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SCICU goes to court – South Carolina and federal update

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This is a combined state and federal update, as it involves a South Carolina Supreme Court decision that impacted the access of SCICU member institutions to federal CARES Act funding.

On October 30 SCICU filed a “friend of the court” (amicus curiae) brief in support of Governor McMaster’s motion that the South Carolina Supreme Court rehear the “Adams” case.

The court in the Adams case ruled against Governor McMaster’s proposed use of $32 million of federal CARES Act funding for the “SAFE Grants” program, which would provide financial support to K-12 students attending private schools. In essence, the court found that because the money came into the state treasury before being disbursed it became state “public” money which the South Carolina Constitution prohibits being used for direct aid to private and religious institutions.

At the same time the court ruling was issued, SCICU member institutions were in the process of applying to the S.C. Department of Administration for federal CARES Act funding to reimburse them for COVID-19 expenses, as authorized by the South Carolina General Assembly in Act 154.

Unfortunately, the South Carolina Department of Administration, which is responsible for administering these funds, informed SCICU that it was not going to process the applications from private colleges and universities because it felt the Adams Case ruling rendered the agency and its leadership liable if they did so.

The governor has filed with the Supreme Court a motion for rehearing the case, among the arguments being that the court was overly broad in its interpretation of “public” monies. An amicus brief submitted by U.S. Attorney Peter McCoy supported the governor’s motion, asserting that the CARES Act funding remained federal and did not become public because it was temporarily deposited in the state treasury before being disbursed. Thus, the constitutional prohibition does not apply.

Both sides of this case are supportive of SCICU’s position. In opposing a rehearing, the plaintiff noted their challenge was specific to the proposed SAFE Grants Program, and that their lawsuit and the ruling had nothing to do with Act 154.

Our hope is that the court will clarify its ruling such that the Department of Administration will begin processing the Act 154 funding requests from South Carolina’s private colleges and universities.

We now await a decision by the court.

Three reasons to major in the liberal arts

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SCICU President and CEO Jeff Perez

Jeff Perez, Ph.D.
SCICU President and CEO



Message from SCICU President and CEO Jeff Perez –

Last month I shared the five most popular majors at SCICU member colleges and universities, which were surprising for liberal arts institutions in that they tended to be more career oriented.

Of course, every student at an SCICU institution receives a grounding in the liberal arts, and I think that’s vitally important. But this month I want to pay tribute to the students who choose to focus their studies in these fields by presenting the top three reasons to major in the liberal arts.

To begin, we need to agree on definition. “Liberal arts” is broad and open to interpretation, but generally covers three areas: sciences (including math), social sciences like anthropology and economics, and the humanities, including the arts, English, foreign languages, and philosophy.

Lately, the sciences have been included as part of “STEM:” sciences, technology, engineering, and math.

So, for our purposes, let’s think of the liberal arts as being the social sciences and humanities – they are the studies of the human experience.

And now, the top three reasons to major in the liberal arts:

  1. Exploration — Not everyone in college has figured out what career they want. They need the opportunity to investigate a range of disciplines, which they receive in the liberal arts. And while it may be discounted by some today, I deeply respect those who develop a love for a liberal arts field and find its study rewarding. They are the caretakers of all that is best about humanity.


  2. Flexibility — Dell Technologies has estimated that 85 percent of jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet. A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study of baby boomers born between 1957 and 1964 found they changed jobs 12.3 times. If you have learned to do only one thing, your future is at risk. It pays to be adaptable, which characterizes the mental skills acquired in the liberal arts, in which the student must be inquisitive, conduct research, synthesize information, and communicate it persuasively.


  3. Money — Notwithstanding all the jokes, those who major in the liberal arts are positioning themselves for lucrative careers, though perhaps not right away. While graduates with liberal arts degrees sometimes tend to have lower starting salaries than with other degrees, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, they catch up by around age 40 – often by becoming the managers!

The moral of the story: students should major in whatever inspires them. Success – however it may be defined – will follow.

I wish you all the happiest – and safest – of Thanksgivings.

SCICU renames emergency funding to Student Lifeline Grants Program

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — SCICU has renamed its emergency funding to students the “Student Lifeline Grants Program” to more accurately capture the initiative’s capacity to help students whose unexpected financial challenges might result in their dropping out.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has rendered students and their families even more financially vulnerable, making Student Lifeline Grants all the more important,” said SCICU president and CEO Jeff Perez. “We are excited that the new name will help prospective donors appreciate the value of the program and enhance our already active fundraising.”

The Student Lifeline Grants program provides supplemental funding to financial aid directors at SCICU member colleges and universities for students at risk of dropping out due to unexpected financial circumstances.

“Donors tell us this rebranding more clearly communicates our goals of helping all students persist and complete their degrees,” said Eddie Shannon, SCICU executive vice president.

