October 2014
newsletter
OOC News
Chancellor Remarks
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• COPLAC
continued
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• Campus Citizens
of the Month,
September &
October
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• International
Students
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• Pacer Sports
Page 7
• Family Fund
Thoughts on new COPLAC membership
T
o leverage all we can from our
new COPLAC affiliation, it is
important to understand the COPLAC
strategic plan. The Council of Public
Liberal Arts Colleges mission is to
“advance the aims of its member
institutions and drive awareness of the
value of high-quality, public liberal
arts education in a student-centered
residential environment.”
The mission statement is
appropriately broad to allow for
the unique identities of COPLAC
members. However, the careful selection
of words within the mission help to
identify what each of the COPLAC
institutions have in common.
“High quality”
The COPLAC institutions are
committed to providing a high quality
education. This is reflected in part by
the fact that they foster a culture that is
aspiration driven. They are committed
to offering the best possible education,
comparable to the curriculum and
approaches of the long-established
private liberal arts & sciences
institutions. Additionally, many of the
COPLAC institutions are measuring
quality not only through inputs, but
by also measuring and assessing “value
added” through student educational
gains, student engagement, and student
completion.
“Public” COPLAC institutions are public, and
thus, committed to the public higher
education agenda. In particular, they
are steadfast in their desire to making
liberal arts and sciences education
available to all, including students who
might not otherwise have access to
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this type of higher education. COPLAC
institutions also recognize the mandate
given to all public institutions (our reason
for being) to be responsive to the needs
of our communities. Many COPLAC
institutions are regionally focused and as
such, offer professional degrees, graduate
studies, and select graduate programs that
respond to regional economic and social
needs.
As public institutions, COPLAC
institutions value both access and
accountability. They strive to keep tuitions
reasonable and provide access by aligning
institutional support structures, delivery
formats, and opportunities that address
the needs of contemporary students.
“Liberal Arts”
While public liberal arts universities
rarely offer a curriculum that is exclusively
and singularly liberal arts, COPLAC
institutions have a focus on the liberal arts
& sciences. This focus typically manifests
itself in an emphasis on providing students
with a broad-base on their educational
experiences through a strong core or
general education curriculum, access to
co-curricula events and activities, and
opportunities for students to put what
they are learning through engagement
in undergraduate research, international
experiences, and service-learning and
volunteering in the community.
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“Student-centered”
COPLAC institutions offer an
intimacy and scale that provides students
a personalized education characterized
by extensive faculty-student interaction.
Student-centered institutions embrace
an approach to education that focuses
on addressing the needs of students,
rather than those of others involved
in the educational process, such as
teachers and administrators. Taken
fully, the student centered approach
has many implications for the design
of the curriculum, course content and
interactivity of courses. The values of
a student-centered university are also
reflected in the campus’ approach to
extra-curricular opportunities and the
living/learning communities.
As the newest member of the Council,
USC Aiken will need to think about
what the values embraced by the
COPLAC universities means to our
university and how to best reflect those
values in the work we undertake daily.
I invite you to join the discussions
underway across campus that are focused
on what it means for USC Aiken to
be a COPLAC institution in the 21st
Century.
Best wishes,
Sandra Jordan
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Congratulations to our Campus Citizens
SEPTEMBER
my husband had called Kevin Liles here on campus
because he knew our campus police would be the
closest and be able to get to me faster than anyone else.
Kevin Liles
Chief of Police
Congratulations to Kevin Liles, Chief of Police, USC
Aiken’s September Campus Citizen of the Month. Thanks to his
efforts, he will receive a $20 gift card, a sign for his desk, and a
parking spot.
Normally, the nomination isn’t posted, but the story bears
repeating. It’s nice to know there are people like Chief Liles that
are a part of the USC Aiken family.
(Submitted by: Angel Miano)
On Monday, May 05, 2014, my 2 year old son Steven
and I went through the carwash at Lulu’s across the street and
stopped to vacuum our car. While vacuuming out his car seat,
I let Steven sit in the front seat and pretend he was driving.
Once he was done he came back and hopped in his seat where I
proceeded to fasten him in and shut the door. When I went to
open the front door of the car I realized it was locked. In fact,
all the doors were locked. Steven had hit the lock button while
sitting up front and locked the doors with my keys and cell
phone sitting on the console. Terrible mistake on my part!
I immediately borrowed the phone of a neighboring car
and called my husband and then 911 to get someone to come
get the door open. I’m sure you can imagine my terror as I
waited for help to arrive, watching Steven sit and cry in the
backseat helpless to free himself, knowing that a locked car
with the windows up quickly heats up. What I didn’t know is
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Kevin came over within minutes (beating the
county, the city and my husband) and got the door
open so I could get Steven out. When Kevin arrived
he was calm and immediately jumped into action.
