USC's student senate session witnessed the induction of new executive staff members and the passage of two new pieces of legislation on Wednesday. One of the bills passed aims to allocate funds for Student Government during the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The inaugural session of USC's 116th student senate witnessed the election of a new speaker pro tempore and the referral of one piece of legislation to all committees. The legislation was a bill to allocate funds for Student Government during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Pending approval, USC plans to launch a degree in applied sport psychology and counseling and an environmental law and sustainability post-baccalaureate certificate in 2025. The hope is that the new degree will help teach students how mental health can affect a player's performance, while the certificate will look at training participants in how they can help make business practices more sustainable.
AI is being used by researchers at USC's Carolina Autism and Neurodevelopment Research Center to better understand and diagnose autism in infants.
After officially closing down in 2023, Richland Mall is set to begin its redevelopment into a lifestyle shopping center. Located at the entrance of Forest Acres, the project will include the addition of a grocery store, retail spaces and restaurants in the style of a town center.
The Student Government inauguration was held at Rutledge Chapel on Wednesday, where newly elected student senators and executive officers took their oaths of office. The new student leaders addressed the goals for their terms during their inauguration speeches.
USC hosts a variety of student-run organizations that each serve their own purpose. Some of these groups center around religion, which some members have said has helped them find a sense of belonging on campus.
The board of trustees began approving some of the projects proposed in USC's updated master plan, which was presented to the board in January 2024. Some of these plans include renovations to Thomas Cooper Library, the replacement of McBryde, and a dining and housing fee increase.
Former South Carolina Gov. David Beasley is joining the Joseph S. Rice School of Law's faculty. As the previous director of the United Nations' World Food Programme, Beasley will provide his global perspective to students of the law school.
USC's student senate session on Wednesday witnessed the passage of 13 significant legislative measures, accompanied by the failure to approve two proposed initiatives. A few of the bills passed recognized the Student Government executive leaders for their contributions while others look at improving the University 101 curriculum, establishing a "Cancer Prevention Week" and collaborating with Greek Life organizations.
Starting in fall 2024, a new feature could be added to the back of all CarolinaCards. A collaboration between a student senator and various campus offices aims to include the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention hotline on all future cards to provide an accessible resource to members of the USC community.
The student senate passed four new pieces of legislation and referred 11 more to various committees at its weekly meeting on Wednesday. One legislation will look to improve student knowledge of the availability of the HPV vaccination and Pap test on campus.
In the fall of 2024, Maxcy Residence Hall will become a Living & Learning Community for incoming and returning first-generation college students.
Students a part of a USC Honors College class are conducting archeological excavations on the Horseshoe. The class hopes to find objects that could help tell the stories of enslaved people who once resided on campus.
Charleston-based food delivery service Community Supported Grocery expanded to Columbia to bring locally grown food to the city. The company hopes to connect with more customers this year, including USC faculty and staff.
The student senate passed three new pieces of legislation and referred three others to various committees at its weekly meeting on Wednesday. One piece of legislation is a recommendation that University of South Carolina Athletics and the football program organize a "white out" themed game for the upcoming football season.
The official results of the 2024 Student Government elections were announced by the elections commissioner on Feb. 21. Patton Byars will become the next student body president, Coutney Tkacs the next student body vice president, Maura Hamilton the next speaker of the student senate and Jacob Vaught the next student body treasurer.
