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Staff Spotlight- Stefanie Burke

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:19:51 +0000

Stefanie D. Burke

Position: Coordinator of Leadership Programs & Women’s Student Services

What your job entails:

For Leadership Programs: Coordinate leadership training and development programming that ranges from 1 hour workshops and 1 day conferences to 2 day retreats and 8 week long certificate programs; supervise graduate assistant and student leadership team; provide consulting on various leadership topics and disseminate resources to students, campus departments, and university partners

For Women’s Student Services: Coordinate programming such as the Women’s Mentor Network and women’s history month to educate, empower, and mentor women students; work collaboratively with campus partners such as Carolina Beautiful, the Carolina Women’s Community, and the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Issues to support and celebrate women on this campus

Some of my favorite books: Eat, Pray, Love – Leading with Soul – Outliers – and all of the Harry Potter books

To Do List: Women’s History Month calendar and programming; leadership and service award application and committee processes; planning for all 3 award ceremonies, including Leadership & Service Awards, TOAST Breakfast, & Outstanding Woman of the Year; recruitment of next year’s student leadership team; promoting Skill Builder Leadership Workshops for February & March, planning & recruiting for LEAD Retreat 2012 in May

FYI

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:15:43 +0000

Harvard Conference Seeks to Jolt University Teaching- The Chronicle

Cocky’s Reading Express: SCBT and USC partner on financial literacy program- The Times and Democrat

Colleges react to pest and disease outbreaks- Inside Higher Ed

Tunnel of Awareness – Exhibit Designers Needed!

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:07:11 +0000

Are you interested in bringing a diversity program to USC? The Planning Committee is looking for student leaders to help organize the 2nd annual Tunnel of Awareness. The Tunnel of Awareness is a campus diversity initiative originally developed at Western Illinois University and replicated across the country. The initiative stemmed from searching for a way to represent the realities of oppression in a full sensory experiential manner. It is intended to be an eye-opening opportunity for students to experience discrimination through images, videos, and scenarios that specific oppressed populations experience on a daily basis.

Please click here for more information and to submit a proposal.

Date: Monday and Tuesday April 2^nd and 3^rd

Time: 2-8pm

Location: Campus Capstone Room

*All groups that submit a proposal must set-up the exhibit on Sunday April 1^st*

If you have any questions, please email Marcy LaBossiere (labossie@mailbox.sc.edu).

Black History Month Events Calendar

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:05:42 +0000

The entire calendar of events for Black History Month can be found here!

Skill Builders: Leadership Workshop on Wednesday!

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:03:31 +0000

Skill Builders are monthly leadership workshops sponsored by Student Organizations & Leadership Programs to assist student leaders in enhancing their leadership skills and developing the essential skills necessary to work and lead effectively with others. This week’s workshop will include information on how to transition in and out of office effectively, start your term on the right foot, and to leave the organization better then you found it!

The Secret of Job Search Success

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:02:39 +0000

The Career Center is hosting The Secret of Job Search Success on Saturday, March 31^st. Registration is open to undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Students who attend the conference will:

‑ identify their marketable experience, skills and qualities

‑ establish geographic and industry targets

‑ learn how to identify and research potential employers

‑ learn how to write an effective cover letter and resume

‑ gain insight on successful interviewing skills

‑ distinguish between active and passive job search strategies

‑ identify networking contacts

‑ establish concrete goals for executing an effective job search

‑ research market trends and salary norms

‑ observe salary negotiation skills

‑ identify criteria for 1st year success on the job

Event Details:

Saturday, March 31, 2012

9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Free lunch will be provided)

Career Center, H. William Close Bldg., 6th floor

For a complete agenda or to register for this event, please see http://www.sc.edu/career/Events/Secret/agenda.html.

For more information contact Alicia Bervine at abervine@sc.edu.

