Higher education in South Carolina

[waverider]

Even in this economy the University of South Carolina's grants for research are up compared to last year. It is a reflection of the quality of research going on at USC and of the caliber of faculty applying for the grants.

http://www.columbiabusinessreport.com/news...last-year?rss=0

This is one of the gems in USC's crown that I don't think gets a lot of publicity--but it's also now in danger in light of the budget cuts. Some of the same faculty who are working hard to get grants are the same ones who may be on the chopping block in the next round of budget cuts. Fewer faculty, particularly in health sciences, means fewer grant applications--and that affects not just the faculty, but those project managers, research associates, and other support staff. Not to mention that even the grant awards are being reduced by funders. It's a tough time to be on soft money. But kudos to USC for continuing to make progress in getting grant awards.

[CorgiMatt]

Remmington College is coming to South Carolina. They're going to teach insurance and medical coding.

http://www.thestate.com/747/story/741660.html

[CorgiMatt]

We can forget about population growth and quality of life in this state if something doesn't change with higher education funding. We are going to forever be the laughing stock.

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/ap...education79937/

[Spartan]

It says there will be more in tomorrow's P&C. It will be interesting to see what sort of analysis they have done.

[CorgiMatt]

Today USC will announce the largest research grant in the history of the institution. A $12.5 million grant will be used for energy-related nanotechnology research at the Energy Frontier Research Center. This is huge for putting S.C. on the map for new energy research and development, which is one of this nation's and the world's most important fields of research.

[CorgiMatt]

Note: USC's website says it's one of the largest grants in the University's history, not the largest. But it says it is the largest grant in that college's history. Also, the grant is prestigous in that it was one of only 15 announced by the White House.

[CorgiMatt]

WIS News says what The State newspaper said, that it is the largest research grant in the university's history. The attached article explains the significance of this terrific announcement.

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10286446

[waccamatt]

Hopefully this will give Innovista a nice shot in the arm.

[Spartan]

Y'all, this is a HUGE announcement for USC and the state of South Carolina. According to the news release on the USC website, this is THE largest award in the university

[GvilleSC]

The Greenville-Clemson bond is growing. University President Jim Barker says plans are still in the works to located the school's MBA program in downtown Greenville. They're currently trying to secure a Main Street address for their 270 MBA students' classes.

[goodbye]

Don't forget the Renaissance Center, also located in Greenville's downtown.

Edited July 6, 2009 by Skyliner

[GvilleSC]

Don't forget the Renaissance Center, also located in Greenville's downtown.

Indeed! If I remember correctly, their location in the Liberty building was to be only a temporary home. I assume the addition of other operations in the CBD will mean combining these programs at the same address. I guess another possible location could very well be Main @ Broad, too. The Greenville Journal said we could expect to hear some announcements about that building sometime this summer...

[CorgiMatt]

A major announcement is upon us. It involves research. A press conference will be held at the State House Thursday morning.

http://www.columbiabusinessreport.com/news...-thursday?rss=0

[GvilleSC]

It is simply an award?

[Spartan]

Wow.

They say it "represents a five-year collaborative award and combines world-class science from 10 of the state

[Spartan]

The National Science Foundation has awarded South Carolina $20 million to establish an alliance in the field of biofabrication, which could lead to the production of human organs.

The colleges involved are:

Clemson University

Medical University of South Carolina

University of South Carolina

Claflin University

S.C. State University

Voorhees College

Furman University

USC-Beaufort

Denmark Tech

Greenville Tech

Link

[krazeeboi]

This is pretty huge and it's great to see such a wide array of schools participating, but I must say that I'm disappointed that none of the Pee Dee/Grand Strand schools are included (Francis Marion, Coastal Carolina, etc.). Although I would imagine that the statewide tissue biofabrication center to be created would be established in Columbia (central location) or Charleston (lead scientist for the project is at MUSC), it would be good to at least see Francis Marion or Coastal considered as a location. The Pee Dee is the only region of the state without a research institution, and something like this would certainly help raise the research profiles of those schools.

[erm1981]

Its good to see some of the larger tech schools particularly Greenville Tech making this list. Pretty cool.

[Spartan]

I thought that the Tech school's inclusion was unusual. Typically "research" is outside of their mission, so I'm curious to know what their role is in the overall process. USC-Beaufort falls in that same category even though it's a 4 year campus.

[krazeeboi]

From the article in GoUpstate.com:

[Spartan]

Ok, I checked out the press releases on some of the school's websites. The press release provides more information about what this grant will actually involve:

[*]Expansion of a current Medical University of South Carolina bioprinting program into a statewide Advanced Tissue Biofabrication center;

[*]Recruitment of 22 new faculty members with expertise not currently available in South Carolina;

[*]Creation of a global e-community to facilitate the development of sophisticated databases in vascular technology;

[*]Establishment of national and international academic industrial collaborations and the integration of statewide initiatives for workforce development, education and communication to the general public; and

[*]Integration of the alliance

[CorgiMatt]

USC gets its chunk of change the lady from Lake City promised.

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10827000

[Spartan]

A study released by USC's Moore School of Business reports that only 15% of South Carolinians hold a college degree. If that percentage were increased to 30%, South Carolina could gain about 44,500 jobs and increase income levels across the state.

USC Press Release (Includes link to full report)

[krazeeboi]

It's good to see some concrete numbers be associated with this, but the Legislature will go on, doing what it's always been doing. This means nothing to them.

[CorgiMatt]

USC has been awarded a top green ranking by the Princeton Review, earning 95 out of 99 possible points. It is the only SC university to make the list. The school is opening its fourth green building this year.

http://www.sc.edu/news/newsarticle.php?nid=392