August 2014
newsletter
Page 2
•Information
Technology
Page 3
•Campus Citizen
of the Month
Page 4
•Energy
Conservation
Page 5
•Campus Dining
Changes
Page 6
•Operations
Updates
Page 8
•New staff in
Student Life
Page 9
•Pacer Athletics
OOC News
Chancellor Remarks
USC Aiken granted COPLAC membership
U
SC Aiken has a proud tradition
and a mission which supports
the needs and future ambitions of
South Carolina and the region. As a
public, comprehensive university with
high-quality undergraduate and select
graduate programs, the institution is
committed to providing students with
an excellent learning experience. All of
our undergraduate majors, including
our distinctive professional programs,
are strengthened by an intentional
and significant liberal arts and sciences
curriculum which affords students
a broad base on their educational
pyramid.
Unfortunately, students and their
parents are often unclear about the
advantages of receiving a liberal
arts and sciences education. In this
particular moment in our history, it
is more challenging than ever to help
students see beyond their major and
understand how critical thinking, the
study of humanities, literature, the
arts, languages, social and behavioral
sciences, laboratory sciences and
mathematics, support their ability
to think analytically, communicate
effectively, and make connections and
new discoveries. The responsibility for
articulating the significance of a liberal
arts and sciences education falls to each
of us at the university. We must use our
syllabi and our time with students in
and beyond the classroom to reinforce
what is gained through the synergy of a
broad liberal arts and sciences education
combined with the depth of study
offered by our major programs. Now
more than ever, when one in six recent
college graduates are either underemployed or unemployed, we should be
prepared to help students recognize the
Continued on Page 5
Top 5 Information Technology Issues of 2014
3.
Strategic
Technology
Allocation to Support
Online Education: Distance
and online education have become
the new frontiers in education, with
technology helping to lead the way. In
anticipation of the new frontier, USC
Aiken’s Computer Services Division
has made a number of significant
improvements to support online
learning. Among them are bandwidth
increases to the residential, business and
research networks, including another
upgrade that will be completed in
August 2014.
I
nformation technology has become an integral part of our everyday
lives in higher education and beyond. In fact, here at USC Aiken,
literally every function, task and system is dependent upon some
type of technology. Fee payment, course registration and financial
aid distribution are examples of essential tasks dependent upon
technology, while our cash registers, HVAC and security camera systems
are all technology driven as well.
Given our dependence on technology and the rapid rate at which it
changes, forecasting IT trends and their impacts on our university is a
must. Below are the top five IT-related issues facing USC Aiken in the
2014-15 academic year.
1.
Leveraging
Technology to
Improve Recruitment
and Retention of
Students: The competition
for attracting and graduating high
achieving students continues to become
more intense. At a time when human
resources are stretched thin, technology
can help. Data analytics can help target
previously untapped populations of high
school students while robust, high-tech
innovations on-campus can entice them
to stay here once they arrive.
Page 2
2.
Security:
Cybersecurity,
along with data analytics, is
one of the new buzzwords in the IT
industry. Our identities and our privacy
no longer exist as we once knew them.
Our goal at USC Aiken is to provide
a secure network (and all access points
onto our network) so that our personal
and financial data is safe. Computer
Services’ recent PCI (payment card
industry) compliance project has not
only secured our network for credit
card users but it has helped us identify
and correct other network and policy
loopholes that will benefit the entire
University.
4.
BYOD:
5.
Data Analytics:
Last year’s
buzzword is still relevant for
us at USC Aiken. BYOD (bring your
own device) describes the expectation
that we all have of bringing our own
electronic devices along with us and
expecting them to work seamlessly.
Hotels, airports, restaurants and
most recently the City of Aiken have
invested a tremendous amount of
resources to make BYOD a reality; we
must continue to invest as well. Our
challenge is made more difficult by a
growing residential student population
that brings with it a large variety of
network-hungry TVs, DVD players,
game systems, computers, printers,
phones and tablets.
The other new IT buzzword
describes the practice of
using data to make more informed
institutional decisions. Technology
will lead the way in helping us collect,
archive and translate data so that all of
our decisions are truly data driven.
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Congratulations to our Campus Citizen Angela Taylor
T
he 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:
C A MP US
C IT IZ EN
of the Month
Angela Taylor
Admissions Specialist
Congratulations to Angela (Angie) Taylor, Admissions
Specialist in the Admissions office, USC Aiken’s August 2014
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.