The Rotary Global Grants Workshop

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:01:51 +0000

The Rotary Global Grants Workshop will be Monday, February 20, 2012 at 3:30 pm in the Gressette Room, Harper College 3rd floor. Available to juniors and above to fund scholarships with sustainable, high-impact outcomes in one of Rotary’s six areas of focus domestically or abroad as determined by each Rotary District. Application Deadline to local clubs: Spring 2012. Please remind students that if they can’t make the workshop that we do have daily drop in hours and can schedule appointments at their convenience. Applicants must be sponsored by a local Rotary club in their permanent residence or in District 7770 (SC Midlands and Coast). Applications are due to Rotary clubs spring 2012 for study during the 2013-2014 academic year. Awards are up to $27,000 for study abroad or research.

Gamecocks Go Carbon Neutral for Green Game Against Miss State

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:00:12 +0000

WHAT: Gamecocks Go Carbon Neutral for Green Game Against Miss State
WHEN: Wednesday, February 29, 2012, Columbia SC, 8:00 PM
WHERE: Colonial Life Arena (map: http://g.co/maps/7pxw8)
WHO: Green Initiative of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

Gamecocks Basketball and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s Green Initiative Team are joining up Wednesday, February 29 to host a USC first: a game in which all of the energy consumed by both teams and fans traveling to and working in the Colonial Life Arena will be matched by carbon emission offsets. Student-athletes will be on hand in the Colonial Life Arena’s concourse areas to provide information for fans.

The strategy devised by Erin Fedewa (Women’s Cross Country, Marine Science) and Nicole Rheinlander (Women’s Cross Country, International Business and Accounting) swaps energy consumed at the February 29 game with reforestation and energy savings in other campus activities. Fedewa and Rheinlander brought together students, student athletes, staff, administrators and fans to initiate what will be first of many carbon neutral events.

Gamedays impact the environment in numerous ways: a fan’s car emits about 1 lb of carbon/mile on the way two and from the stadium. The electricity consumed by the stadium and parking lights during the game would exceed normal residential usage by game attendees over the same time period. While some NBA games have purchased foreign carbon credits, Fedewa and Rheinlander managed carbon locally through a program of planting trees and swapping incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Carbon offsets work by accounting for carbon waste with complementary savings. Depending on the type and age of the tree, planting 3 – 5 trees can offset 1 ton of carbon throughout their lifetime. Through this act of carbon sequestration, local reforestation efforts over time remove the carbon placed in the air while traveling to the game. The offsets associated with trees also account for a nearly 60 percent reduction in water and air pollution. The Green Initiative team, with the help of student-athletes, have planted eight shade trees leading up to the game.

Emissions will also be offset for the February 29 game with the replacement of incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. These CFL’s are 75% more energy efficient than standard bulbs. If every dorm room on the USC campus were to do this, we would save enough energy to light thousands of homes for a year, save millions in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gas emissions. Plantings and light bulb exchanges will continue after the basketball game to achieve the carbon offset target based on game energy reports. Light bulb exchange efforts are being made in cooperation with the USC EcoRep Program and other USC undergrads in RecycleMania 2012.

For more information, see: http://sc.edu/quad/carbonneutralbasketball

The History of Whiteness

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:59:05 +0000

WHO: David Roediger, Kendrick C. Babcock Professor of history and African American Studies at University of Illinois, Visiting professor at USC Department of History, Spring 2012.
WHAT: The History of Whiteness
WHEN: Wednesday Feb 22, 7:00 PM
WHERE: Green Quad Learning Center, Room 102

Sustainable Carolina is proud to host a presentation on “The History of Whiteness” by David Roediger, distinguished History professor and this semester’s resident faculty member in the Green Quad. Professor Roediger is among the most widely recognized scholars in the history profession over the last twenty years for causing scholars to think critically about how categories of race are created.

Roediger’s interest in whiteness emerged from his training in African American history. In 1991, he published The Wages of Whiteness: Race and the Making of the American Working Class, which among other awards received the Merle Curti Prize for US Social History from the Organization of American Historians. Among the book’s many achievements was to destabilize race categories and show how the American working class received a psychological wage by constructing a “white” identity in opposition to their fellow black workers. Roediger’s presentation will mark the 20th anniversary of the publication of The Wages of Whiteness and will celebrate his semester-long role as the Green Quad’s visiting faculty member. Find more information about Dr. Roediger at http://www.cas.sc.edu/hist/frontpage/roedigerannounce.html.

