USC's student senate recommended upgrades to Russell House Underground, implementing safeguards in areas around Russell House, and adding free printing to the Honors Residence Hall. Senate also recommended providing students with a rentable umbrella system, similar to the rentable to-go container system used at campus dining halls.
USC's student senate passed legislation to request that USCPD and the Columbia Police Department routinely monitor Blossom and Assembly Street, encourage senate representation on the USC Master Mobility Plan and recommend inclusion of routine doctor's appointments and the loss of a pet as excused absences. Senate also passed a recommendation employing the assistance of Dr. Michael Goodman to help revise and edit Student Government codes.
USC President Michael Amiridis discussed enrollment numbers, research funding and infrastructure in his annual State of the University address.
The South Carolina Student Legislature (SCSL) chapter at the University of South Carolina gives students the chance to participate in mock legislation and debate bills they create.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said a project to create a new accreditor for universities will fight "woke accreditation cartels." USC is aiding in its creation. However, some faculty have expressed concerns regarding the accreditor system.
The Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse hosted politically opposed philosophers and friends Robert P. George and Cornel West to discuss how they maintain a friendship despite political differences. George and West discussed the importance of seeking and sharing truth while challenging one’s assumptions.
The 117th student senate passed recommendations to create and expand an esports program on campus, urge the city of Columbia to implement a sidewalk along 411 Huger St. and expand Jewish food options on campus. Senate also passed legislation related to Student Government operations and codes.
In collaboration with other marine science research institutions, USC's Baruch Marine Institute joined the Lowcountry Shrimp Collaborative to research the effects of rising water temperatures on two species of commercially valuable shrimp. The Lowcountry Shrimp Collaborative, a collection of Southeastern marine science research organizations, analyzed historical data and current field samples to determine how estuarine shrimps' migratory patterns are impacted by increasing water temperatures.
USC turned Campus Village 1 lounge rooms into student dormitories for the 2025-26 school year due to record enrollment. Some students said they face issues with class sizes and registration as well.
The 117th student senate removed Senator Jacob Whisenant from office after the Court of Impeachment recommended he be convicted. Student senate also passed legislation recommending the student representative on the board of trustees have a vote, USC develop a Carolina Self Service app and that plastic utensils in dining halls are replaced with paper ones.
The Court of Impeachment has recommended the conviction of a senator and has dismissed all articles of impeachment for Student Government executive members and 34 other senators.
The 2025 hurricane season is predicted to be "above-normal" but less active than the devastating 2024 hurricane season. Students can stay informed through reliable sources of weather updates to prepare themselves if a hurricane comes to South Carolina.
Three USC students have founded a new research journal to promote undergraduate research in a variety of fields. Named after the oldest free-standing academic library in the country, the Caroliniana Undergraduate Research Journal hopes to provide students with a space to publish their research.
The speaker pro tempore and a senator have resigned from USC's student senate. Three pieces of legislation were also passed during student senate on Aug. 27.
The USC College of Nursing and Susan Newman have begun a nursing initiative to include and diversify the nursing industry in the state of South Carolina, giving students with disabilities confidence and guidance. The first class of students will come next summer, as local partners such as Able SC, the Lexington Medical Center and Prisma Health are collaborators and recruiting students in the process.
On Aug. 24, there were two calls made to USCPD about an active shooter at Thomas Cooper Library, which were later proven to be false. Some students shared their experiences of the event, describing large crowds running across campus.
USC hired Ambra Hiott as the new Associate Vice President for Student Life after three candidates were considered for the position. Hiott aims to bolster the student experience through expansions to Russell House and campus spaces, fewer hurdles for student organizations and improvements to staffing.
