October 2013 newsletter Page 2 • Strategic Plan Goals Page 4 • Addressing Goal #1 Page 5 • Family Fund Update Page 6 • Campus Citizen Janet Joy Page 7 • Division of Finance & Administration Updates Page 8 • Dancing with the Aiken Stars Page 9 • Campus Connections Page 10 • Oktoberfest • Harrison Calendars benefit scholarships Page 11 • Pacer Shoppe • Children’s Center • Home and Garden Show Page 12 • Why Should I get a Flu Shot? Page 13 • New Leadership Certification Page 14 • Tobacco Free Initiative OOC News Goals for the USC Aiken Strategic Plan Based on the work of the Visioning Process and the Task Forces, our new strategic plan has four goals in support of one vision to move Forward Together for USC Aiken. This year, each department will develop goals and strategies in support of our new plan. Look for more information soon on this process. Goal 1: Provide Distinctive, High Quality Educational Experiences Goal 2: Enroll, Retain, Develop and Graduate a Diverse Student Body Goal 3: Develop and manage resources effectively, efficiently and ethically to support the University’s mission Goal 4: Create Collaborative Partnerships and Innovative Solutions to Advance our Community, Region, and State Objectives and strategies outlined on page 2. USC Aiken Strategic plan Goals our objectives and strategies to achieve them GOAL 1 Provide Distinctive, High Quality Educational Experiences GOAL 2 Enroll, Retain, Develop and Graduate a Diverse Student Body Objective 1.1: Reinforce quality teaching and learning as the preeminent activities of this University • Strategy 1.1.1: Distinguish the university • Strategy 1.1.2: Foster strategies that by enhancing and leveraging our liberal arts result in a more integrated and dynamic focus focus on global studies Objective 1.2: Enhance excellence by implementing and supporting student engagement and immersive learning both inside and beyond the classroom • Strategy 1.2.1: Expand opportunities for • Strategy 1.2.3: Explore ways to expand faculty to learn about and implement and improve upon delivery methods to innovative approaches to teaching, learning enhance learning and provide greater and scholarship student access • Strategy 1.2.2: Strengthen opportunities for immersive learning Objective 2.1: Recruit a promising and diverse student body rate that is highly competitive in South • Strategy 2.1.1: Create new degree programs, Carolina majors, minors, concentrations and • Strategy 2.1.4: Strengthen and expand the certificates to complement traditional integrated marketing and matriculation programs of study plan • Strategy 2.1.2: Ensure strategic growth of the student body appropriate to our mission • Strategy 2.1.5: Enhance the university’s reputation as a high-quality residential • Strategy 2.1.3: Emphasize affordability by university of choice providing a quality education at a net-cost Objective 2.2: Achieve a greater percentage of student retention, progression, and graduation • Strategy 2.2.1: Improve and augment student academic support • Strategy 2.2.2: Enhance our reputation for service excellence • Strategy 2.2.3: Make better use of technology and available data related to retention • Strategy 2.2.4: Align policies and procedures to support student completion Objective 2.3: Develop responsible and socially conscious graduates who are ready to lead, work and contribute to their communities • Strategy 2.3.1: Build on opportunities for student development in leadership, teamwork and career-readiness • Strategy 2.3.2: Increase and coordinate programming that explores issues of personal wellness, decision making and social responsibility of students Goals 3 and 4 outlined on page 3 Page 2 Click here to return to Table of Contents Strategic Plan Goals continued from page 2 GOAL 3 Develop and manage resources effectively, efficiently and ethically to support the University’s mission Objective 3.1: Provide additional support to faculty and staff that promotes job satisfaction and offers opportunities to better serve our constituents • Strategy 3.1.1: Review organization • Strategy 3.1.2: Recruit, nurture and structure to enhance the accomplishment of retain a high-quality and diverse faculty mission and identify campus synergies and staff Objective 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 • Strategy 3.2.1: Develop and initiate a link the budget to strategic goals process to actively seek out opportunities • Strategy 3.2.3: Review, strengthen and for greater efficiency across all functions of implement emergency preparedness, the university disaster recovery and business continuity • Strategy 3.2.2: Ensure sustainable and plans optimal utilization of campus resources that Objective 3.3: Foster the University’s commitment to excellence and innovation • Strategy 3.3.1: Enhance financial security • Strategy 3.3.3 Employ meaningful and excellence through intentional academic program and support unit fundraising, grantmanship, stewardship, reviews that use goal setting, data friend building and vibrant alumni relations analysis, and enhancement planning to • Strategy 3.3.2 Support innovation and ensure continuous improvement creative approaches to teaching and learning GOAL 4 Create Collaborative Partnerships and Innovative Solutions to Advance our Community, Region, and State Objective 4.1: Collaborate intentionally with K-16 to build stronger educational opportunities for the region and state • Strategy 4.1.1: Serve as a key resource in the region for the creation of STEM initiatives in our partner K-16 institutions • Strategy 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 preprofessional areas with our partner K-16 