For more information on this event, see: http:// sc.edu/green/DavidRoediger

Basics of Aquaponics Workshop

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:56:53 +0000

· WHAT: Basics of Aquaponics Workshop

· WHEN: Thursday, March 1^st at 6:00 PM

· WHERE: City Roots Urban Farm (map: http://g.co/maps/7bgaz)

· WHO: Davis Johnson, Matt Kip, and Eric McClam (City Roots Farm Manager)

· WHY: To gain a basic knowledge of how aquaponic systems function, different system designs, what makes aquaponic systems sustainable, and how to design and create your own system.

The Sustainable Carolina Food Team will be offering a “Basics of Aquaponics” workshop as part of our series of garden workshops. Davis Johnson and Matt Kip of Sustainable Carolina will make plain how aquaponic systems work, differences between the various types of system setups, what makes these systems sustainable, and how attendees can go about designing/creating their own aquaponic system.

Davis and Kip will be joined by Eric McClam, City Roots Farm Manager, giving his experience on these systems and how they compare to more conventional agricultural/gardening methods. This workshop offers anyone interested in sustainability and food issues the opportunity to learn more about these issues and engage in stimulating conversation with other interested students. Since this workshop is being held at City Roots, a local model of sustainable agriculture, participants will have the opportunity to view first-hand the implementation of an aquaponic system in a commercial setting. Having a large scale working system for attendees to view will also help them more easily grasp how these systems are set up and work.

Aquaponics is an alternative form of agriculture that combines hydroponics (growing plants in water rather than soil) and aquaculture (raising fish in ponds/tanks or a controlled environment, i.e. fish farming). When done correctly, aquaponic systems can yield high output of fish and vegetables with much less inputs than conventional agricultural/gardening methods. Aquaponic systems have appreciable potential as sustainable alternatives to more conventional agricultural/gardening methods.

For more information, see: http://sc.edu/green/aquaponics

UPCOMING STUDY ABROAD WORKSHOPS!

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:55:36 +0000

Financing Study Abroad Part 1: Finding an Affordable Program
Find out how to find an overseas program that fits within your budget
Wednesday, February 22nd at 4:00, Legare 322
Click here to RSVP!

Financing Study Abroad Part 2: Scholarship Tips & Techniques
Learn how to beat out the competition
Thursday, February 23rd at 3:30, Legare 322
Click here to RSVP!

Alternatives Abroad: Work, Intern, Teach, Volunteer, & Research Overseas!
Discover ways to go beyond studying abroad
Wednesday, February 29th at 4:00, Legare 322
Click here to RSVP!

Marketing Your International Experience
Sell your study abroad experience to employers and get an edge in the job market
Thursday, March 15th at 3:30, Legare 322
Click here to RSVP!

Financing Study Abroad Part 3: Budgeting for Education Abroad
Prepare to have a great time abroad without breaking the bank
Early April (Date and Time TBA), Legare 322
Click here to RSVP!

Student Health Services and Events

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:53:03 +0000

5K, Mindful Mondays, Suicide Prevention Training, Carolina Beautiful and more!

Suicide Prevention Training Feb. 22

Join the USC community in creating an atmosphere of caring and responsiveness by participating in Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training this spring. Why get trained? You are more likely to interact with a student in emotional distress or experiencing a suicidal crisis than a student in cardiac arrest or choking. Suicide is the most preventable form of death, yet suicide is a leading cause of death in the college student population. Eight out of 10 people considering suicide give some sign of their intentions. This is your opportunity to learn how to intervene and:

· Enhance your awareness, knowledge, and skills concerning college student suicide

· Learn the signs to identify students at risk and how to connect a student with the appropriate service

· Improve your skills and gain confidence in your ability to intervene

· Stay informed about mental health resources on campus

Training is provided by Jennifer Myers, Coordinator of Suicide Prevention Services, Counseling & Human Development Center, and takes place on the following dates:

Feb 22 10 am to noon Russell House room 303

March 13th 2 pm to 4 pm Russell House room 302

April 5th 11 am to 1 pm Russell House room 305

April 25th 11 am to 1 pm Russell House room 305

Visit www.sa.sc.edu/shs/chdc/prevention/to register for any of the above sessions. All students, faculty and staff are invited.

