Moving
Forward
Together
University of South Carolina Aiken
Annual Report 2014
“USC Aiken has been ranked #1 for ten of the past 17 years,
so some may be thinking, ‘What else is new?’ But, I can
assure you that the competition is fierce and the award is
extremely meaningful to our students, alumni, and campus.
This recognition is due to USC Aiken’s exceptional faculty
and staff who consistently provide a high quality and
transformative educational experience to our students.”
Chancellor Sandra Jordan
D
ear Friends,
Greetings! I’m proud to share with you USC Aiken’s first annual report on the state of the
university and our progress on the Forward Together Strategic Plan. As you read the following
pages and review the supporting data, you will quickly understand why I’m comfortable asserting
that the university is on the move, that the future for us is bright and full of promise, and that
considerable action has been taken toward the achievement of our four goals that were created to
help us attain our collective vision. While I have the deep honor and pleasure of serving as the
Chancellor of this distinguished university, I am quick to point out that our achievements are the
result of the contributions of countless men and women whose energy, creativity, and commitment
are evident throughout this report. I am awed and encouraged by the individual and group efforts
that have resulted in the positive results you’ll find briefly outlined in following pages. Sincere
thanks are due to the students, staff, faculty, community partners and alumni—who are working
very hard to move us Forward Together.
The American novelist, James Baldwin wrote, “Not everything that is faced can be changed,
but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” In the fall of 2012 this university community
launched a visioning process that began with facing the challenges of an ever-shifting national and
regional landscape. We chronicled and discussed the impact that the recession, shrinking state
support, changing student demographics, new levels of accountability, changing expectations for
universities, and disruptive technologies were having on academe and the traditional university.
But, we didn’t stop there. We began to plan for the future, clarifying our purpose, emphasizing our
strengths, and determining how to advance in the face of the “new normal.”
The results of that work is paying off in countless and measurable ways. While this report is
not comprehensive of all efforts undertaken since the Forward Together Plan was formulated, it
provides a snapshot and summary of the institutional efforts that are, in my opinion, all the more
inspiring because of their success amidst the challenges of continuous and brisk change.
I am confident of the quality and relevance of the education USC Aiken provides today. I am
equally confident that our investment of thought and effort now will help ensure a sustainable and
superlative university well into the future.
Go Pacers!
Sincerely,
Dr. Sandra J. Jordan,
Chancellor, University of South Carolina Aiken
Goal 1
Provide Distinctive, High Quality Educational Experiences
Strategy 1.1
Reinforce quality teaching
and learning as the preeminent
activities of this University
Objective 1.1.1: Distinguish
the university by enhancing and
leveraging our liberal arts focus
Objective 1.1.2: Foster strategies
that result in a more integrated and
dynamic focus on global studies
Strategy 1.2
Enhance excellence by implementing
and supporting student engagement
and immersive learning both inside and
beyond the classroom.
Objective 1.2.1: Expand
opportunities for faculty to learn
about and implement innovative
approaches to teaching, learning,
and scholarship
Objective 1.2.2: Strengthen
opportunities for immersive learning
Objective 1.2.3: Explore ways to
expand and improve upon delivery
methods to enhance learning and
provide greater student access
Selected Highlights for Goal 1
Honors Program
Growth
Online Summer
Class Of ferings
2013
48 online
classes
COPLAC Member Institutions
USC Aiken recently became one of the newest
members of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges
(COPLAC). We join 27 other institutions across North
America in their mission to provide students with
comprehensive public higher education in the liberal
arts and sciences.
2014
86 online
classes
Online Enrollment Growth
students enrolled
in summer
online classes
Military-Friendly
We continue to be recognized for our
outstanding reputation as a “MilitaryFriendly” university, due in large part
to the Military and Veteran Student
Success Center, which opened on
campus in 2013.
NSSE 2014 Results
Engagement Indicators
for Veterans
USC Aiken led the way in the National Survey of Student
Engagement (NSSE)
High-impact Practices Participation
Selected Achievements for Goal 1
1.