In her nomination, a peer stated that Angie is always in the
background making sure that the Admissions department is on
task. She acts as the point of contact for the Admissions staff,
families, faculty and student workers. Over the years, she has
gone the extra mile to ensure whoever walks in the office has
been cared for. She has remained a positive influence and always
makes people feel at home. Not only are the visiting students and
families attended to, she also acts as a mentor to many student
workers that have worked in the Admissions office.
In recognition of her positive attitude, caring spirit, and
willingness to go the extra mile, Angie Taylor has been named the
August Campus Citizen of the Month. Congratulations Angie!
Page 3
• 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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Energy Conservation Efforts at USC Aiken
A
Word from Brian Enter, Senior University
Facilities Executive:
I wanted to send out a reminder to all those who
work, live and learn on this beautiful campus of our
commitment to sustainability and energy conservation.
As you may know, USC Aiken has a climate
action plan that addresses our carbon footprint,
sustainability, and energy conservation. In addition to
the America College and University Presidents’ Climate
Commitment to reach carbon zero, our state of SC
Section 48-52-620, code of laws of SC, requires that
we develop energy conservations plans to reduce energy
consumption by 1% annually during fiscal years 0913, and a total of 20% by 2020 as compared to 2000
levels.
USC Aiken’s carbon footprint for FY 2008 was
10,479 metric tons and for FY 2010 it was 6,163
metric tons. Our goal is to reduce then eliminate our
carbon footprint by becoming climate neutral by 2025.
Over the years, we have implemented many
initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint including,
installing energy management controls in most campus
buildings, retrofit existing lighting with high efficiency
lighting, and replacing inefficient heating and cooling
systems.
Page 4
You can read more about our climate action plan on
the Operations website at web.usca.edu/operations
A large part of our energy consumption is with
heating and cooling our buildings. That is why USC
Aiken’s energy policy sets building temperatures at 75
degrees F (cooling) and 69 degrees F (heating) during
operating hours and reducing and/or shutting down
building HVAC when facilities are closed. Maintaining
buildings at these temperatures also contribute to
lowering our utility costs. To give an example, a 1 degree
F decrease in cooling temperature is approximately a 3%
increase in Kilowatt usage. Therefore, if we decreased the
temperature in the Penland building from 75 degrees to
74 degrees, it would cost an additional $450 per hour!
So, what can you do to help conserve energy and
help us meet our commitment within our climate action
plan? You can reduce our consumption by turning off
lights in rooms that are not occupied, shutting down
computers at the end of the work day, and reporting
equipment problems when noticed.
Thank you for your support and efforts to reduce our
carbon footprint!
Sincerely,
Brian Enter, P.E.
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Campus Dining
Changes
“Chancellor Remarks” continued
from Page 1
A
importance of liberal arts and sciences
education for success in a complex and
competitive global society.
With that in mind, I am very pleased
to announce that the Council of Public
Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) has
recognized USC Aiken as an institution
with a distinctive liberal arts and science
curriculum and has invited us to join
their organization. COPLAC is the
most prestigious organization of public
liberal arts institutions in the nation
and typically, only one institution per
state is invited to join. COPLAC has
been championing the cause of liberal
arts and sciences education of superior
quality in the public sector for decades.
It is a highly selective organization
and member institutions include some
of the most innovative and respected
public universities in the United
States who provide students from all
backgrounds access to an outstanding
liberal arts and science education. What
is true for individuals is also true of
institutions, in that we are “known
to others by the company we keep.”
Certainly, institutional reputations are
shaped by our associations. Acceptance
into COPLAC is no trivial achievement
and this accomplishment relates directly
to goals articulated in our Forward
Together strategic plan.
COPLAC institutions are united by
their collective educational missions that
commit to providing superior liberal
Brent Wustman, Director
arts and sciences education to their
3388
brentw@usca.edu
students, evidenced by the allocation
Jason Daniel
of resources and outcomes achieved.
3388
jasond@usca.edu
Tim Martin, Catering Director
Among the COPLAC member
institutions are the following:
3596
timothyma@usca.edu
s many of you may be aware,
Brent Wustman, Director of
Dining Services, will soon be presented
with a professional advancement
opportunity away from USC Aiken.
Although the timeline of this is still
uncertain, it is inevitable. A search
took place to fill the position of Director
of Dining Services and Jason Daniel has
accepted the offer. Jason attended the
University of Georgia and is coming to
us from Bob Jones University where he
has served in the role of Assistant Food
Service Director since 2012. Prior to
this, he held management positions at
Clemson University and has performed
in the role of an Executive Chef in
several private establishments.