institutions Objective 4.2: Leverage our intellectual capital to support and augment a dynamic region and state • Strategy 4.2.1: Expand and enhance partnerships in support of economic, educational and personal development for the citizens and enterprises in our region • Strategy 4.2.2: Expand opportunities for civic engagement Objective 4.3: Expand our Global Presence through national and international collaborations • Strategy 4.3.1: Encourage and support faculty seeking international research, teaching, collaborations and exchanges Page 3 • Strategy 4.3.2: Seek opportunities with our local business and industry for national and international internship experiences and exchanges Click here to return to Table of Contents Addressing Goal #1 Great Expectations at the University of South Carolina Aiken I n 2002, the Association of American Colleges and Action_final(2).pdf ), as a way of connecting learning. Still Universities, the nation’s organization with the most wellothers embraced the approach called 7 Revolutions, which organized and consistent message about the importance of focused on seven trends (one example: see how Fort Hayes a liberal arts & sciences curriculum, issued a report entitled integrated the 7 Revolutions http://www.fhsu.edu/teacherGreat Expectations: A New Vision for Learning as a Nation Goes scholar/volume2/Surviving_the/page1.html) currently to College. The report was the result of sustained work over a shaping the world and used those trends to provide links number of years that included discussions among the leaders between disciplines. The question raised during the Visioning of liberal arts & science universities, corporate and industry, process was, “Could we do more to create a more cohesive and higher education policy makers. Great Expectations sets and intentional general education curriculum that helped forth a model of education for a new century and calls “for a students to understand the essential purpose of the value of a dramatic reorganization of undergraduate education to ensure broad liberal arts and sciences education?” that all college aspirants receive not just access to college, but In addition to recommendations for an intentional “core an education of lasting value (p. vii).” It offers a compelling curriculum” that helps students understand how the mastery sketch of the kind of learning that students would need for a of knowledge, skills, and understandings in the “core” provide complex, global, and interconnected world—“ an invigorated basic intellectual skills at the heart of any major, several and practical liberal education task forces also recommended It offers a compelling as the most empowering form that USC Aiken be defined of learning for the twenty first sketch of the kind of learning by student engagement century (p. xi).” pedagogies. Research on that students would need According to Judith Ramaly, engaged learning emerged the chair of the AAC&U in the 1980’s and persists for a complex, global, and Commission that assembled the today. With each passing year, interconnected world report, “We envisioned students new approaches to research who are intentional learners who into how students learn and can adapt to new environments, integrate knowledge from the role of motivation to persistence and learning adds different sources, and continue learning throughout their lives, layers and aspects to the construct of student engagement. thriving because they are empowered through the mastery of Most recently, research in this topic comes not only from intellectual and practical skills; informed by knowledge of the educational fields but comes from brain science, psychology, natural and social worlds and about the forms of inquiry basic economic and demographic studies, student persistence to an understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit; studies, and more. Engagement of students in their own and responsible for their personal actions and willing to work education happens at USC Aiken through a variety of toward the public good.” strategies. Departments are using a variety of approaches: During the visioning process that we called “Forward undergraduate research, critical inquiry-based courses, Together,” USC Aiken faculty and staff recommended a similar leadership studies, service-learning, internships, and flipped approach to the vision outlined in Great Expectations. The classroom strategies to engage students. In the future, we desire is to highlight our liberal arts & science mission and will be collecting information on the types of engagement emphasize undergraduate teaching and learning excellence, strategies being utilized so the academic community can more while making certain that USC Aiken students receive an readily share best practices. intentional education that creates empowered learners through There are many paths toward realizing the visions engagement. expressed in Great Expectations and our own goals developed Institutions have implemented the recommendations in through Forward Together. My hope is that faculty and staff Great Expectations in various ways that enhanced their existing will continue to help the university determine the most strengths, but all are seeking to both engage students in their effective ways to provide educational coherence, encourage own learning inside and outside the classroom, and provide student engagement in learning in and beyond the classroom, students opportunities to practice what they are learning and to provide opportunities to increase student motivation, by engaging the community, their major disciplines, or by persistence, and achievement. addressing