4.
2.
5.
3.
7.
9.
6.
8.
12 .
13.
11.
10.
14.
18.
16.
17.
15.
1.
Tutoring services received College Reading
& Learning Association (CRLA) Five-year
Recertification.
2.
USC Aiken received 4 independent “Military
Friendly School” designations.
3.
Successful COPLAC Application
4.
History, Political Science and Philosophy worked
with the State Department to bring exchange
students from Moldova and Pakistan to USC Aiken
5. Initiated Disney Leadership Program
6.
Sustainability Climate Action Plan and
sustainability goals enabled USC Aiken to be
included in Princeton’s annual “green” university
listings (1 of 332 in the nation)
7.
USC Aiken received 13 RISE Grants
8.
USC Aiken had 12 Magellan Scholars for the
2013-2014 academic year. Since its inception, USC
Aiken has had 62 Magellan Scholars
9.
Hired Director of Office of Distance Learning and
offered 70.1% more online classes this summer
10. A number of units piloted flipped classrooms
(Chemistry, Education, Biology)
Chad Leverette was awarded the Carolina Trustee
11. Professorship
12. The percent of full time faculty for fall of 2014:
56.3%
13. Hired and trained Student Assistants (SAs). These
students gained a greater understanding of receiving
and dispatching officers in response to calls for
service and emergencies
14. Instructional Services completed the second phase
of its production studio upgrade to improve USC
Aiken’s ability to deliver high-quality online/hybrid
education
15. Successful reaccreditation visit from MPCAC for
Psychology Graduate Program
Based on the recommendation of the Campus
16. Technology Committee’s (CTC), Computer Services
implemented a classroom technology enhancement
plan
17. The percent of faculty with terminal degrees: 74.8%
Chemistry program received national certification by
18. the American Chemical Society
Goal 2
Enroll, Retain, Develop and Graduate a Diverse Student Body
Strategy 2.1
Strategy 2.2
Recruit a promising and diverse
student body
Achieve a greater percentage
of student retention, progression, and graduation
Objective 2.1.1: Create new
degree programs, majors, minors,
concentrations and certificates to
complement traditional programs
of study
Objective 2.1.2: Ensure strategic
growth of the student body
appropriate to our mission
Objective 2.1.3: Emphasize
affordability by providing a quality
education at a net-cost rate that
is highly competitive in South
Carolina
Objective 2.1.4: Strengthen and
expand the integrated marketing
and matriculation plan
Objective 2.1.5: Enhance the
university’s reputation as a highquality residential university of
choice
Objective 1.2.1: Expand opportunities
for faculty to learn about and implement
innovative approaches to teaching, learning
and scholarship
Objective 1.2.2: Strengthen opportunities for
immersive learning
Objective 1.2.3: Explore ways to expand
and improve upon delivery methods to
enhance learning and provide greater
student access
Strategy 2.3
Develop responsible and socially
conscious graduates who are ready to lead, work
and contribute to their communities
Objective 2.3.1: Build on opportunities
for student development in leadership,
teamwork, and career-readiness
Objective 2.3.2: Increase and coordinate
programming that explores issues of personal
wellness, decision making and social
responsibilities of students
Selected Highlights for Goal 2
Graduation and Retention Rates
Both USC Aiken’s retention and
graduation rates closely match those of
our national peer group’s average.
First-Year Retention
University of South Carolina Aiken 66% • National Peer Group Average 68%
6-year Graduation
University of South Carolina Aiken 42% • National Peer Group Average 41%
Incoming SAT Scores
992 }
Accepted USC Aiken
students fall well
within the traditional
SAT score range (9741017) from incoming
freshmen in public
comprehensive
institutions of higher
education.
2014 USC Aiken incoming
freshman average SAT score*
*preliminary estimate for 2014-2015
Student Body Diversity
The percentage of minority students at USC Aiken is well
above that of our national peer group average.