For a short period of time, we are
fortunate to have Brent remaining here
to help facilitate a smooth transition of
leadership. During this time, and to
help eliminate any confusion, please
continue to use Brent as the primary
contact with the understanding that
Jason will be heavily involved in all
processes and decision making. An
announcement will be made once a
more definitive departure date for Brent
has been determined.
As we begin to thank Brent for his
dedication to USC Aiken, please help
welcome Jason as he becomes a part of
the USC Aiken family.
Listed below are the Campus
Dining key personnel along with their
contact information:
Dorothy Quade, Chef Manager
3293
dorothyq@usca.edu
Beth Doran, Office Manager
3293
elizabethd@usca.edu
Page 5
New College of Florida
Truman State University
Eastern Connecticut State University
Sonoma State University
Evergreen State College
Keene State University
University of South Carolina Aiken
University of North Carolina
Asheville
University of Wisconsin Superior
University of Mary Washington
To leverage our new association with
COPLAC, Dr. Jeff Priest is forming
a task force of committed faculty and
staff who will be charged with helping
us focus on using this opportunity to
more clearly articulate to students and
parents the importance of the liberal
arts and sciences curriculum. This group
will lead discussions and provide a plan
of action to create a comprehensive and
intentional campus environment that
makes more apparent the importance
of a liberal arts and science curriculum
in supporting the major and preparing
students for meaningful careers and to
fulfill their civic and leadership roles in
our communities.
COPLAC membership grants us
access to a consortium that advances
the liberal arts and sciences educational
model, while also enhancing
opportunities for civic engagement,
fostering undergraduate research,
promoting institutional exchanges,
and disseminating best practices
between public institutions with similar
missions. Thanks are due to Dr. Jeff
Priest and Dr. Lloyd Dawe for their
excellent work on the Self Study and for
shepherding our application through
the COPLAC process!
Visit the COPLAC website for more
information and to see USC Aiken’s
name among the COPLAC institutions:
www.coplac.org.
Congratulations to USC Aiken for
this remarkable accomplishment!
Sincerely,
Chancellor Sandra Jordan
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Operations:
Project updates
Eulalie’s Garden
Percent Complete:
Design: 100%
Bidding: Complete
Construction: In-Progress
CDs are complete. Bid
awarded to Cold Creek
Nursery. Construction
is in progress.
Patio installation
is complete.
Contractor is
performing final
grading around
patio. UP next:
Install irrigation
and smaller
landscaping
items
around
patio.
Installation of one of the three oak trees in Eulalie’s Garden.
More project updates on following pages
Page 6
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PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
Design: 100%
Bidding: Re-bidding
Construction: Not Started
Summary: Bids were received
and were not within the funded
amount. Engineers and cost
estimators reviewed the bids and
determined that some portions
of the design estimate were
underestimated, but the majority
of portions of the contractor’s bids
were over estimated. USC Aiken
and the A/E have developed new
design that we believe is within
current budget. Timeline is below
A/E to revise/repackaged
construction documents by 8/20/14
Advertise for bid by 8/25/14
STETSON CIRCLE
LANDSCAPING
Percent Complete:
Design: 100%
Bidding: Awarded: N/A
Construction: Complete
Summary: Landscaping around
this circle is complete. Waiting on
benches to be installed.
GREENHOUSE
Percent Complete:
Design: 100%
Bidding: In progress
Construction: Project scope has
been revised such that electrical
work will be performed in-house
as a cost savings measure.
Construction documents were
assembled and put out bid. Bids
came in over budget. Engineers
are reducing scope of project to
fit within budget. Set to go out
to bid in 60 days. All material for
Greenhouse kit has been received
and stored on campus.
H&SS ELEVATOR
REPLACEMENT
Percent Complete:
Design: 100%
Bidding: Re-bidding
Construction: Not started
Page 7
Summary: The project was bid
out, but not awarded due to a
contractual issue. The project
will be rebid in 60 days. Expect to
be out to bid in September. 2014.
Schedule is red due to it being
behind schedule due to errors in
the original bid process.
B&E ROOF REPAIRS
NATATORIUM REPAIRS
Percent Complete:
Design: 100%
Bidding: Complete
Construction: I/P
Summary: All work complete. No
issues. Minor painting touch up to
continue in restrooms.
Roof Repairs/ Replacement
at Etherredge Center,
Tennis and Senior Net
Trailers
Percent Complete:
Design: N/A
Bidding: Complete
Construction: Complete
Summary: Roof repair work is
complete. No issues.
