- Town Hall
- COVID-19 Updates
- Talking About Alcohol
- Bursar's Office
- Career Center
- CarolinaCard
- Convocation
- Move-In
- Parking
- Postal Services
- Spring Honor Lists
- Student Health Services
- Student Life
- UofSC Alumni Association
- UofSC Parents App
- University News
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Good afternoon,
It’s hard to believe that August is finally upon us! We have awaited this month, in the midst of all the chaos of a global pandemic, to welcome students back to our campus and the Columbia community. Final preparations are being made to ensure that students have an exceptional year. I hope you and your families have been participating in the
town halls hosted by President Bob Caslen or reviewing the
Campus Reopen & Risk Mitigation Plan [PDF]. We know that the year ahead will not be one like we’ve ever experienced, but the Gamecock spirit is one that endures and excels, and we can’t wait to see the magic happen! I must say that how our students and staff – especially our student leaders – have rallied this spring/summer to reimagine, develop and influence programs, activities and services for this year has been a highlight for me, and for many across our campus community. I’m proud to be part of this team!
This month’s newsletter is full of things that you and your student need to know as you prepare to move to Columbia for the first time, or maybe returning as an upper class student. The new accessory for all students will be a face covering! We will provide one for students to add to their growing collection.
Classes will begin on Aug. 20, and although the formats will vary, the excellent teaching and research that is expected from a Research I flagship institution will continue to be delivered. Please encourage your student to reach out to their faculty member if there are any questions or concerns. Students have also been encouraged to meet (or re-meet) with their academic advisors, and I hope your student has chosen to do so.
In Student Life, our mission is to advance student success by serving as a catalyst for student involvement through experiences, services and facilities that enhance leadership development, diversity & inclusion, community engagement and personal wellness. We know the year ahead will be one that will provide lots of opportunities for students to define their unique involvement story. We believe in delivering the exceptional student experience that makes UofSC such a special place (and destination) for many students! I’m excited for your student to get to campus and enjoy the programs, services and activities in-person and virtually that have been especially reimagined and redesigned just for them. Encourage your student to check out
Garnet Gate to plan their extended Carolina Welcome activities!
Don’t forget to sign
#IPledgeColumbia before you arrive back on campus and get ready for a memorable year!
Go Gamecocks!
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Anna C. Edwards, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Life
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Student & Family Town Hall
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University leadership and city of Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin will host a virtual town hall for students and families at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5. The link will be posted to
go.sc.edu/coronavirus
prior to the event.
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Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
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The University of South Carolina is working with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to actively monitor the novel coronavirus outbreak and any potential impact to our campus community.
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Student & Family Information
Explore some aspects of the
new student experience
on campus. Topics include classrooms and instruction, student spaces and activities, and on- and off-campus living details – including quarantine protocols.
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# I Pledge Columbia
As we look forward to welcoming everyone back to campus in the fall, encourage your student to commit to doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Visit
sc.edu/IPledgeColumbia
to learn more and take the pledge. #IPledgeColumbia
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UofSC COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
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For the safety and well-being of all, we may be more separated physically right now than ever before. But one thing holds true: As Gamecocks, we stand together, always. We are more than 200 years strong, and we will navigate these difficult times together as caring Carolinians.
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Talking with College Students About Alcohol
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The Office of Parent & Family Programs has partnered with South Carolina's
Substance Abuse Prevention and Education
team to provide
an in-depth guide to talking with your student about alcohol use during their time in college.
Highlights of this guide include:
- Tips for starting the initial conversation with your student
- How alcohol works in the body, including reactions to medicine
- Why students choose (and don't choose) to drink in college
- Answering the "Did you drink when you were a student?" question
Backed by comprehensive research,
this conversation guide
is available to download for University of South Carolina parents and family members.
Use code "UofSCfamily" as the username and password when logging in to access the guide.
If you feel concerned at any point during your student's time at South Carolina about alcohol or drug abuse, you can refer them to receive assistance through the
STIR coaching program
as part of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education's many initiatives to assist students in making good and healthy choices during college.
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Payment Deadline for Fall 2020
The deadline for Fall 2020 fee payment is
Aug. 12, 2020.
The mail-in payment deadline is
Aug. 6, 2020.
Class schedules may be cancelled for all students who have not paid their fees in full.
Online:
You can pay your bill through
Self Service Carolina
. You will be able to use financial aid, e-check, MasterCard, Discover, Visa, or American Express to safely secure payment. A 2.5% convenience fee will be added for each credit card transaction. There is no charge for paying via e-check.