Despite some issues with getting my door unlocked
he continued to try other ways, and reassured me that
we would get Steven out and he was going to be fine. I
was not on campus, so USC Aiken campus police did
not have any obligation to respond. Kevin knew other
officers were on their way because he heard the call
go out on the radio. He could have just let the others
respond, but he did not. This situation reminded me
how much of a family we are here at USC Aiken. I
don’t know that every police officer would have been
as helpful and accommodating as Chief Liles was to go
off campus and help a colleague in need. Kevin even
stuck around to talk to Steven and make sure he was
okay and help calm him down.
I believe Kevin deserves to be named campus
citizen of the month because he met several of the
criteria with this one particular instance. Loyalty/
Dedication: clearly Kevin went the extra mile. He
did not have to come off campus to assist when other
officers were already on their way. He also did not
have to stick around to help calm my son down once
he was out of the car, but he did. Positive Attitude:
Kevin obviously maintained a good relationship with
me as well as with other law enforcement agencies
in the community by coming out and solving the
problem when he did not have to. He was clearly a
role model in this instance helping someone in need
(and nearly hysterical). And, obviously it was prompt
service; he beat the county and the city police officers
to the scene. And, I can assure you he was friendly.
Kevin kept me calm and was supportive throughout
the whole ordeal. I think it is obvious that Kevin
is deserving of the campus citizen of the month.
Whether he receives it or not, he is, and forever will
be, my hero!!
Congratulations Kevin!
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OCTOBER
Carmen Williams
Administrative Assistant
Humanities and Social Sciences
Congratulations to Carmen Williams, Administrative
Assistant in the Department of Humanities and Social
Sciences, USC Aiken’s Campus Citizen of the Month.
Thanks to her efforts, she will receive a $20 gift card, a sign
for her desk, and a parking spot. Up until recently, Carmen
was in the Advancement office, and her nomination came
from a co-worker in that department.
In her nomination, a peer stated, Carmen exhibits
ingenuity and resourcefulness, has initiative and shows
dedication to USC Aiken. When in the Advancement
office, she improved the work method of handling monthly
purchasing card statements. This improvement has saved
time and doesn’t cause multiple interruptions for the
cardholder. Since moving to another department on campus,
she has always been willing to help the Advancement office
by answering any questions her replacement in that area may
have while learning the position.
It was also stated Carmen is a very dedicated worker
and always is willing to go the extra mile, helping whenever
needed. When her former supervisor went on maternity
leave, Carmen handled the department in her absence. She
cross-trained and learned her supervisor’s job functions and
took care of pressing items while she was out. It was a great
relief to her supervisor to come back to work after maternity
leave and not be overwhelmed since Carmen did such a great
job of taking care of things in her absence.
In recognition of her positive attitude, dedication,
and willingness to go the extra mile, Carmen Williams has
been named the October Campus Citizen of the Month.
Congratulations Carmen!
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The Campus Citizen of the Month
award is given in recognition of good
citizenship. All faculty, classified and
unclassified staff, and university partners
who have been with the University for
one year and are in good standing are
eligible. The nomination remains active
indefinitely in the pool of candidates.
The nomination form must be signed by
the nominee’s supervisor and sent to the
nominee’s Vice Chancellor in that unit.
The criteria to be used in the nomination
are:
• Initiative/Creativity: Exhibits ingenuity
and resourcefulness. Examples:
Improved work methods, efficiency
within the department.
• Loyalty/Dedication: Willing to go the
“extra mile” without being asked.
• Positive Attitude: Maintains effective
relationships with others both on and
off campus; serves as role model.
Example: Consistently delivers
prompt, friendly service.
• Leadership: Acknowledge those
whose efforts have inspired and
supported the performance and
achievement of others.
Monday Group will review the
nominations and select each
month’s winner.
Contact Maria Chandler at
MariaC@USCA.edu
for more information.
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International Students at USC Aiken
O
nly six years ago, USC Aiken had fifty-three
international students enrolled on our campus.
This fall, our preliminary information is that
international student enrollment will be somewhere
over one hundred students. In fact, as a percentage
of the total student enrollment, our international
student enrollment represents approximately 4% of our
student body. This increase in international recruiting
represents a tremendous amount of work by a number
of offices. But, now that our international students
have joined our community, it falls to all of us to help
them be as successful as possible.
We know why it is important to recruit
international students to USC Aiken. International
students assist the university in becoming a truly
diverse campus and help our U.S. born students to
understand, and appreciate differences in backgrounds,
perspectives, and identities. USC Aiken is committed
to building an exemplary educational community that
offers a nurturing and challenging intellectual climate,
a respect for the spectrum of human diversity, and a
genuine understanding of ethnic, religious, and racial
differences. A significant percentage of international
students and faculty from a wide range of geographic
areas bring multiple benefits to the classroom and
campus life experience.