%
Minority
Students
Enrolled
Enrollment improvements
The USC Aiken Office of Admissions is beginning
to see marked increase in enrollment of first-year
incoming freshmen.
3461
3400
3,299
3200
3,269
3,254
3,277
3,211
3000
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Selected Achievements for Goal 2
2.
3.
1.
4.
5.
6.
7.
9.
11.
8.
10.
1.
MBA Program was approved at the state level and
by SACSCOC
2.
Industrial Process Engineering Degree proposal
developed and passed by the USC system. Waiting
for CHE approval.
3.
Nursing program accepted 24 more students into
program this year and offered clinical opportunities
over the summer for the first time
4.
Implemented Palmetto College Program with a
completer degree in Business Administration
5.
A campus wide committee focused on Retention,
Progression and Graduation (RPG) was created
6.
Pacer Pathway “Bridge” Program developed in
cooperation with USC Union with 40 participants
7.
Implemented new acceptance packages,
communication scheduling, and publications
to enhance image, raise visibility, and open new
territories
8.
Overhauled Admitted Student Day and Academic
All-Star Day, resulting in dramatically increased
attendance
9.
Engaged TWG Plus, Inc. to conduct a student
search campaign reaching 35,000 HS seniors and
30,000 HS juniors
Developed relationship with two new external
10. agencies to increase the number of international
student applicants
The Marketing Office worked with Admissions in
11. redesign of web to make more admissions driven
and user-friendly and responsive on mobile devices
12 .
14.
13.
17.
15.
16.
18.
19.
12. The Marketing Office developed a new affordability 17. Created the Leadership USC Aiken program built
website to use in recruitment efforts.
upon the cornerstones of citizenship, service, career
web.usca.edu/affordability/
13. Developed an Academic Recovery Plan
14. Provided housing grants to assist with recruitment
efforts
15. Computer Services expanded its software training
offerings through the CSD Help Desk for faculty
and staff
The Veteran and Military Student Success Center
16. offered the following services to veterans: USC
Aiken Psychology Department, Cognitive
Processing Therapy, Veterans to Careers, Vet-to-Vet
Mentors, and Veterans Honor Society
preparation, and leadership. 23 students entered the
program for 2013-2014
Computer Services implemented the Pinpoint 911
18. system for the University. The system provides a
campus caller’s exact location to first responders,
allowing for shorter response times and accurate
location finding in the event of an emergency.
Through a collaborative process with University
Police, students, and staff from various
departments, street names were given on campus.
Road name signage has also improved the safety of
students, faculty, and staff by decreasing response
times to calls from assisting agencies
Computer Services and Marketing implemented
19. a standardized, public digital display system
throughout campus to allow for more direct
communication with the campus community
23.
22.
20.
21.
24.
2 5.
27.
26.
28.
33.
29.
31.
30.
20. Computer Services upgraded the University’s
security camera system, including adding more
cameras, replacing outdated cameras and upgrading
camera servers
21.
Computer Services improved the living/learning
experience for USC Aiken’s residential students by
activating bedroom and common area data jacks in
all residence halls
22. The Marketing Office completed major upgrade to
the University Housing website, and is in the process
of redesigning all print materials and website with
professional photography and a video
23.
Pacer Shoppe (Bookstore): Worked to enhance
negative student perception by lowering margins
on textbook, increasing used books available, and
offering book rentals
32.