global issues. At select institutions, the focus was on providing more opportunities for internships, even in those disciplines that do not typically require internships. Other institutions turned to current topics, like sustainability (as an intro to this topic, see: http://www.aashe.org/files/A_Call_to_ Page 4 Click here to return to Table of Contents Family Fund Update From the Volunteers “Each year the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center staff steps up to the plate and continues to have a 100% Family Fund participation rate. It has become a goal of the entire RPSEC staff to be the 1st unit on campus to have 100% participation. I am proud to work with a group of people that find it important to give back to USC Aiken. Family is certainly a word that describes the people working at the RPSEC.” John Hutchens The Office of the Chancellor and the volunteers who worked on this year’s Family Fund campaign would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed this year. We are especially grateful to the departments who achieved a 100% participation rate, which include the Office of Advancement, Athletics, Chemistry/Physics, Communications, Education, Enrollment Services, History/Political Science/Philosophy, Library, Nursing, Psychology, and Sociology/Geography/Anthropology. We are very proud of our campus-wide participation rate, which remains the highest in the Carolina system. Page 5 “I couldn’t have been more pleased to see the Psychology Department once again reach 100% participation in the Family Fund, something we have accomplished many times. We have four new first-year faculty in the department and in just their first month on campus they realized the importance and impact that donating to the Family Fund has for our students, faculty and staff, and fundraising. Psychology faculty, like the others at USC Aiken, show the commitment, belief in our mission, and love we have for our campus in many ways, one of them each year when they reach into their pockets and give back to the university. The fact that so many of our campus family make gifts to the University, on top of their day-to-day efforts, makes USC Aiken a special place.” Ed Callen Click here to return to Table of Contents Congratulations to our Campus Citizen Janet Joy C A M P US C IT IZEN of the Month 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: Janet Joy • 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. Procurement Specialist 1 Congratulations to Janet Joy, Procurement Specialist I in Purchasing, USC Aiken’s October Campus Citizen of the Month. Thanks to her efforts, she will receive $20 gift card, a sign for her desk, and a parking spot. In her nomination, a peer stated that Janet always has a positive and friendly demeanor, a tremendous amount of patience, and a smile on her face, all while supporting the purchasing needs of the entire campus. She goes above and beyond in her work, following through and paying great attention to details. She helps people with purchase requisitions, working with vendors, and anything else with which they may need assistance. She answers questions in a timely manner and in an upbeat way. In recognition of her expertise and helpful spirit, Janet Joy has been named Campus Citizen of the Month. Congratulations Janet! Page 6 Monday Group will review the nominations and select each month’s winner. Contact Maria Chandler at MariaC@usca.edu for more information. Click here to return to Table of Contents The Division of Finance & Administration introduces Search Updates Brian Enter Senior University Facilities Executive Campus Catering Director (Aramark) Interviewing Brian has held positions of increasing responsibility in engineering and project management throughout his career. Most recently, he served as Supervisor for Mechanical and Civil Design at Plant Vogtle. Prior to his time at Plant Vogtle, he worked as a structural engineer and bridge engineer in private firms. Brian earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of South Carolina Columbia. Additionally, Enter holds Professional Engineering (P.E.) certifications in South Carolina and Georgia. Brian will come to USC Aiken with a number of projects in the pipeline, including the Penland Entrance Fountain, Starbucks in the SAC, and the Pedestrian Bridge. He will join USC Aiken on October 23, 2013. Dan Robb Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management The University of South Carolina Aiken has named Mr. Daniel Robb as its new Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management. Robb, who has most recently served as Dean of Enrollment Management at Community College of Philadelphia and the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management/ Associate Dean of Admissions at George Mason University, joined USC Aiken on September 30, 2013. He brings a wealth of higher education experience, having worked in the field for over 25 years. Robb holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, and a Master of Higher Education Administration from Columbia University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University at Albany – State University of New York. Page 7 Campus Executive Chef (Aramark) Hired Controller (Due to incumbent’s announced retirement) Advertisement active Operations – Selected Project Updates: Pedestrian Bridge: The SC Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued an encroachment permit related to the bridge and the plans are processing through DOT’s final review. Bid date is expected to be in late October/early November. Completion date will be determined once bids are