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Presbyterian College to host SCICU Board of Trustees meeting March 28

March 21, 2023 By SC Independent Colleges & Universities

Presbyterian College - Neville Hall

Presbyterian College – Neville Hall

Presidents of SCICU’s 21 member colleges and universities will join business and community leaders at Presbyterian College on March 28, 2023 for the SCICU Spring Board of Trustees meeting. Presidents will kick off the day with Presbyterian College President Matt vandenBerg in the SCICU Council of College Presidents breakfast, and will join other trustees at the board’s business meeting.

Detailed information will be sent to all trustees regarding schedule, campus locations, and more.

Filed Under: scicu-news-releases

Congratulations to Furman on a bracket-busting return to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

March 21, 2023 By SC Independent Colleges & Universities

With a buzzer-beater three point shot, Furman upset Virginia in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Furman guard JP Pegues (middle) sealed the win for the Paladins with a three-point shot in the final 2.2 seconds of the game against the Virginia Cavaliers. Photo courtesy Jeremy Fleming-Furman University.

With a three-point shot heard around the world, No. 13 seed Furman Paladins roared back into the NCAA’s Men’s Basketball Tournament and took out the No. 4 seed Virginia Cavaliers with a 68-67 upset win in the first round of the NCAA Mens’ Basketball Tournament.

JP Pegues, a sophomore guard from Nashville, Tenn. sealed the win for the Paladins with a three-point shot with 2.2 seconds left in the game. Forward Jalen Slawson from Summerville, S.C. led the Paladins with a double-double: 19 points and 10 rebounds. Three more Paladins joined Slawson scoring more than 10 points each: guard Marcus Foster (14), guard Mike Bothwell (11), and JP Pegues (11).

Sports outlets, including ESPN and The New York Times, reported that this upset was the most probable among all first-round matchups. Click here to read about Furman math professors’ decade of predicting NCAA tournament upsets and how major news outlets incorporate the Furman modeling in their bracket predictions.

The March 16 victory advanced the Paladins to a second-round matchup with No. 5 seed San Diego State Aztecs at the Amway Center in Orlando. The Aztecs stopped the Paladins’ tournament run by handing them a 75-52 loss.

The Paladins earned a berth in the NCAA 2023 tournament by winning the Southern Conference Tournament with an 88-79 victory over University of Tennessee -Chattanooga. This marks the first time in 43 years the Paladins advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Filed Under: scicu-news-releases

Do you really need a college degree?

March 21, 2023 By SC Independent Colleges & Universities

SCICU President and CEO Jeff Perez

L. Jeffrey Perez, Ph.D.
SCICU President and CEO

Message from SCICU President and CEO Jeff Perez –


Lately there’s been a lot written questioning the value of a four-year college education. Here’s the headline from a story in Fortune: “Many Gen Zers don’t believe they need a college degree for a successful career. They might be right.” The story goes on to note this generation is most interested in flexibility and passion-driven work, followed by financial security.

The story also reports the tight job market is pressuring companies to consider “skills-based hiring” rather than requiring a college degree. In 2016, IBM coined the term “new collar jobs” meaning those that require specific, teachable skills rather than a degree – what used to be called “on the job training.”

Put the desires of young people together with the willingness of companies to accommodate them and you end up with many employees who went straight to work and are very satisfied …now.

I don’t think the Fortune headline’s right. They may end up with a good job in the short term, but not a successful career. And they may not be happier for it.

Consider another story, this one in the Washington Post: “Drop in college enrollment threatens to cause long-term economic, social consequences.” It notes the following ills resulting from a lower college-attending rate: “Slower economic growth. Continued labor shortages. Lower life expectancy. Higher levels of divorce. More demand for social services, but less tax revenue to pay for it.”

The WaPo story quotes Jason Lane, dean of Miami University’s College of Education, Health and Society: “[S]ociety is going to be less healthy. It’s going to be less economically successful. It’s going to be harder to find folks to fill the jobs of the future, and there will be lower tax revenues because there won’t be as many people in high-paying jobs. It will be harder for innovation to occur.”