Support Services – Dining, Custodial/
24. Campus
Operations/Police: Provided invaluable support
during historic ice storm
Pacer Shoppe (Bookstore): Provided enhanced
25. availability of services during Orientations and
special events through extended hours/openings
Campus Support Services – Dining/Operations:
26. Successfully installed a new Starbucks kiosk. This
is another attractive venue for our students and
potential students
27. The Equestrian Club and Club Sports teams
provided numerous opportunities for our students
to participate in Community Equine events as
volunteers, in internship or work programs and
leadership roles. Without this club and the 5 faculty/
staff advisors, there would be a void in these types of
activities and opportunities
28. As part of the equestrian initiatives in the Office of
31. Created the Healthy 4 Life Initiative on campus
29. Initiated tutoring services in University Housing
32. Housing capacity for Fall semester is at 96%, a 10%
Alumni Relations and Community Partnerships, we
requested the Exercise Sports Science Department
to develop a personal wellness course for Equestrian
students which resulted in the Special Topics Course
which had an enrollment of 14 students
USC Aiken Men’s Basketball won the NCAA
30. Southeast Region Tournament championship
to advance to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight
and played in the Final Four for the first time in
school history. The Golf Team won the Peach Belt
Conference Championship, was ranked number
two in the country in the NCAA Division II and
advanced to the national tournament for the third
year in a row. USC Aiken had 6 teams to compete
in NCAA Region Tournaments
to focus on Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy
Habits, and Healthy Environment to include
Tobacco-Free Initiative, Exercise is Medicine
program, and increased nutrition programs in the
café, added personal training service
increase since 2012
33. Created Service Plus Committee to address and
process customer service issues
Goal 3
Develop and manage resources effectively, efficiently and ethically to
support the University’s mission
Strategy 3.1
Strategy 3.3
Provide additional support to faculty and staff that
promotes job satisfaction and offers opportunities to
better serve our constituents
Foster the University’s
commitment to excellence and
innovation
Objective 3.1.1: Review organization structure
to enhance the accomplishment of mission and
identify campus synergies
Objective 3.1.2: Recruit, nurture, and retain a
high-quality and diverse faculty and staff
Strategy 3.2
Ensure a culture that is committed to ethical
stewardship and that actively incorporates efficiencies
and risk management strategies into its decision
making framework
Objective 3.2.1: Expand opportunities for
faculty to learn about and implement innovative
approaches to teaching, learning, and
scholarship
Objective 3.2.2: Ensure sustainable and optimal
utilization of campus resources that link the
budget to strategic goals
Objective 3.2.3: Review, strengthen and
implement emergency preparedness, disaster
recovery and business continuity plans
Objective 3.3.1:
Enhance financial security
and excellence through
intentional fundraising,
grantmanship, stewardship,
friend building, and vibrant
alumni relations
Objective 3.3.2: Support
innovation and creative
approaches to teaching and
learning
Objective 3.3.3: Employ
meaningful academic
program and support
unit reviews that use goal
setting, data analysis, and
enhancement planning
to ensure continuous
improvement
Selected Highlights for Goal 3
Campus Efficiencies
Endowment Value Increases
Found efficiencies from FY13 to FY15 saved
USC Aiken a total of $527,000.
Restructuring
New sources for existing
expenses
Cost avoidances
Contract Revisions
$23,673,652
endowment
value in
millions
20
$20,658,601
$18,705,773
$18,853,332
$17,713,454
15
$13,646,889
Parity Funding Success
For a number of years USC Aiken
and other institutions within the
USC System have been working to
“level the playing field” in terms of
funding received from the State
of South Carolina. Thanks to the
efforts of members of the campus
and local communities, as well as
our local legislative delegation,
we have made some headway
in this area, but there is still more
work to do!
10
2008-2009 2009-2010
2010-2011 2011-2012
2012-2013 2013-2014
Capital Fundraising Campaign
$550,000
Campaign Goal: $26,000,000
Campaign Totals: $19,487,281
Percent of Total Goal: 75%
500000
400000
Cumulative Giving
by Fiscal Year
300000
200000
Alumni
Corporations
100000
0
Individuals
FY14
FY15
Recurring
Total
One-time
Parents
Others
Selected Achievements for Goal 3
2.
1.
4.
5.
3.
9.
10.
8.
6.
7.
12 .
11.
1.
Restructuring of Academic Affairs recommendation
proposed and accepted to include 2 College, 3 School
Structure with Deans
2.
Moved Office of International Programs to Student
Affairs.
3.
Proposed restructuring of Continuing Education to
the Office of External Programs, Lifelong Learning,
Continuing Education and Workforce Development
4.