Changing Carolina 5K Feb. 25

Campus Wellness and Changing Carolina Peer Leaders are joining forces to bring you the 2^nd Annual Changing Carolina 5K race on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 10:00 am. This is a FREE race for current USC students, faculty and staff only. Set the Pace for your Health by registering online now as a RUNNER or a WALKER! Pre-registration closes Wednesday, February 22 at 5:00pm. For more information and to register, visit http://www.sa.sc.edu/shs/cw/5k. For any further questions, contact Nicole Stowers (stowersn@mailbox.sc.edu).

Mindful Mondays

Join Laura Rooney for drop in mindful meditation practice on the first and third Mondays January through April from 12:15 to 1 pm in the Lounge in the Center for Sustainable Futures (West [Green] Quad building). This is for you if you’re interested in practicing or continuing to develop inner health or well-being. No registration is required.

Carolina Beautiful “Celebrate Your Body” Week events Feb. 20-24

Did you know that on any given day 25% of American men and 45% of women are on a diet? February 20-24 marks the National Eating Disorders Association’s (NEDA) annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The campus of the University of South Carolina will honor this week by hosting a number of events promoting positive body image. The goal of the program is to help the campus community view their bodies in a positive way and to prevent the development of body image issues and eating disorders.

Events include:

Mirrorless Monday

Mirrors in restrooms around campus will be covered with paper to limit the time spent looking in the mirror and help shift people’s focus from physical appearance to more important aspects of life.

Beautiful Lengths: Haircuts for cancer patient wigs Monday, Feb. 20, 6 pm, Russell House Ballroom

All USC students, faculty and staff with a minimum of eight inches of hair to spare can donate locks toward the creation of a beautiful wig for a cancer patient. Take this opportunity to make a statement that you don’t hide behind your hair—you’re proud of who you are underneath! Your haircut will not only be free, but you will get a great style from an experienced stylist, VIP seating on Feb. 21 for keynote speaker Whitney Thompson, winner of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 10. For haircut appointments, contact Christina Galardi at galardic@email.sc.edu.

The Main Event: Whitney Thompson Tuesday, February 21, 8 p.m., Russell House Ballroom

Women around the world cheered when Whitney Thompson became the first woman to win America’s Next Top Model as a plus-sized model. Whitney will give an inspiring talk about body acceptance and discuss how she never let self-esteem, body image or society hold her back. She will delve into lessons that young people of all shapes and sizes should learn to avoid falling into the downward spiral of pleasing others.

Free Movie Screening: Bigger, Stronger, Faster Wednesday, February 22, 7:30 p.m., Russell House Ballroom C

It’s not just women who experience pressure from society to look a certain way—men experience it too. In America, men are praised for being the biggest, strongest, fastest and having six-pack abs. At its heart, this is the story of director Christopher Bell and his two brothers who grew up idolizing muscular giants like Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and who went on to become members of the steroid-subculture in an effort to realize their American dream. Dr. Eric Williams, fitness guru and Student Health Services psychiatrist, will lead a reaction-based discussion following the screening of this movie. Men, as well as women, are strongly encouraged to attend this moving film!

Eating Disorder Panel Discussion Thursday, February 23, 4 p.m., Russell House room 315

This inspirational discussion brings the reality of living with an eating disorder to light. Courageous USC students will tell their heart-felt personal stories. The purpose of the session is to help raise awareness about the many faces eating disorders and the paths to recovery.