Percent Complete:
Design: 100%
Bidding: Complete
Construction: Complete
Summary: All roof work is
complete. No issues.
PENLAND RESTROOMS
RENOVATION
Percent Complete:
Design: 100%
Bidding: Complete
Construction: In-progress
Summary: Contractor is Pizzutti
Builders. Construction is in-progress
on the south wing 1st and 2nd
floor restrooms. Approximately
two weeks ago the contractors
encountered issues with material
access which has resulted in
project delays.
PENLAND & H&SS FIRE ALARM
UPGRADES
Percent Complete:
Design: 100%
Bidding: Not Started
Construction: Not started
Summary: The original bid
package included the Science,
B&E, Penland and H&SS buildings,
but only the Science and B&E
buildings were upgraded. Funds
are available. SIMS group has
repackaged documents to
send out for bid. Schedule is red
because this project is not getting
attention. Need assistance to
get Columbia to put priority
on this project. Expect to bid in
September.
Update Campus Master
Plan
Percent Complete:
Design: I/P
Bidding: N/A
Construction: N/A
Summary: Architectural Firm LS3P to
update master plan. 2nd visioning
meeting was held in July. Architect
is currently finalizing master plan
with the input provided by USCA.
Expect this master plan to be
complete in September.
New Projects
1.Ruth Patrick Science Center
HVAC upgrades and Roof Repair:
Project Established and receiving
quotes for design
2.Penland Building Mechanical
System Upgrades: Design has
started. Engineers and architects
working on design documents.
3.Science Building Energy
Efficiency Upgrades: Receiving
quotes for equipment
4.Quad Improvements: Identified/
damaged trees were removed.
Currently removing debris from
stumps and replacing with good
soil. Next steps are to top dress
quad and fertilize and seed.
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New in Student Life
Andy Kasabele
Christen Torres
Mutombo “Andy” Kasabele, the
new Director of Global Studies and
Multicultural Engagement, has had his
share of experiences around the world.
However, when asked about the most
interesting place that he has travelled
to, Andy will tell you that it has been
the United States. With its wide
range of cultures, Andy loves that the
U.S. is a country full of diversity. He
said that when coming to the United
States, the first thing he noticed was
how strikingly different it is than other
European countries. For example,
Andy says Americans smile more to
establish a comfortable and welcoming
environment. It may come as no
surprise then that Andy has ended up
at USC Aiken after experiencing the
hospitality and family like atmosphere
of the campus.
Growing up in France, Andy was
exposed to many types of languages and
cultures. When he came to the United
States, he began studying Business
Administration at the University
of Arizona. It was there that Andy
discovered his passion for student affairs
while tutoring international students
at the University. This enthusiasm is
what Andy says has carried over into his
profession as he begins planning for the
upcoming school year at USC Aiken.
Page 8
faculty, and staff along with learning
the culture of the campus. Lauren
chose USC Aiken because she felt that
she would be able to grow and learn
as an administrator. She also loves the
campus, and knows that USC Aiken is a
great fit for her. USC Aiken was an easy
choice for her because she wanted to
stay in South Carolina.
Lauren calls Chicago, Illinois home,
and she definitely is a hometown girl
when it comes to sports as her favorite
sports teams are the Chicago Bulls,
Bears, White Sox, and Blackhawks.
Lauren is a huge Netflix junkie with
Sci-Fi as her favorite movie genre. If she
isn’t watching a movie, she is either with
her family and friends or traveling.
He hopes to assist in building a great
diversity program, so that international
and domestic students alike, feel
comfortable and cared for, by providing
them with excellent services. These
services will include more interaction
and education of both domestic and
international students. Andy says
that he is excited and ready to get
students engaged with amazing diversity
opportunities on campus and beyond.
Lauren Eldridge
Ryan Rafanan
Lauren Eldridge has answered the
call to handle diversity at USC Aiken
as the Assistant Director of Global
Studies & Multicultural Engagement.
Lauren received a Bachelor’s degree in
Fashion Merchandising from Western
Illinois University and a Master’s
degree in Higher Education from Old
Dominion University. As an undergrad,
Lauren was highly involved at WIU as
a Resident Assistant, a member of the
choir and African Student Alliance,
and being a part of campus ministry.
The idea of serving students and facing
new challenges everyday are just a few
reasons why Lauren chose a career in
Student Affairs.