Let’s unpack that quote. Lane is asserting that college graduates make more money in the long run, because they are equipped to adapt and grow into management positions. Jobs will be harder to fill because “skills-based” workers won’t have the capacity to move into positions that don’t yet exist that require skills they don’t have.

Lower tax revenues? According to the College Board, high school graduates earned a median of $24,900 less a year than people with bachelor’s degrees. People earning less pay less in taxes.

And lower life expectancy? WaPo noted that various studies have found people without college educations even die younger than people with them, from 5 to 12 years, depending on the study.

And what about happiness? Researchers at the universities of Texas and South Carolina found that high school graduates have a higher incidence of depression than college graduates, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported they are more likely to divorce.

The plain fact is that not everyone needs a four-year degree – people who enter the trades can find their choice very rewarding and they’re vitally important to our economic growth, not to mention keeping your pipes intact, your electricity flowing, and your HVAC blowing cold air.

However, everyone needs the choice of attending college, regardless of their background and economic status, and the chance to be healthier, wealthier, and wiser.

Filed Under: scicu-news-releases

South Carolina update

March 21, 2023 By SC Independent Colleges & Universities

Last week, the S.C. House approved its version of the state budget and there was much good news for SCICU member institutions and their students.

The House budget fully funds S.C. merit scholarships (Palmetto Fellows, LIFE and HOPE Scholarships) and retains from last year the $20 million in lottery funding for the S.C. Tuition Grants Program. Thanks to the General Assembly’s support, the Tuition Grants Commission approved increasing the maximum grant for the 2023-24 academic year from $4,500 to $4,700. That’s great news for the about 12,000 S.C. residents who receive a Tuition Grant.

The budget now goes to the state Senate, which, after its deliberations, is scheduled to vote on the budget in the middle of April.

Filed Under: scicu-news-releases

Federal update

March 21, 2023 By SC Independent Colleges & Universities

The big news from Washington is the release earlier this month of the president’s executive budget.

In the budget the president proposes increasing the maximum Pell Grant by $820 to $8,215. Other campus-based programs would also see big increases. For example:

  • $910 million increase for the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG).
  • $1.23 billion increase for the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program.

Unfortunately, the executive budget also includes a proposal for free community (two-year) college. Biden would direct $500 million for an “Accelerated Success: Free Community College program” that would fund grants to community colleges or state systems of community colleges to offer students tuition-free programs.

The president proposes some big tax increases to pay for his priorities. For example, he would increase the corporate tax rate to 28 percent, and tax capital gains at the same rate as wage income for those with more than $1 million in income. These and other tax increases will not receive a friendly reception in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The federal budget has a long way to go between where we are now and the president signing something that everyone can agree to.

Filed Under: scicu-news-releases

SCICU 2023 Infographics: Addressing shortage of teachers and nurses in South Carolina

March 21, 2023 By SC Independent Colleges & Universities

COLUMBIA, S.C. — SCICU’s 2023 Infographics Series continued in March with important messages regarding SCICU’s role in helping address the shortages of teachers and nurses in South Carolina. Both infographics were sent to all members of the South Carolina General Assembly.

March 1 – One of the great challenges our state faces is finding good teachers. Fortunately, SCICU member institutions are providing the well-trained teachers our schools need.
March 15 – We depend on nurses who graduate from SCICU member institutions to enhance the quality of life of that makes South Carolina such an attractive place to live and work.

Filed Under: scicu-news-releases

SCICU Business Partner spotlight — March 2023

March 21, 2023 By SC Independent Colleges & Universities

SCICU salutes the businesses that participate in the SCICU Business Partner program. For March 2023, we are spotlighting AffinityLTC, LLC, Aramark, and Milliken & Company. Please see the links below to learn more about these partners. The SCICU Business Partner directory lists all partners currently participating in the program. Eddie Shannon, SCICU executive vice president, is always available for businesses interested in learning more about SCICU’s Business Partner program (email: eddie@scicu.org / office: 803-799-7122).