awarded. Penland Fountain: This project has been bid out and is expected to be awarded within the next 2 weeks. Intended completion is early spring semester. Starbucks: Project has been announced to campus and prebid preparations are being made. Intended completion is early spring semester. If you have questions about these or other projects, please contact Joe Sobieralski at JoeS@usca.edu Click here to return to Table of Contents Dance Competition to Benefit Local Causes Returns to the USC Aiken Convocation Center D ancing with the Aiken Stars returns to the USC Aiken Convocation Center on November 21, 2013 at 7pm for a night of entertainment to benefit the Medical Clinic of Aiken County and the Child Advocacy Center. Tickets are on sale now online at www. uscatix.com, by phone 1-866722-8877 and at the USC Aiken Convocation Center Box Office. Tickets are $30 and include one vote. This year’s event will be emceed by Tom Williams and Betty Ryberg. Dancers participating will include Will Williams, Director of Economic Development Partnership of Aiken and Edgefield Counties; The Reverend Grant Wiseman, Rector of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church; Chuck Munns, Former President and CEO of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions; and Dr. Sandra Jordan, USC Aiken’s Chancellor. Prizes will be awarded to the pair and the group that receive the most votes. The judges Page 8 Ahmed Samaha and Aja Vaughn from 2012’s Dancing with the Aiken Stars contest. This year, Dr. Sandra Jordan will be competing from USC Aiken with dance partner Chuck Munns. will award a prize to their favorite among the pairs and groups performing. Judges for this year’s event include Marie Durrett, Sallye Rich, Robert Shellhouse and Jesse Colin Young. There will also be a People’s Choice Award. Click here to return to Table of Contents Students from Jadavpur University participate in the campus connection teleconference at the American Center in Kolkata, India. On screen are the USC Aiken students participating stateside. Campus Connections Teleconferencing bridges distance between USC Aiken students and international peers at Jadavpur University O n September 4th, 2013 some USC Aiken students had the unique opportunity to meet and talk with Indian students from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, through teleconferencing. Three USC Aiken students were chosen to watch the Bollywood movie Swades: We the People, a movie that touches on important cultural aspects of the Indian society and its pathway to globalization, and then discussed some of the main themes with their peers in India. The three USC Aiken students who actively participated in this conversation were Jamie Clifton, a communications major and international studies minor sophomore, Breana Jones, a communications major senior, and Patrick Stiebinger, a business major junior and an international student Page 9 from Germany. More students participated as the audience. The event was held early in the morning to accommodate the over nine hour time difference with Kolkata but that did not seem to bother our USC Aiken students. They were very excited, albeit a little apprehensive, about the opportunity to meet Indian peers without traveling thousands of miles away and it was a really enriching experience. As Jamie Clifton explained, “It was an amazing opportunity to broaden students’ horizons about cultural differences and I can’t wait until we can do this again!” The Indian students were similarly excited to share their views about their culture with our students. Students were so engaged in the conversation that after 15 minutes of running over the scheduled time, we had to agree that we have to “meet” again soon. The event in India was held at the American Center in Kolkata and it was the result of collaboration between Dr. Maria Anastasiou, Director of International Programs, and her colleague Dr. Iman Lahiri, Professor at the International Relations Department at Jadavpur University. The Director of the American Center in Kolkata greeted the students, expressed his great support of this collaboration, and urged the organizers to create more similar opportunities for our students. Two parties are already working on more programs and the USC Aiken International Programs office is more than happy to help any professor that would like to be part of this project. Click here to return to Table of Contents Oktoberfest held in Downtown Aiken O n Saturday evening, October 12th, USC Aiken in partnership with the City of Aiken, Aiken Downtown Development Association, and Aiken Young Professionals hosted Aiken’s Oktoberfest. The event, which featured live music, games, and Germanthemed food, and beverages, was attended by members of our community and USC Aiken students, with a final gate count in excess of 3,000 individuals. Several restaurants in the Alley even got into the spirit of Oktoberfest by featuring traditional German menu items that evening. To encourage student attendance, the City of Aiken provided trolley transportation between the campus and downtown. The event has received rave reviews throughout the community and we plan to participate again next year. Special thanks to Angel Miano, Ahmed Samaha, and Deidre Martin for their leadership on the Steering Committee and ein herzliches Dankeschön to our colleagues who volunteered to assist during the Oktoberfest. Artist Jim Harrison’s New Calendar on Sale At Security Federal Bank Locations Proceeds to Benefit Scholarship at USC Aiken R enowned South Carolina artist Jim Harrison has released his 2014 Coca-Cola calendar, which is now on sale at 10 area