For the 2020-2021 fiscal year, SCICU’s board of trustees set a $100,000 goal for the Student Lifeline Grants program. This is a small increase over the 2019-2020 goal for SCICU’s Discretionary Scholarship Program.

During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, student retention scholarships and student emergency grants were a large focus for increased donations outside SCICU’s Discretionary Scholarship program.

Two major donors – S.C. Student Loan Corporation and the Council of Independent Colleges – helped SCICU raise an additional $80,000 for supplemental student financial aid.

SCICU was selected as the first recipient of Power:Ed grants from the S.C. Student Loan Corporation. The program provides $50,000 for distribution to SCICU’s 20 member colleges and universities to aid in student retention and student degree completion during the 2020-21 academic year.

The Council of Independent Colleges (cic.edu) challenged SCICU to raise $20,000 in new funds for a $10,000 matching grant to benefit the SCICU Discretionary Grants Program. With the support of signature sponsors Comporium, Nephron Pharmaceuticals, and Williams & Fudge, as well as other new or increased gifts, SCICU exceeded the 2-for-1 fundraising threshold required for the $10,000 CIC challenge grant.

COVID-19 Resources – Updated November 20

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If you need help now —

What are the symptoms of COVID-19 infection? The CDC reports that symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. – Centers for Disease Control resources.

Are you sick and think you might have the symptoms of COVID-19? FREE 24/7 virtual COVID-19 screenings are available to everyone in South Carolina.   Log in to Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)’s virtual care provider network and use code COVID19.

SCDHEC curates a list of COVID-19 screening and testing sites, including mobile testing clinics and telehealth virtual care providers. — This list is continuously updated by DHEC, and testing sites may be viewed for individual counties in South Carolina.

What if you feel sick? – The Centers for Disease Control and SCDHEC provide guidance if you feel sick. The CDC also offers an interactive and mobile-friendly coronavirus self-checker that can be completed online.

Do you have questions regarding COVID-19? SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) can help. Call the SCDHEC Care Line 1-855-472-3432. Available 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

South Carolina advisories, updates, and resources for COVID-19

College/University-specific information regarding COVID-19

Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 forecasts and modeling

Robert Staton to retire as 18th president of Presbyterian College December 31

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Presbyterian College President Bob Staton and First Lady Phyllis Staton

Following five decades of dedicated service to Presbyterian College, Robert (Bob) Staton will retire as the college’s 18th president on Dec. 31. In addition to his five-year presidency, Staton’s roles at the college include executive vice president for external relations (2007-2012) and member of the PC board of trustees 1997-2006.

Staton’s broader service to independent higher education in South Carolina is highlighted by his involvement with SCICU. He was elected to the SCICU Board of Trustees in 1993 during his tenure as chairman, president, and CEO of Colonial Life Insurance. After serving two three-year terms on the SCICU board, Staton was named an SCICU Life Trustee. Upon being named Presbyterian College president in 2015, Staton’s SCICU board involvement shifted to the SCICU Council of College Presidents.

“We are extremely grateful for Bob’s many years of support and leadership on the SCICU board, and we deeply appreciate his service to Presbyterian College,” said Jeff Perez, SCICU president and CEO. “We wish Bob the very best in retirement, but there’s no doubt that he will still support PC and independent higher education in South Carolina for many years to come.”

Under Staton’s leadership, PC added new undergraduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, including data analytics, computational biology, communication, special education, and public policy. In 2019, the college established a School of Health Professions, bringing on board graduate programs in physician assistant studies and occupational therapy.

Presbyterian held a farewell reception on Nov. 13 honoring Staton and First Lady Phyllis Staton. During the reception, PC Board of Trustees Chair E. G. Lassiter announced the honoring of Staton with the naming of Staton Hall, the central building of the recently-constructed campus residential complex.

“It is not hard to look around campus and see all that has been accomplished over the past five years under Bob’s leadership,” said Lassiter. “There are new and renovated spaces for our students to live and learn, a larger and more diverse student body, more academic and athletic offerings, and an engaged board, just to name a few.”

Staton is a 1968 economics graduate of Presbyterian College and a 1971 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law. Prior to his leadership roles at PC, he was a partner in Quinn, Brown, Staton, and Boyle, chair of Carolina National Bank, and chair, president, and CEO of Colonial Life Insurance.

Staton’s extensive community involvement and dedication to the state of South Carolina was recognized when he was awarded of the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Jim Hodges.

Presbyterian College names Dr. Matthew vandenBerg as 19th president

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Dr. Matthew vandenBerg has been named 19th president of Presbyterian College, effective Feb. 1.

