Supporters of USC, including alumni and students, attended the annual Carolina Day event to advocate for the passage of a bond bill for higher education. Participants addressed elected officials — including the newly instated governor — to push for this legislation that would provide funding for the state's deteriorating educational facilities and a new campus for the School of Medicine.
Tommy Preston, USC student body president for the class of '07 and alumni association president, stressed the importance of the bond bill.
“I think the bond bill is certainly the most critical piece, to make sure that we continue to keep our infrastructure afloat in some regards,” Preston said.
As a millennial, he also empathized with students struggling with rising prices for higher education.
“Tuition costs are impacted based on what the state of South Carolina gives us. The more we talk about that the more that we get legislators to continue to invest in higher education, the more cost effective it will be for South Carolina families,” Preston said.
South Carolina has not issued a capital improvement bond since 2001 and before then they were issued approximately every legislative session, or every other year. USC President Harris Pastides was positive about the future of the bill.
“I will tell you I am upbeat because nobody was overtly against it,” Pastides said. “We’re a long off from having votes, that’s going to happen later in the year so I would say I’m guardedly optimistic that we’ll go in the direction we hope to go to.”
Members of Student Government also attended Carolina Day to push for legislation that will benefit the university. Natalie Pita, secretary of government relations, spoke with a budget analyst who confirmed the "legal and technical capacity" are present for up to a billion-dollar bond. Meaning the next step is to get political backing from the state.
“So at this point, were just here showing how much of an impact USC has on the state and how important a bond bill is for us and why we think it should happen this year,” Pita said.
Pastides praised Student Government for their recently released student higher education report and honor roll that promotes increased student involvement in state government.
“I think they handled it very professionally, and it made today a little more tangible with respect to what we’re trying to accomplish,” Pastides said.
Notably, Gov. Henry McMaster on his first day as governor spoke at the event and took pictures with those in attendance. Many believe McMaster, a former Gamecock, will be a huge supporter of the university during his time in office.
“He has been deeply connected to the University of South Carolina and to the higher ed community for his entire career so he understands our issues,” Preston said, “He’s been a huge advocate for us in the past. If his past actions are any indication of what kind of governor he’s going to be for us, I think we all should be looking forward to some great things ahead.”