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Post by aggierattler on Aug 29, 2016 13:34:29 GMT -5
From the Orangeburg Times & Democrat: thetandd.com/news/enrollment-at-scsu-climbs-president-says-housing-space-being-found/article_1b077bb6-bfe0-581b-9c63-0344947c6ad3.html
2016 Enrollment at SCSU climbs 39%; president says housing space being found
By DALE LINDER-ALTMAN T&D Staff Writer
Updated Aug 24, 2016
When South Carolina State University recently welcomed students back for the fall semester, officials ran into a “problem” they haven’t faced in a number of years.
With the enrollment of new students up by 39 percent over last year, the school was scrambling to find dormitory space to accommodate them.
“We maxed out dorms a few weeks ago,” S.C. State President James Clark said after Tuesday’s board meeting. “We had to go to UV (University Village), Campus Corner -- we were looking for other stuff off campus.”
The university has had a policy of letting students pay a higher fee and get private rooms, Clark said. But it always maintained the option that it could refund the extra money and put another student in the room if the space was needed, he said. That’s been done this year.
He said the university is working on the housing problem. Two small dorms, Nix and Rowe, that were being used as office space, are being cleaned, painted and carpeted and will add 56 new rooms, Clark said.
They’ll be ready in two weeks, he said, adding that he thinks that will meet the needs. But students are still registering, Clark said.
The increased number of new students enabled S.C. State to exceed its projected enrollment goal of 2,900 with a total of 2,963 students for the fall semester.
However, the number of returning students was down over last year’s total, Clark said. That decrease was due to the school’s new stricter policy that limits how much money students can owe and still return to class.
More than 500 families were affected by financial difficulties, he said.
Students who owe more than $3,500 are not normally allowed to register for classes until the bill is paid down.
However, S.C. State has implemented a plan where students can apply for a Presidential Promise, which will allow them to “pay down” to a level where they can return, Public Relations Director Liz Mosely said.
Students who qualify receive some S.C. State University Foundation scholarships while some parents or other family members make promises to help the students pay.
Presidential Promises have been implemented in the past, but Clark has added a new twist. This time, it’s not enough for the foundation and family members to take responsibility for the debt. Clark is requiring the students themselves to accept some responsibility.
He makes the promise to help the students, but the students have to take some responsibility, he said.
Depending on how high the debt level is, the student has to commit from 50 to 175 hours of campus service. More than 60 students have been accepted and another 50 have applied for the plan, Clark said.
Clark reported that as soon as work on Nix and Rowe is completed, the university will begin working on the fitness center that’s connected to Truth Hall. It is separate from the dormitory and completely safe, he said, adding that work will be completed on that facility this semester.
Another project that’s already in the works is opening the indoor heated swimming pool in the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center, the president said.
New heating and plumbing have been put in place and the work will be completed within this school year, he said. Plans are also in the works to come up with a policy to make the facility open to the public, Clark said.
In addition, the university is moving forward with plans to beautify the campus, he said.
“Little things make a big difference,” Clark said. "There are so many things that cost little or nothing that can beautify the school."
For example, the fire hydrants have been painted and the buildings are being pressure washed, Clark said. “They’re just attention to detail.”
Also during Tuesday's board meeting, trustees gave final approval to refinancing the debt on Hugine Suites, which is expected to save the university almost $12 million over the life of the loan that expires in 2035.
Contact the writer: dlinder-altman@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5529.
2016 Enrollment at SCSU climbs 39%; president says housing space being found
By DALE LINDER-ALTMAN T&D Staff Writer
Updated Aug 24, 2016
When South Carolina State University recently welcomed students back for the fall semester, officials ran into a “problem” they haven’t faced in a number of years.
With the enrollment of new students up by 39 percent over last year, the school was scrambling to find dormitory space to accommodate them.
“We maxed out dorms a few weeks ago,” S.C. State President James Clark said after Tuesday’s board meeting. “We had to go to UV (University Village), Campus Corner -- we were looking for other stuff off campus.”
The university has had a policy of letting students pay a higher fee and get private rooms, Clark said. But it always maintained the option that it could refund the extra money and put another student in the room if the space was needed, he said. That’s been done this year.
He said the university is working on the housing problem. Two small dorms, Nix and Rowe, that were being used as office space, are being cleaned, painted and carpeted and will add 56 new rooms, Clark said.
They’ll be ready in two weeks, he said, adding that he thinks that will meet the needs. But students are still registering, Clark said.
The increased number of new students enabled S.C. State to exceed its projected enrollment goal of 2,900 with a total of 2,963 students for the fall semester.
However, the number of returning students was down over last year’s total, Clark said. That decrease was due to the school’s new stricter policy that limits how much money students can owe and still return to class.
More than 500 families were affected by financial difficulties, he said.
Students who owe more than $3,500 are not normally allowed to register for classes until the bill is paid down.
However, S.C. State has implemented a plan where students can apply for a Presidential Promise, which will allow them to “pay down” to a level where they can return, Public Relations Director Liz Mosely said.
Students who qualify receive some S.C. State University Foundation scholarships while some parents or other family members make promises to help the students pay.
Presidential Promises have been implemented in the past, but Clark has added a new twist. This time, it’s not enough for the foundation and family members to take responsibility for the debt. Clark is requiring the students themselves to accept some responsibility.
He makes the promise to help the students, but the students have to take some responsibility, he said.
Depending on how high the debt level is, the student has to commit from 50 to 175 hours of campus service. More than 60 students have been accepted and another 50 have applied for the plan, Clark said.
Clark reported that as soon as work on Nix and Rowe is completed, the university will begin working on the fitness center that’s connected to Truth Hall. It is separate from the dormitory and completely safe, he said, adding that work will be completed on that facility this semester.
Another project that’s already in the works is opening the indoor heated swimming pool in the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center, the president said.
New heating and plumbing have been put in place and the work will be completed within this school year, he said. Plans are also in the works to come up with a policy to make the facility open to the public, Clark said.
In addition, the university is moving forward with plans to beautify the campus, he said.
“Little things make a big difference,” Clark said. "There are so many things that cost little or nothing that can beautify the school."
For example, the fire hydrants have been painted and the buildings are being pressure washed, Clark said. “They’re just attention to detail.”
Also during Tuesday's board meeting, trustees gave final approval to refinancing the debt on Hugine Suites, which is expected to save the university almost $12 million over the life of the loan that expires in 2035.
Contact the writer: dlinder-altman@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5529.
wow!!