Life-Sized Barbie & GI Joe All Week

If scaled into real life proportions, Barbie would be 5 feet, 9 inches tall and have a 36 inch bust, 18 inch waist and 33 inch hips. She would also lack the requisite 17 to 22 percent of body fat required to menstruate. USC’s chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers is creating life-size models of Barbie & GI Joe, which you can see around campus to learn how we’ve been bombarded with distorted images of “perfection” since childhood.

www.sa.sc.edu/shs/cw/cb

Project Condom Fashion Show Feb. 28

Campus Wellness has 15 student designer teams working hard as we speak to perfect their fashions made solely out of condoms for this year’s annual Project Condom Fashion Show! In its fifth year at USC, this wildly fun, funny, fashionable and educational event will pack the Russell House Ballroom and be standing room only again. Celebrity designer Mondo Guerra, who appeared on Project Runway season eight and is a contestant on Project Runway All Stars, will judge the garments and declare a winner. The audience will also have a chance to vote for their favorite designs. Doors open at 7 pm for this Feb. 28^th event and the show begins at 8.www.sa.sc.edu/shs/cw/projectcondom/

Hero Awards nominations due March 1

The annual Hero Awards recognize members of the campus community who have helped others out in ordinary ways that ended up making an extraordinary impact on the life of another. While small deeds may go unrecognized, it is important to showcase the truly momentous impact that individual deeds have on our campus community. These accountable bystanders have gone above and beyond to help friends, classmates, coworkers, and complete strangers. They pay attention to what is going on around them and possess empathy and compassion, which enables them to “Stand Up” and make a difference in the lives of others. Nominations may be submitted here before March 1, 2012. Nominees will be recognized at the third annual Hero Awards Banquet on March 21, 2012 at 9 a.m. in the Capstone room. The Hero Awards are part of the Stand Up Carolina initiative, which is coordinated by the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention. Hero Awards nominations: http://www.sa.sc.edu/shs/savip/hero/ Stand Up Carolina: http://www.sa.sc.edu/shs/savip/

Free Women’s Self Defense Class

When you can recognize and respond effectively to potentially dangerous situations, you are not only less likely to become a target of crime, but also more confident in your everyday activities. As part of January’s National Stalking Awareness Month activities, Student Health Services Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention is offering female students, faculty and staff a free self-defense class this spring: March 30 and April 9. Each class takes place at the Strom Wellness & Fitness Center room 116 from 1 to 5 pm. Registration is required at (803) 777-8248.

Space Available in Counseling Center Support Groups

The Counseling & Human Development Center is accepting student registrations for spaces in spring support groups addressing anxiety, substance abuse, GLBTQ issues, men’s issues, mood and food, repetition of negative behaviors, sexual abuse and more. Also offered are writing therapy, self-hypnosis and relaxation training, a graduate student-only general support group, and general support group therapy for all students. Registration must be completed prior to the group/workshop to ensure a reserved space. Enrollment for each group/workshop is limited. Support groups are free and offered to students only. Full group descriptions, facilitator names, dates and times are at www.sa.sc.edu/shs/chdc. To register for a group, call (803) 777-5223 or stop by the Counseling & Human Development Center, Byrnes building 7th floor.

Flu arrives at USC–vaccine available!

The Thomson Student Health Center saw its first confirmed case of flu virus in late January! The flu is highly contagious—people with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Once you get it, the fever, chills and exhaustion can last for up to ten days, which can completely derail your academic studies, or use up a significant chunk of your sick leave. The staff at the health center wants you to avoid the flu—avoid missing school, work, all the fun activities you do with your friends and family—by simply walking in the clinic and getting the flu vaccine TODAY. We’re located right behind the Russell House, and all students, faculty and staff are welcome to come get it. We’re open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and from 4 to 8 pm on Sundays. Vaccines are $15 for students and $25 for faculty and staff. We take Carolina Card for payment in addition to cash, checks and debit and credit cards. For details about preventing flu virus and the getting the vaccine, visit http://www.sa.sc.edu/shs/flu or call (803) 777-9511. Getting the vaccine is the single best way to keep the flu from affecting your dreams and success—so we hope to see you soon!

Omani Culture Night

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:49:36 +0000

The Omani Student Association at USC is presenting the event “Omani Culture Night” in the Russell House Ballroom Thursday, February 23^rd at 7PM. For their first big event they will have a selection of traditional Omani performances and music and more.

Division Recognition Nominations

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:47:37 +0000

We are now accepting nominations for the Division Recognition Awards to be announced at the Annual Recognition Breakfast. Please follow the link below for award descriptions and nomination forms at the Professional Development Team website.