Developed new annual reporting process for all
academic units that link the budget requests to
strategic plan
5.
Proposed Engineering Degree developed by engineers
from local business and industry
6.
Faculty received $1,956,800 in external funding for
research in FY 14 compared to $1,252,300 in FY 13
7.
Human Resources: Led campus to 100% completion
of EPMS reviews for second straight year using the
Universal Review date and continued to build upon a
strong foundation on Campus Citizen of the Month
recognition program
8.
The Salary Enhancement Planning and Prioritization
Committee met throughout the Spring 2014
semester in an effort to identify a framework of
how best to prioritize future salary increases. The
recommendations, when implemented, should help
USC Aiken retain a high-quality faculty and staff
9.
Business Services: Established regular meeting
schedule with Registrar and Financial Aid to improve
interdepartmental communications and increase
likelihood of student retention
10. Operations: Created a campus standard for outdoor
furniture. This effort will harmonize all furniture
for the campus to provide a distinctive look. It will
encourage the use of the university outdoor spaces to
contribute to the educational experience on campus
11. Computer Services implemented a routine printer
maintenance schedule through the CSD Help Desk
Business Services: Through the month of May, 2014,
12. the Accounts Receivable balance was the lowest it has
been in the past three years.
Services: Campus-wide PCI Compliance
13. Business
Essentials Certification
13.
14.
16.
15.
18.
17.
19.
20.
23.
21.
22.
Budget: Facilitated Annual Budget Process that
14. allowed for additional student related initiatives and
enhanced process through a budget forum
Operations: Provided plan to remove diseased/
15. damaged trees in the quad and thereby improving
green space to add to student experience on campus
Police: Engaged officers in thoughtful and
16. intentional training and conversation to provide
enhanced understanding of the nuances of a college
environment and focus on the nature of community
policing
Pacer Shoppe (Bookstore): Provided funding for
17. campus discretionary (“R”) funds, athletics and
provided scholarships to assist in the recruitment of
students
18.
Introduced several new Alumni Initiatives in an
effort to create new partnerships with our Alumni
including: USC Columbia Employees who are USC
Aiken Graduates; Former Student Leader Award
Winners, Midlands area (Lexington, Richland
Counties) chapter of the Alumni Association; School
of Nursing 200 Club, Alumni Business Owners
24.
Team; and in the process of contacting over 200
former Alumni Council members to reengage them
with the University
19. Achieved 75% of the Carolina Promise Campaign
Goal for USC Aiken at $19.5 million and 8,024
donors
90% participation rate by USC Aiken faculty and
20. staff in the Family Fund
USC Aiken’s Endowment Value increased to $23.5
21. million
Computer Services built and maintains a digital
22. training library via the CSD Help Desk website and
the Help Desk YouTube channel
23. A new, more meaningful program review process
was developed in which unit level planned actions
for the upcoming year are driven by the institution’s
strategic plan
Successfully navigated “real life” emergency
24.. preparedness drill during ice storm
Goal 4
Create Collaborative Partnerships and Innovative Solutions to
Advance our Community, Region, and State Objective
Strategy
4.1
Collaborate intentionally with K-16 to build
stronger educational opportunities for the
region and state
Objective 4.1.1: Serve as a key resource in
the region for the creation of STEM initiatives
in our partner K-16 institutions
Objective 4.1.2: Serve as a key resource
in the region for the creation of initiatives in
the arts, humanities, behavioral and social
sciences, wellness, and pre-professional
areas with our partner K-16 institutions
Strategy 4.2
Leverage our intellectual capital to support and
augment a dynamic region and state
Objective 4.2.1: Expand and enhance
partnerships in support of economic,
educational and personal development for
the citizens and enterprises in our region
Objective 4.2.2: Expand opportunities for
civic engagement
Strategy 4.3
Expand our Global Presence through
national and international collaborations
Objective 4.3.1: Encourage and
support faculty seeking international
research, teaching, collaborations and
exchanges
Objective 4.3.2: Seek opportunities
with our local business and industry for
national and international internship
experiences and exchanges
Selected Highlights for Goal 4
New Partnerships
In 2014, USC Aiken signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with a number of prestigious
organizations, including an international university and a foreign government.