In-person:
You may pay with cash, check or money order at the Bursar’s Office, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
By mail:
Please make your check or money order payable to the University of South Carolina (UofSC) and mail to:
University of South Carolina
Bursar’s Office
1244 Blossom Street – Suite 128
Columbia, SC 29208-0001
Payment Plan
Authorized Users
Students can assign Authorized Users to their account via Self Service Carolina (SSC). This will allow the Authorized User to view the student's bill, payment history, payment plans, 1098T information, receive emails, as well as speak with the Bursar's Office staff about the student's account. Please note – only the student can set up
Authorized Users on their account
.
College Savings Plan
If you have a college savings plan for your student, please remember to send a copy of your student's bill to your plan administrator to ensure payments are received in a timely manner.
Direct Deposits
If your student expects to receive a refund, which includes excess financial aid, please have them set up their direct deposit via SSC.
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Virtual Part-time Job Fair
Thursday, Aug. 27 • 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- The Career Center is gearing up for its virtual fairs for the Fall 2020 semester. Kicking them off will be the Virtual Part-time Job Fair. There will be many employers looking to hire students for on- and off-campus opportunities.
"Building Social Capital Through Networks and Opportunity"
Tuesday, Sept. 1 • 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Join the Career Center as we provide information on how to help your student navigate getting involved and building their network at UofSC and beyond. During this session, we will provide information and resources for you to help your student in finding jobs (both part-time and full-time), making new connections through mentorship, and building transferable skills through experiences. Dr. Ambra Hiott, Director of the Leadership and Service Center, will be joining us for this session to provide information on how to get involved with community service, student organizations, and leadership programs. We look forward to sharing information with you so you may better assist your student in getting involved and gaining transferable skills.
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CarolinaCard
The CarolinaCard I.D. is the passport to all things UofSC!
Bookmark
our website
to learn more about the benefits of using the CarolinaCard and refer back to it throughout the year.
All students, faculty and staff will be required to display their university-issued identification card, CarolinaCard, beginning this fall.
- First-year students: to receive your CarolinaCard upon move-in you must upload your photo and sign the cardholder agreement.
- Transfer students: please follow the requirements above in order to pick up your CarolinaCard the week of Aug. 17 outside the Russell House on Greene Street.
GET Mobile App
Students can manage their CarolinaCard funds
through the GET Mobile app
so they can conveniently swipe their card to pay for food, bookstore items, athletic event tickets and more.
GRUBHUB App
Expanded options have been added for ordering ahead
for
on-campus dining mobile pick-up orders
. Panera, Chick-fil-A and all residence halls have been added to the GrubHub app.
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New Student Convocation will be hosted virtually this year. The event will be streamed on the
university’s Convocation website
on
Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. EDT
. Students and their families will hear from top university administration, including President Bob Caslen, Provost William F. Tate IV, and Dennis Pruitt, vice president of student affairs and vice provost. Also speaking will be Student Body President Issy Rushton ’21.
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University Housing: Move-In
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Is your student living on campus this year?
Learn everything you need to know
about University Housing Move-In Days, including the mandatory to-dos and packing recommendations.
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Parking & Transportation Services
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Due to physical distancing guidelines,
Parking Services will mail out permits for the coming academic year.
A
ll permits must be purchased online and received via mail prior to arrival.
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Package and Mail Pick Up
Fall 2020
student package and mail pick up
will be located at the Carolina Coliseum (701 Assembly St.) with vehicle access through the 1051 Blossom St. N2 parking lot. Acceptance of Fall 2020 shipments will begin Aug. 3.
Students must have their Carolina Cards to pick up items.
Mailing Address and Mail ID Number
Students residing in UofSC Housing residence halls on the Columbia campus and the Greek Village received their campus mailing address via
my.sc.edu
under "Personal Information."
Residents of Park Place, Greene Crossing, YOUnion and 650 Lincoln
Mail and package services are
provided directly to each respective location
by Amazon, USPS, UPS, FedEx and DHL and should be addressed accordingly. Please check with the management office for mailing address requirements.
Student Employment Opportunities
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Each semester, the university publishes the President’s Honor List and the Dean’s Honor List to recognize undergraduate students who, at the end of the previous semester, had achieved outstanding academic success. Congratulations to these students and their families!
We're celebrating with you!
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COVID-19 Testing
To protect the health and well-being of the campus community, getting a COVID-19 test before you return to campus is strongly encouraged by the university and mandatory for students living in on-campus residence halls and the Greek Village. Student Health Services will host numerous on-campus COVID-19 testing clinics in August to help students meet requirements and keep campus safe. Tests will consist of nasopharyngeal swabs or nasal swabs. Planned dates for testing: Aug. 1-12 and Aug. 16-21. Dates are subject to change.