Before coming to USC Aiken,
Lauren was a Resident Director at
Coastal Carolina University for three
years. She is excited to meet students,
Matthew Torres
Lacie Rhoden
Taking the reins as the new Interim
Assistant Director for Community
Service and Campus Programming,
Matt Torres is excited to be back at
USC Aiken. Hailing from Aiken, Matt
graduated from USC Aiken in 2011
with a degree in Exercise and Sports
Science.
“When I was an undergrad, I was
involved in PUB, Aiken Unplugged,
IMPACT, Pacesetting, Greek Life, SGA,
and a few other planning committees,”
Matt says. His experiences with these
programs gives him an advantage as
he returns to USC Aiken to take these
programs to the next level.
Matt’s love for the campus is obvious
when he talks about receiving the
opportunity to, once again, work in
the Student Life Office. “It may be
difficult to break the ‘mold’ and bring
in new ideas, simply because tradition
is comfortable, but I am most looking
forward to bringing the excitement back
to campus. The same excitement that I
knew when I was a student here,” Matt
says.
Stop by the Student Life Office
to meet Matt and talk to him about
Community Service Opportunities,
PUB, and Aiken Unplugged.
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Pacer Athletics Updates
stellar work in the classroom, earning
All-Academic Team recognition. To be
eligible for GCAA All-Academic Team
honors a college or university must
submit the GPAs for each player on
its official squad list for the academic
year. Teams must have GPAs of 3.00
or higher to earn All-Academic Team
honors.
All-American Scholars
PBC Male Scholar-Athlete
of the Year
University of South Carolina Aiken
standout Patrick Stiebinger was named
the Peach Belt Conference Male
Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The award is
the highest individual honor given to a
PBC student-athlete during the year and
is selected by the league Faculty Athletic
Representatives.
Patrick was the captain
of the USC Aiken men’s tennis team for
three years and graduated with a degree
in business administration and a 4.00
GPA. A native of Weiden, Germany, he
won the PBC Elite 15 Award for men’s
tennis in 2013, is a three-time member
of the PBC All-Academic Team and was
named a PBC Presidential Honor Roll
Gold Scholar three times. Inducted to
the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor
society this year, he was also named the
USC Aiken’s Outstanding Student of
2014.
USC Aiken Golf Recognized
The University of South Carolina
Aiken golf team was one of 23 programs
in Division II to be honored by the Golf
Coaches Association of America for its
Page 9
University of South Carolina Aiken
standouts Hayden Letien, Gaines
Milliner and Andrew Ward were named
to the Cleveland Golf/Srixon AllAmerica Scholars. A total of 75 golfers
in Division II earned the honor. To
be eligible for Cleveland Golf/Srixon
All-America Scholar status an individual
must be a junior or senior academically,
compete in at least three full years at the
collegiate level, participate in 50 percent
of his team’s competitive rounds, have
a stroke average under 78 and maintain
a minimum cumulative grade-point
average of 3.2. A recipient must also be
of high moral character and be in good
standing at his institution.
NABC Honors Court
Former University of South Carolina
Aiken men’s basketball standouts Rick
Alderman and Jesse Seilern were named
to the 2013-14 NABC Honors Court,
which recognizes men’s collegiate
basketball student-athletes who excelled
in academics during the season. The
NABC Honors Court recognizes the
talents and gifts that the men possess
off the court and the hard work they
exhibit in the classroom. In order to be
named to the Honors Court, a student-
athlete must meet a high standard of
academic criteria. The qualifications
include academically, being a junior
or senior and a varsity player with a
cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or
higher at the conclusion of the 201314 academic year. Students must have
matriculated at least one year at their
current institution and be a member of
an NCAA Division I, II, III or NAIA
Division I or II institution with a
NABC member coach.
PBC Presidential Honor Roll
The University of South Carolina
Aiken had 87 student-athletes named to
the Peach Belt Conference Presidential
Honor Roll, which was released in
June.
The honor roll is divided into four
groups: Presidential Scholars, Bronze
Scholars, Silver Scholars and Gold
Scholars. All student-athletes with a
GPA from 3.0 to 3.24 are Presidential
Scholars while Bronze Scholars are
3.25 to 3.49; Silver 3.50 to 3.74 and
Gold Scholars are those with a 3.75
to 4.00. Gold Scholars from USC
Aiken included- Monica Cardona,
Alli Edens, Porsha Martin, Grayson
Smith, Patrick Stiebinger, James Lynch,
Franziska Regel, Andrew Quirk, Aubrey
Danielson, Alyssa Cook, Andrew
McElveen and Aly Johnson.
Go to
PacerAthletics.com to
keep up-to-date with
our student athletes and
Pacer teams
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