Nominations are due by March 2, 2012.

Division Recognition Awards

February Division Meeting

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:46:56 +0000

Join us for the Division Meeting on February 24^th, 2012. This month we will be receiving some brief updates From Dr. Dennis Pruitt, an introduction to the new GPS, Degree Works, by Aaron Marterer from the Registrar’s Office. Tom Halasz will also provide updates from the Career Center.

Please arrive in the RHUU Ballroom for coffee and networking from 8:00-8:30am, as the program will start promptly at 8:30am. Please RSVP at the following link:

https://uscpdteam.wufoo.com/forms/division-meeting-february-24-rhuu-ballroom/

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Charrette with Michael Koman

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:28:32 +0000

WHAT: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Charrette with Michael Koman
WHEN: Tuesday, February 21^st 6:00pm-9:00pm
WHERE: Green Quad, Learning Center for Sustainable Futures
WHO: Michael Koman, USC Director of Sustainability

The annual LEED Charrette is back and will be presenting a three part series this year! The first part will be held on Tuesday, February 21^st from 6:00 PM-9:00 PM and will be composed of an engaging presentation by USC Director of Sustainability, Michael Koman, geared towards educating students on LEED, LEED Certification, and the charrette process.

LEED is the premier system utilized throughout the world and by USC to design, construct and certify a building as ‘green’. It addresses issues such as sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy efficiency and climate, indoor air quality and material and resources. USC currently has over 600,000 sq. ft. of green buildings on campus and by the end of 2013 will surpass 1 million sq. ft. These projects will effectively save the university over $1.5 million every year in energy and maintenance costs. Some of the LEED certified projects on campus include Green Quad, Honors Residence Hall, Patterson Hall and the Darla Moore School of Business that is under construction.

This training will cover an introduction to green buildings, the US Green Building Council and the professional accreditation process. It will then go into detail on what the LEED certification system is and how it works. As the sessions progress participants will participate in design charrette for a real project and experience the green design process. This will all be done at no charge compared to paying hundreds of dollars for the same training elsewhere. Students interested in taking the LEED exam will then be provided with study materials at no cost and organized into self-study groups to work towards the exam in the future.

Following these events, students who would like to further their contribution will have the opportunity to take the LEED Green Associate Exam. Sustainable Carolina will be able to set up study sessions once or twice a week to prepare for the exam. Exams may be taken at anytime.

For more information, please see: http://sc.edu/green/LEEDcharrette

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CONTACT: Davis Johnson, 770-363-3990, john2537@email.sc.edu or Malte Wieland, 803-777-0833, weiland@fmc.sc.edu

NEW Study Abroad Listserv for Faculty/Staff!

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:07:16 +0000

The Study Abroad Office has a new email listserv dedicated specifically to USC faculty/staff. The listserv will be sent once per week at most, delivering information on workshops, presentations, research articles, and professional opportunities for faculty/staff members, as well as information to share with your students. If you would like to sign up to receive the newsletter, please visit www.studyabroad.sc.edu/listserv or contact us at studyabroad@sc.edu.

Nominate or Apply for the 2012 Leadership and Service Awards!

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:06:15 +0000

Are you someone making a difference in the Carolina Community? Do you know someone who is?

Nominate or apply today for the 2012 Leadership and Service Awards available on-line at: www.sa.sc.edu/lsawards.

Help us to honor outstanding University of South Carolina students, faculty, and staff for their contributions to the community. These traditional awards include:

* Jessica Horton Outstanding New Student Leader

* Strom Thurmond/Steve Cannon Carolina Cares Scholarship

* Outstanding Student Organization Service Award

* Advisor of the Year Award

* Caroliniana Awards

…And many more!

Visit www.sa.sc.edu/lsawards to find a full description of awards and the requirements. All applications are due by Monday, February 27, 2012.

For more information, please visit the Campus Life Center, Russell House University Union Suite 227 or call 803-777-7130 with questions.