Appointments are required
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Student Health Insurance
Every student’s health and well-being are critical components to academic success -- especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students with health insurance stay healthier by using recommended preventive care services that help avoid health issues. The primary purpose of the Student Health Insurance Plan is to provide families an option for a plan that is affordable and offers a comprehensive benefits package, so students have easy access to physical and mental health care and prevention screenings while attending the university or traveling the country. Take a look at the
Student Health Insurance Plan
and compare it to your current plan to see if it makes sense for your family. The deadline to waive or enroll in the university plan is Sept. 11.
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The mission of the
Department of Student Life
is to advance student success by serving as the catalyst for student involvement. We provide opportunities for every student to define a unique involvement story that prepares them to lead and serve as an engaged global citizen.
NEW: Student Life Fall 2020 Calendar
Carolina Welcome
We are excited to welcome our new and returning Gamecocks to campus! While campus may look and feel a little different this fall, there is still lots to look forward to as we kick off a new year of memories at UofSC. Check out our events and more at
sc.edu/welcome
.
Tip: Check the calendar of events often as events are being added and modified every day!
Gamecock Entertainment
Gamecock Pantry
Support South Carolina students experiencing food insecurity by helping the Gamecock Pantry stock their shelves! Running to the grocery store to pick up some food to stock your student's residence hall room? Consider throwing a few extra items in your cart to donate to the Gamecock Pantry. Visit the
Gamecock Pantry website
for details.
Garnet Media Group
- Interest meeting: Do you have a student who enjoys writing, photography, music, video production, design or more? Garnet Media Group, home to The Daily Gamecock, Garnet and Black magazine, SGTV and WUSC FM will have a general interest meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. This Zoom drop-in will have current student leaders and staff available to answer questions so that your student can learn more about the opportunities for involvement. For more information, encourage your student to RSVP.
- Our student journalists at The Daily Gamecock have been busy this summer with a weekly email edition and will return with a daily email edition in the fall. Sign up now to receive our headlines in your inbox!
Leadership & Service Center
- The Close Family Emerging Leaders Program is an opportunity offered virtually for students to develop and practice leadership to prepare them to impact the UofSC community and beyond.
- Student Organization Fair: The annual Student Organization Fair is a signature event for students looking to get involved on campus, and it will continue to occur in-person this year! To ensure the safety of students, the fair will be split into multiple sessions, in multiple locations, with a limited number of registration spots available for each session. All attendees will be expected to follow campus policies including the wearing of face coverings and maintaining physical distance. We are excited about the opportunity for students to connect in person in a safe environment. Additional details about fair and the sign up process will be available in the weeks ahead.
Student Government
Freshman Council is a great avenue to allow first-year students to get involved with Student Government. Freshman Council is a group of approximately 40 first-year students that serve as the voice of the freshman class. Throughout the year, Freshman Council will also work together on an impactful project to better the Carolina community. The
application for Freshman Council
is live on Garnet Gate and closes Sept. 11.
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Home to over 40 years’ worth of Carolina traditions, the UofSC Student Alumni Association offers students the ability to make connections, establish leadership, and develop Gamecock pride. In order to keep this Student Alumni Association thriving, you can show your support and get your spirit pack today for just $25* which includes four BEAT T-shirts, BEAT Stickers, and a rally towel. *$5 flat rate shipping fee.
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Download the Award-Winning UofSC Parent and Family Programs Mobile App
Access university resources when you need the
m —
compiled just for you in one easy-to-use mobile app!
Download the app by searching "University of South Carolina Parents" in the app store or
text the link to your phone
and find out why it has been accessed more than 210,000 times by UofSC families!
This 24/7 resource is the winner of the 2020 Outstanding Parent and Family Relations Institutional Initiative Award from NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, and a recipient of the 2019 Award of Excellence from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
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"How to make your own Gamecock face covering"
Wearing a face covering can help protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Learn how to easily transform an old T-shirt into a DIY face covering.
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"
UofSC among top universities granted utility patents"
For the eighth-consecutive year, the University of South Carolina stands among the top 100 universities in the world, based on the number of U.S. utility patents faculty members received in 2019. South Carolina ranks 90th worldwide, named as the lead on 31 patents last year.
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Please continue to visit the Parents & Families Gateway for information and resources at
sc.edu/parents
.
Office of Parent & Family Programs
University of South Carolina
Parents Assistance Line: 1-800-868-6752
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