Affinity LTC, The Coalition of College Cost Savings’ endorsed broker, has specialized in providing Long Term Care insurance solutions to private, non-profit higher education for over 15 years. Affinity LTC first partnered with The Coalition in 2008 to offer John Hancock and then Genworth group LTCi products with unique benefits and limited underwriting to higher education clients and their families.
 
SCICU Business Partner profile
Company website: AffinityLTC.com

 

 
 
Aramark Higher Education is an organization dedicated to service excellence in dining, facilities and conference center management. We create living and learning environments that foster healthy growth, build loyalty and create lasting connections to more than 600 campuses across North America.
 
SCICU Business Partner profile
Company website: AramarkHigherEd.com

 

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, specialty chemical, flooring and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations.
 
SCICU Business Partner profile
Company website: Milliken.com

 

 

Filed Under: scicu-news-releases

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Presbyterian College - Neville Hall

Presbyterian College to host SCICU Board of Trustees meeting March 28

Presidents of SCICU's 21 member colleges and universities will join business and community leaders at Presbyterian … [full story...]

With a buzzer-beater three point shot, Furman upset Virginia in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

Congratulations to Furman on a bracket-busting return to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

With a three-point shot heard around the world, No. 13 seed Furman Paladins roared back into the NCAA’s Men’s Basketball … [full story...]

Do you really need a college degree?

Message from SCICU President and CEO Jeff Perez - Lately there’s been a lot written questioning the value of a four-year … [full story...]

South Carolina update

Last week, the S.C. House approved its version of the state budget and there was much good news for SCICU member … [full story...]

Federal update

The big news from Washington is the release earlier this month of the president’s executive budget. In the budget the … [full story...]

SCICU 2023 Infographics: Addressing shortage of teachers and nurses in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- SCICU's 2023 Infographics Series continued in March with important messages regarding SCICU's role in … [full story...]

SCICU Business Partner spotlight — March 2023

SCICU salutes the businesses that participate in the SCICU Business Partner program. For March 2023, we are … [full story...]

advocacy-headingupdates2

  • SCICU Board of Trustees meetingMarch 28, 2023
  • SCICU Excellence In Teaching Awards DinnerApril 18, 2023
  • NAICU Spring Board and Committee MeetingsApril 25, 2023

advocacy-headingupdates2

South Carolina‘s Independent Colleges and Universities are asking for your help in conveying our gratitude for state supported scholarships and grants for higher education.

Without scholarships and grants, many students could not afford the cost of higher education. South Carolina’s Independent Colleges and Universities would like you to join us in showing our grateful appreciation to members of the General Assembly for their support of merit-based scholarships and need-based grants.

who-is-my-legislatorWe encourage you to write a personal letter to your state legislators and thank them for their support. Encourage them to invest in the future of South Carolina by funding to the fullest extent possible scholarships like Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, and Higher Education Tuition Grants. Regular increases to these programs are needed to keep current with the rising costs of higher education.

 


 

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South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Programs
    • Quick Facts
    • Meet Our Team
    • Board of Trustees
    • 2022 Excellence In Teaching Awards
    • Business Partners
    • Newsroom
  • Colleges
    • Allen University
    • Anderson University
    • Benedict College
    • Bob Jones University
    • Charleston Southern University
    • Claflin University
    • Coker University
    • Columbia College
    • Columbia International University
    • Converse University
    • Erskine College
    • Furman University
    • Limestone University
    • Morris College
    • Newberry College
    • North Greenville University
    • Presbyterian College
    • Southern Wesleyan University
    • Spartanburg Methodist College
    • Voorhees University
    • Wofford College
  • Students
    • Why choose a private college or university in South Carolina?
    • How to Pay for College
    • Digital College Guide
    • Resources and Links
  • Advocacy
  • Events
  • Publications
    • College Guide
    • SCICU News & Notes
    • Legislative Priorities and Strategic Plans
    • Annual Report
    • Financial Statement August 31st
    • IRS Form 990
  • Contact
  • Make A Gift