Caradasa • Savannah River Nuclear Solutions • Savannah River
Remediation • URS Corporation • University of Central Lancashire
Government of Grenada and the T.A. Marryshow Community College
International
Students at
USC Aiken
URS International Internship
Over the summer, a group
of USC Aiken students
participated in an
internship program hosted
by URS International, which
sent them to the United
Kingdom .
Every year, USC Aiken is privileged
to enroll international students from
all over the world. For the 2014-2015
school year, we have 138 students
enrolled that represent 22 countries.
RPSEC Visitor Growth
5-year visitor
average
80,000
Visitors to the Ruth Patrick Science
Education Center have more
than quadrupled since the center
opened in 1989.
81,130
71,491
60,000
53,603
55,353
40,000
20,000
0
17,771
1989-1994
1994-1999
1994-2004
2004-2009
2009-2014
Selected Achievements for Goal 4
4.
3.
2.
1.
5.
7.
6.
9.
8.
10.
14.
12 .
11.
13.
15.
16.
17.
1.
Ruth Patrick Science Education Center Anniversary
Celebration held in Spring 2014. RPSEC had
77,000 program visits in 2013-2014 and held 57
Workshops for Teachers
6.
USC Aiken’s involvement as a key partner and host
for a community-wide MLK Celebration with the
City of Aiken, Aiken Technical College, NAACP
and other community organizations.
2.
Archimedes Dialogue Project launched to highlight
local work and sciences
7.
3.
USC Aiken served as a key partner with the Mill
on Park to support emerging entrepreneurs and
economic development (themillonpark.com)
Pacer Travel Club was created to allow donors and
alumni to travel with USC Aiken on educational/
cultural trips
8.
4.
USC Aiken’s involvement as a key partner with the
City of Aiken and Aiken Downtown Development
Association to begin an Oktoberfest tradition in
downtown Aiken in 2013, and continued in 2014
University Advancement staff built relationships
with Equine Industry Leaders in an effort to discuss
the possibility of partnerships
9.
5.
Children’s Center: We remain the only NAEYC
(National Association for the Education of the
Young Child) childcare center in Aiken County
The Office of Conferences and Continuing
Education offered programming to meet regional
needs to include Academy for Lifelong Learning
(259 members), SeniorNet (1,000 course
participants), Conference Center Facility Rentals
(123 groups), Ed2go, Paralegal and Equestrian
online offerings (114 participants), Kids in College
(96 participants), and Project Management
preparation programs (34 participants)
10.
Became a member of South Carolina Campus
Compact
Secured an Americorps VISTA member to assist
11. with increased student participation in community
12.
13.
14. Collaborated with the City of Aiken to hold the
Wycliffe Gordon USC Aiken Jazz Camp
MOUs signed with the University of Central
15. Lancashire, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions,
Aiken Technical College, Orangeburg/Calhoun
Technical College, URS, Savannah River
Remediation, and Grenada
service/civic engagement activities
16. Established Internship in the UK with URS
18 contract courses taught by the School of
Education (more than the past 4 years combined)
for K-12 teacher development
17. formed partnerships with Aiken-Augusta Warrior
In addition to the RPSEC, the following units
have worked with schools and teachers: Chemistry,
Visual and Performing Arts, English, and History.
SOBA Dean and Faculty were contracted by the
local community to report on the area’s economic
viability
Sellafield site
Veteran and Military Student Success Center
Project, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions,
Saratoga War Horse, and Savannah River
Remediation
The 2014 Annual Report is published
by the Office of University Advancement.
University of South Carolina Aiken
471 University Parkway
Aiken, SC 29801
803.641.3334
www.usca.edu/advancement