Security Federal Bank locations, to benefit a scholarship at the University of South Carolina Aiken. The calendars being sold are signed and numbered by Harrison, featuring a country store on the cover with the Coca-Cola logo depicted on the store’s side for $20 per calendar. Security Federal Bank locations in Evans, Wagener, Graniteville, all Aiken branches, Langley, Clearwater and North Augusta will sell the calendar through the end of January. Proceeds from the calendar sales will benefit the Anne Harrison Scholarship at USC Aiken in honor Page 10 of Jim Harrison’s mother. Harrison, of Denmark, S.C., has become known for his paintings chronicling rural life, whether it is at railroad stations, churches, one-room school houses, country stores, covered bridges or farm buildings. According to his official website, http://jimharrison.com, he has more than 100 limited edition reproductions to his name in his many years as an artist. Harrison is a licensed artist of The Coca-Cola Company and his art and writings have placed him among the nation’s foremost chroniclers of earlier Twentieth Century rural life. Harrison has had successful one-man shows at the prominent New York Hammer Galleries and the San Francisco Conacher Galleries. His works have also been included in annual shows at the prestigious National Academy Gallery in New York. Harrison says, “I sincerely try to put meaning to all of this in hopes it has some historical value. The subjects I’m interested in certainly need to be captured in books and on canvas. They were an important part of our past. With my art, what you see is what you get. I hope that my paintings need no explanation. I simply want to communicate my message to the common man on the street that claims to have no knowledge of art but does know what he likes.” For more information on Harrison’s new calendar, e-mail to tharrell@jimharrison.com. Click here to return to Table of Contents Pacer Shoppe Children’s Center Trick-or-treating Special Events: Just a reminder that classes from the Children’s Center will be trick-or-treating in their Halloween finest on Thursday, October 31st at 10 a.m. Pink Ribbon Tea with Mrs. Pastides on October 21st. The bookstore will be selling Mrs. Pastides’ new cookbook. Merchandise Updates: New gift items include: Tervis Tumblers with Pacer logo wraps, Pacer garden flags, various mugs and cups with either Pacer logo or University logo, Camelback spill proof bottle, smart iPad case with University logo, University banner, leather University padfolio and ID holders, and micro mink Sherpa blanket with University logo. In the way of clothing we now have glitter USC Aiken t’s, glitter sweatshirts, hoodies, various children’s clothing, baseball and basketball t’s, Nike shorts and t’s for men and women, and alumni t’s and long sleeve and short sleeve t’s with both the Pacer logo and University logo. New Merchandise is coming in everyday! All three classes will take part in the activity (including infants), so the group will limit their tour to a walk around the campus quad showing off their costumes and saying “hello!” There will be approximately 41 children in the group this year. Please come out for a “smile break.” If you plan to distribute candy, PLEASE remember that we can only have soft candy (no suckers). We hope you will join us and help make this day special for our littlest Pacers. Renovating This Fall? T he Aiken Standard and Prestige Appliance are proud to announce the annual Aiken Home Show coming to the USC Aiken Convocation Center this Friday, October 25th from noon to 7pm and Saturday, October 26th from Page 11 in remodeling, gardening, decorating, renovation, and more. Researching all of the latest materials and products available on the market can be time consuming – The Aiken Home Show makes that process easier. Tickets are $5 and 10am to 5pm. The Convocation remain valid both days of the Center will be transformed event. Children 12 years of age with exhibitors showcasing the and under do not need a ticket. latest in home and garden Tickets are on sale now and products and services. The may be purchased at the USC annual Aiken Home Show Aiken Convocation Center Box is the place for consumers Office. to experience what’s new Click here to return to Table of Contents Why Should I get a flu shot? Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends an annual flu shot for everyone over the age of six months. Along with cooler weather and sunshiny days, the fall/winter season brings the flu. The Student Health Center (SHC) can help YOU avoid the flu in a very simple way....by getting your FLU SHOT! Many people avoid the shot because they fear needles, but we are also frequently asked: Won’t a flu shot give me the flu? The answer is….NO! A flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccines, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-water shots, the only differences in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got the flu shot. There were no differences in terms of body aches, fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ about/qa/misconceptions.htm SO, stop by the SHC any time between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday-Friday to get your flu vaccine. Cost: $10 for students or $18 for faculty/staff. We hope to see you very soon. There are other behaviors that can help prevent the flu, too: • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Wash them for as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and then throw the tissue in the trash. • See your healthcare provider immediately if you have flu symptoms of : (Fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches; occasionally, stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) as you may be a candidate for antiviral treatment. • Stay home if you are sick until you have been symptom-free without taking fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours. • Try to avoid close contact with sick people. • Eat a healthy diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. For additional flu information, you can visit the CDC website www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm Page 12 Click here to return to Table of Contents Leadership USC Aiken: Creating Career and Community Leaders The Office of Career Services and the Office of Student Life proudly sponsors the Leadership USC Aiken: Creating Career and Community Leaders Certificate program. The Leadership USC Aiken: Creating Career & Community Leaders Certificate program will offer participants a unique academic and co-curricular leadership experience founded upon the principles of a liberal arts education. The program will provide: • A comprehensive leadership experience built upon the cornerstones of citizenship, service, career preparation, and leadership • Outstanding experiences which will make our participants more marketable in the competitive work place. • An opportunity to develop a network of outstanding leaders who will contribute to the University and their communities by being active and responsible citizens Participants will: • Learn skills that will make them effective leaders in their community and their profession by participating in both civic and workplace activities. • Understand how to transfer skills (i.e. communication, critical thinking, problem solving, etc.) developed through their academic courses and collegiate experiences into Page 13 career positions in a post graduate work place by observing these skills in real world settings. • Understand the dynamics of an organization’s culture through observing and reflecting on how decisions are made, how work is structured, how power is shared, how colleagues interact, how an organization’s mission/vision are implemented, and to what degree accountability and feedback are present in the organization. • Gain a greater understanding of their own personal identities and how their identities shape their leadership and career goals. • Have a variety of experiences which will increase their readiness to transition into a professional work setting. • Learn how to effectively articulate their set of practical skills and tools on a resume, portfolio and in interviews. Click here to return to Table of Contents Tobacco-free Initiative discussions begin USC Aiken has been awarded a grant to engage the USC Aiken community in the discussion, development and proposal of a Tobacco Free Policy. As a part of this grant, a Tobacco Free Task Force has been established with the following charge: • to evaluate the current policies on Tobacco at USC Aiken • review and implement a survey to determine the attitudes surrounding tobacco at USC Aiken • create a Tobacco Free Policy that is to be given to Chancellor Jordan. • The grant does not stipulate that USC Aiken must adopt this policy. That decision will be made at the cabinet level. Tobacco Free Initiative History The USC system was awarded a Tobacco Free Engagement Grant. This grant is to start the engagement process moving towards a Tobacco Free Environment. Since July 2013 the USC System schools have selected a representative on their campuses to chair the Tobacco Free Task Force. These representatives have been coming together for a monthly conference call to discuss aspects of the Tobacco Free initiative. USC Aiken has invited individuals to be a part of the USC Aiken Tobacco Task Force and will begin to have regular meetings beginning in September 2013. The goal of the Tobacco Free Grant is to evaluate the current policies on Tobacco at USC Aiken, review and implement a survey to determine the attitudes surrounding tobacco at USC Aiken and ultimately create a Tobacco Free Policy that is to be given to Chancellor Jordan. The grant does not stipulate that USC Aiken must adopt this policy. That decision will be made at the cabinet level. The grant has a year time line in place which is roughly outlined to the right. Time Line: • May 2013 – MOU signed • July 5, 2013 – Progress Report Due • July 1, 2013 - Faculty/Staff Survey being sent out via USCA List Serve on Wellness Activities and interest in Physical Activity, Nutrition and Tobacco Task Force • August 2013 – Committee recommendations sent to the Chancellor • September 2013 – First Committee Meeting Held • October 5, 2013 – Progress Report Due • Committee meetings in progress; Assessment reviewed and chosen ; Tobacco Vision and implementation time line created • January 5, 2014 – Progress Report Due • Assessment completed and analyzed; Engagement of campus partners; Town halls held • May 2014 - Policy recommendation forwarded to the Chancellor Time Commitment: Meetings: 1.25 hours twice a month Research and Review of materials: Varies each month: 2-4 hours a month depending on which areas need information gathered. Tobacco-Free Committee Members Mila Padgett, Chair Len Engle, Facilities Mgt Ahmed Samaha, Student Life Maria Chandler, Human Resources Carmen Williams, Advancement Brandon Aiken, Athletics Tim Lintner, Faculty Page 14 Hope Smith-Dunbar, Residence Life Cindy Gelinas, Counseling Center Ross Philbeck, Student Life Douglas Higbee, Faculty Sam LaMunion, Student, SGA President Terell Douglas Williams, Student, Residence Life Jesse Seilern, Student, Athlete Click here to return to Table of Contents