Discover Program

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:05:18 +0000

Encourage your students to participate in the Discover program:

The DISCOVER PROGRAM is an 8-week, not-for-credit seminar aimed at connecting and developing relationships with faculty; understanding current issues related to ethics, intellectual property, and copyright laws; learning about opportunities for funding and showcasing research; and creating a plan for research during your college experience.

Each week we will meet for one hour to go over topics related to getting you started in undergraduate research at USC. Head to http://www.sc.edu/our/discover.shtml for the schedule of topics.

February 15 – April 11

Wednesdays 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Russell House: room 302

Request for Funding Proposals – sponsored by the Parents Annual Fund

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:03:51 +0000

Each year, parents of Carolina students donate money to the Parents Annual Fund, which is sponsored by the Office of Parents Programs. The money is used to fund programs to benefit undergraduate students at the university. For 2012, the Office of Parents Programs is offering up to $30,000 in available funding through the Parents Annual Fund, which can fund one or more projects. The project(s) must be one‐time capital expenditures with high visibility and broad‐based student appeal focusing on current undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina.More information is attached. The deadline to submit a proposal is Monday, Feb. 27. For more information, contact Melissa Gentry, director of parents programs, at mfgentry@sc.edu or 777-5937.

For all the details: request-for-funding-proposals

President’s Volunteer Service Award

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:02:49 +0000

Are you keeping track of the service you are doing in the community? Would you like to be recognized nationally for the community service that you do? America has a long and proud tradition of volunteer service. Now more than ever, volunteers are renewing their commitment to helping others and making new connections that bring us closer together as families, as neighbors, as communities, and as a Nation. The President’s Volunteer Service Award program is a great way to thank and honor those who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation, and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives. If you have contributed 100 plus hours of community service during the last 12 months and would like to be considered for this award, start keeping track of your hours for final submission and recognition in April at the Leadership & Service Awards Ceremony!

Parents Weekend, Homecoming 2012 dates set

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:01:46 +0000

The start of football season is still months away, but on the heels of a record 11-win season in 2011, the University of South Carolina has scheduled its annual special events for the 2012 football season.

Parents Weekend and Homecoming are two weekends scheduled each fall that bring thousands of families of current students and alumni, respectively, to campus for a weekend of activities.

The home football game against new SEC foe the University of Missouri on Saturday, Sept. 22 will coincide with Parents Weekend, which runs Sept. 21-23.

Parents Weekend, held each fall, offers families the chance to visit their students on campus to participate in educational sessions, open houses, social events and athletic contests during a fun and informative weekend. In 2011, the university hosted nearly 6,300 people who registered to participate in the activities and many more came to campus just to spend time with their students. Registration for the weekend’s activities is required, and more information will be available through the Office of Parents Programs at www.sa.sc.edu/parents.

Jerry Brewer, USC’s associate vice president for student affairs, is excited that parents will be able to see the Gamecocks play Missouri in its first year in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during Parents Weekend.

“On top of all the many activities for families to participate in during Parents Weekend, they will have the opportunity to see a great new SEC rivalry as Missouri plays here in Columbia,” he said.

Homecoming Week will culminate on Saturday, Nov. 10 when the Gamecocks take on the University of Arkansas. During the week, students will participate in spirit activities and alumni will return to campus for reunion events and gameday celebrations.

Brewer notes that South Carolina and Arkansas both joined the SEC in 1991, so playing the Razorbacks for Homecoming during the year of the league’s first expansion since is a great way to mark the special weekend.

“Playing Arkansas, our great SEC western division rival, during Homecoming provides the perfect backdrop for a week to celebrate our students and alumni,” he said.

More details, including game times and event schedules, will be announced at a later date. For more information on these special events, contact the Department of Student Life at 803-777-5782.

Seeking Student Volunteers for Scholars Day

sastayinformed — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:00:27 +0000

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is seeking current students to showcase a USC experience they have had, which will help prospective students learn more about the opportunities available at USC. Students will create displays based on their experiences at Carolina (materials provided by request). Topics may include but are not limited to: Study abroad experiences, student organization involvement, on-campus jobs, undergraduate research, and more. For more information, please contact Amy McCoy at amccoy@sc.edu or 803-777-5499.