Dr. Matthew vandenBerg
Presbyterian College
President-elect

Presbyterian College has named Matt vandenBerg, an accomplished leader and fundraiser in independent higher education, as its 19th president. He will start his leadership at Presbyterian on February 1. VandenBerg will succeed Bob Staton, who will retire as PC president on Dec. 31.

“Dr. vandenBerg embraces the Christian faith and is a lifelong member of the PC (USA),” said E. G. Lassiter, chair of the PC Board of Trustees. The Presbyterian Church (USA) is a denomination of the Presbyterian Church with which PC is affiliated.

“With the many challenges facing higher education, Dr. vandenBerg brings a sense of urgency, initiative, and drive that is going to be needed to address and navigate the changes facing PC over the next decade,” said Lassiter. “He has a personality that will make others want to join with him in that effort.”

VandenBerg brings significant experience from other private colleges. He has served as vice president for advancement at Alma College (Alma, Mich.) since 2015, and added external relations to his leadership in 2018.

Alma College is vandenBerg’s alma mater, as he earned a B.A. in political science from the liberal arts college in 2002. He also holds an Ed.D. in higher education/higher education administration from the University of Pennsylvania and an MPA in policy analysis and nonprofit management from Indiana University Bloomington.

Alma College set records for annual giving and overall philanthropic support during vandenBerg’s nearly six-year tenure as vice president for advancement. VandenBerg also oversaw Alma’s design and launch of the Alma Ambassador Program, a trendsetting constituent engagement initiative. The program recruits volunteers (eg. “Ambassadors”) to assist the school in numerous areas, including admissions, student retention, and career services activities.

“We are looking forward to Matt joining the SCICU family,” said Jeff Perez, SCICU president and CEO. “PC is fortunate to have as its next leader someone who understands so well the myriad challenges facing private colleges and universities.”

Prior to joining Alma College’s leadership team, vandenBerg directed development for Albion College, another private college in Michigan.

VandenBerg’s previous leadership also includes development and alumni relations at Indiana University and CCS Fundraising, a strategic fundraising consulting firm that partners with nonprofits.

Presbyterian’s board named vandenBerg as the college’s next president on Oct. 28.

VandenBerg’s scholarly research has focused on higher education. His doctoral dissertation, “The symbiotic path to mutual value: How small, private, liberal arts institutions understand and manage donor influence,” received the 2019 John Grenzebach Award for Outstanding Research in Philanthropy for Educational Advancement from CASE. His work has been published in “Inside Higher Education” and other publications.

SCICU files amicus brief to clarify access to federal CARES Act funding

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. (SCICU), along with Bob Jones University and Clinton College, have filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief with the South Carolina Supreme Court supporting Governor McMaster’s motion to rehear Adams v. McMaster and clarify that private colleges and universities should have access to CARES Act funding authorized by the General Assembly in Act 154.

“Private colleges and universities deserve to apply for reimbursements for COVID-19 costs, just as directed by Congress and affirmed by Act 154 of the General Assembly,” said SCICU President and CEO Jeffrey Perez.

In the Adams case the court ruled against Governor McMaster’s proposed use of $32 million of federal CARES Act funding for the Safe Access to Flexible Education (“SAFE”) Grants program, which would provide financial support to K-12 students attending private schools. The court found that because the money came into the state treasury before being disbursed it became state “public” money, which the South Carolina Constitution prohibits being used for direct aid to private and religious institutions.

At the same time SCICU member institutions were in the process of applying to the S.C. Department of Administration for federal CARES Act funding to reimburse them for COVID-19 expenses, as authorized by the General Assembly in Act 154.

“In testimony to the S.C. House and Senate before passage of Act 154, I reported that SCICU member institutions had identified $12.2 million in reimbursable COVID-19-related expenses, that our campuses are to be commended for their extensive COVID-19 precautions, and that they deserve access to the funding as instructed by the CARES Act,” said Perez. “We deeply appreciate the leadership demonstrated by the General Assembly in recognizing our needs and including SCICU member institutions in Act 154.”

However, the South Carolina Department of Administration, which is responsible for administering the Act 154 funding, informed SCICU that it was not going to process the applications from private colleges and universities because it felt the Adams case ruling rendered the agency and its leadership liable if they did so.

The governor has filed with the Supreme Court a motion for rehearing the case, among the arguments being that the court was overly broad in its interpretation of “public” monies. In an amicus brief U.S. Attorney Peter McCoy supported the governor’s motion, asserting that the CARES Act funding remained federal and did not become public because it was temporarily deposited in the state treasury before being disbursed. Thus, he asserts, the state constitutional prohibition does not apply.

Today SCICU also filed an amicus brief which supports the arguments made in the U.S. Attorney’s amicus brief and seeks a clarification that will permit the S.C. Department of Administration to begin processing the Act 154 funding requests from private colleges and universities.