A recent study in the Journal of International
Students reported the impacts international students
have on their American classmates. The results of the
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study were derived from a survey of more than 5,600
American graduates who were asked about the extent
to which they interacted with students from outside
the U.S. According to the report, college students who
reported more interaction with international students
demonstrated an edge over their classmates who had little
or no interaction in specific skill areas, such as the ability
to speak a new language, and gains in some key cognitive
skills. These students have “the ability to question their
own beliefs and values; acquire new skills and knowledge
independently; formulate creative ideas; integrate ideas
and information; achieve quantitative abilities; understand
the role of science and technology in society; and gain indepth knowledge in a specific field.”
International students benefit from the experience of
studying in the U.S. as well, but they face adjustments in
and outside the classroom that can make the experience
challenging. USC Aiken is working hard to recruit more
international students, but we have to balance that activity
with appropriate action to supporting the students once
they arrive on campus.
In a recent publication of University Business
(September 2014), the top five challenges to adjustment
for international students was compiled and discussed.
These issues include:
1. English language fluency- Even students who
score well on the TOFEL exam are ill prepared for the
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speed in which English is spoken in
the classroom and are often unable to
understand colloquial use of English
and regional accents. The large amounts
of reading and writing in English
coupled with the need for better aural
skills can pose significant challenges.
2. Expectations related to class
participation and the concept of
plagiarism- International students
report that the faculty’s expectation for
class participation is one of their biggest
adjustments. There are many cultures
and educational systems that do not
allow class interaction, questions in
class, or participation. Additionally,
the American standards for plagiarism
and the concept of academic integrity
may be alien or poorly understood by
international students.
3. Cultural differences
associated with advising and
counseling- In some cultures, seeking
assistance from advisors or counselors
is highly stigmatized. Those students
are unlikely to ask for assistance
unless the institution takes care to
reiterate the benefits of advising and
counseling.
4. Homesickness- Once the
excitement of being in a new college
and a new country wears off a little…
international students often find
themselves missing familiar food,
customs, language, and loved ones.
Being far from home and away
from one’s supportive friends and
family can begin to interfere with
satisfaction. Often, homesickness is
accompanied by loneliness on the
weekends and during U.S. holidays.
5. Legal requirements associated
with living and working in the U.S.The processes and regulations associated
with working off campus, renewing
visas, and even how failing a course
might impact the student visa.
Please take the time to meet Andy
Kabasele, Director of Global Studies
and Multicultural Engagement, and
Lauren Eldridge, Assistant Director
Global Studies and Multicultural
Engagement, who joined our
community in July. Andy and Lauren
will begin campus conversations
about the challenges faced by our
international student population and
to work with the RPG committee,
co-chaired by Dr. Kladivko and Dr.
Wilson, to recommend appropriate
steps our institution can take to mitigate
the challenges that may interfere with
international student success.
If you have ideas or thoughts
on this subject (perhaps you were
an international student, or you are
currently an international faculty
member with experiences to share),
please feel free to contact Andy and/or
Lauren.
Pacer Athletics Updates
• Hannah Allison, women’s soccer
player, earned NSCAA National
Player of the Week honors earlier this
season. She’s the first women’s soccer
player in school history to do so and
just the second Peach Belt Conference
women’s soccer player to earn the
honor.
• As of October 13, the volleyball team
is off to a 13-5 start overall and stands
7-3 in the conference. In a match
versus King College, Sheila Walsh had
a rare triple-double with 48 assists,
11 kills and 11 digs. Also against
King College, Ashley Diedrich had
a career-high 32 kills, which is the
second most in school history under
rally scoring.
• Men’s Soccer, with a 8-2-1 record,
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is off to its best start since the 1994
season. The Pacers are also 3-1 in the
PBC.
• In golf, USC Aiken has won two
consecutive tournaments. First, the
Pacers won the St. Leo Invitational.
Senior Brandon Robinson-Thompson
won the individual title with a nineunder par score. Robinson-Thompson
tied the USC Aiken record for lowest
round in shooting a 64. The Pacers
then won the Firestone Invitational
in Akron, Ohio for the second
consecutive season in a row. USC
Aiken was the lone D-II team invited
to the D-I tournament.
• The USC Aiken Athletic Hall of Fame
selected three new members for the
class of 2014. Jeff Goff, a standout
golfer who in 2008 was the NCAA
individual national champion; Jessica
Strickland, a catcher on the softball
team was a three-time All American
and in 2007 was the Peach Belt
Conference Player of the Year; and
Dr. James Kauffman, a Pacer Pioneer
who was an Associate Chancellor and
Dean of Students at USC Aiken in
the 1970’s and 1980’s, once coached
the baseball team, was acting athletics
director for several years and later was
the Faculty Athletic Representative.
Go to PacerAthletics.com
to keep up-to-date with our
student athletes and Pacer
teams
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Family Portraits
Members of the Family Fund planning committee
give a few of their thoughts on philanthropy
by Nicholas Stroman,
Advancement Office Intern
Carmen Williams
Philanthropy
holds a different
meaning to each
individual it
affects, but for
Carmen Williams,
she sees it as a
truly transactional
process. “Philanthropy is giving back
to a person or group that needs help
or assistance to provide the services
they give,” said Williams. This year,
Williams gets to build on that principal
through her involvement with the
Family Fund as co-chair for USC
Aiken’s annual event.
For three years, Williams worked
in the Pickens-Salley House as an
administrative assistant for University
Advancement, serving as the first face
seen by those who entered the white
doors. Williams enjoys providing the
answers to any question that people
might have, especially about the Family
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Fund. “I worked with the Family Fund
for three years “behind the scenes.” I
enjoyed that aspect, but I also wanted
to work with the Family Fund from a
different perspective. I enjoy being that
“cheerleader” to encourage everyone to
give back,” Williams shared.
The Family Fund serves as the
University’s internal fundraiser
geared toward achieving maximum
participation from its entire faculty and
staff. In years prior, the Family Fund
maintained over 90% involvement
throughout the departments.
Williams finds importance in
supporting the University and the
message it sends to onlookers in the
community. “The Family Fund is
important to me because it shows the
community and other campuses how
much we love USC Aiken, and are
willing to donate to help the University
succeed, for the students, faculty, and
staff,” Williams said.
One of the unique aspects of the
Family Fund is that donors have the
option to designate where they would
like their money to go. When asked
about where money from the Family
Fund could best be utilized, Williams
said, “I think as long as everyone is
giving to an account/department that
is important to them, then that is
where the benefit comes from for the
individual, and the department.”
As a native of Columbia, South
Carolina, Williams received her
high school diploma from Richland
Northeast High School in 2006. She
attended USC Aiken, graduating in
December 2010 with a Bachelor of
Arts degree in sociology. During her
undergraduate experience, she found
herself a part of Pacer Spirit, a club
on campus that gives guided tours
of the University, and was one of the
founding mothers of Omega Phi Alpha
service sorority.
When asked about the future
of the University and the direction
she saw it going, Williams had this
to say, “In the next 10 years, I see
the University doing very well and
continuing to provide a wonderful
education and support system for all of
its students.”
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Gary Senn
With a career
spanning nearly
20 years at USC
Aiken, Dr. Gary
Senn served as
co-chair of this
year’s Family
Fund. Focused
on serving the institution’s growth and
development, Senn found this to be the
ideal position for him. “I enjoy being
part of important endeavors that make
a difference, and the USC Aiken Family
Fund co-chair was an ideal place for me
to serve,” Senn said.
As the Family Fund continues to
develop, the participation rate is very
important. Senn believes that the best
way to facilitate that is by “being an
encourager and a cheerleader.” In years
past, the Family Fund has maintained a
participation rate of over 90%.
The most unique aspect of the
Family Fund is the strong message it
sends to the community. The money
raised comes from alumni, faculty,
and staff members with the option to
place the donations in a department
they choose. Senn believes that this
fundraiser finds a worthy home with
this institution. “Since I first arrived at
USC Aiken , I recognized the family
atmosphere here. I recognized the
importance of supporting the USC
Aiken family and the value of employees
supporting USC Aiken financially,”
Senn said.
A graduate of Valley Regional High
School in Deep River, Connecticut,
Senn grew in his passion for biology
throughout his collegiate career. The
Florida Institute of Technology was his
home for 10 years. Senn obtained his
Bachelor of Science degree in June of
1982 in marine biology. He obtained
two master’s degrees while studying at
Florida Institute of Technology. The first
one came in December of 1984 with a
Master of Science in science education;
the second came in August of 1991
with a Master of Science in educational
leadership. He earned his Educational
Specialist degree in June of 1992 and
completed his education with a doctoral
degree in science education in August of
that same year.
Senn began his career at USC
Aiken as the Director of the DuPont
Planetarium and now serves as the
Director of the Ruth Patrick Science
Education Center. When asked about
the future of the University, Senn had
this to say, “In 10 years, I see this as
a university focused on students and
as the University of Choice for many
students. I think that USC Aiken is
poised for growth in its student body
and facility infrastructure. USC Aiken
will be a university with an impressive
national reputation of academic
excellence.”
Family Fund Luncheon 2014
The Family Fund planning committee is proud to announce that the participation rate for 2014’s
Family Fund campaign is currently at 88%- the highest participation rate in the USC system! Thank you
for your contributions to this year’s Family Fund, which benefits USC Aiken student scholarships.
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