FEBRUARY 2008
Campus Link

President Sorensen's statement on Northern Illinois University tragedy – February 15, 2008

University of South Carolina President Andrew Sorensen made a statement today to the University community in response to the tragedy at Northern Illinois University. Remember that if you have questions or concerns, please call the Parents Assistance Line at 1-800-868-6752. For more information, please visit www.sc.edu.


February 15, 2008

President Sorensen's statement on Northern Illinois University tragedy

On behalf of the University of South Carolina family, I have sent my condolences and offered assistance to the president of Northern Illinois University, Dr. John Peters. Our hearts go out to his university community, particularly to the students, families and friends who are directly affected by this tragic event.

At difficult times like these, we may be reminded of our own losses. Even as we reeled from the deaths of six of our students last fall, we showed our strength by caring not only for ourselves, but for each other. If you need support, please reach out; if someone you know is struggling, please encourage them to do the same. Our counseling staff is available to you by calling 803-777-5223.

Please know that safety is — and always has been — of the utmost importance at our university, and I am confident that our campus is prepared to respond in the event of an emergency. Our crisis management team has designed plans and procedures, and we will continue to practice and evaluate them to ensure we do everything possible to maintain the safety of our campus. Last year, we launched Carolina ALERT, an emergency text-messaging system. If you have not done so, I urge you to sign up at http://vip.sc.edu. I also ask that you review the safety tips and emergency preparedness information at www.sc.edu/emergency.

Keep our friends at NIU in your thoughts and strengthen your resolve to work together to keep the University of South Carolina a safe and secure environment and a premier place of learning.

Yours truly,

Andrew A. Sorensen

University of South Carolina Parent Updates – February 5, 2008

Carolina parents,

The spring semester is in full swing at the University of South Carolina! This is a busy time of year for most college students. Encourage your student to plan ahead for application deadlines, studying for mid-terms and making time to attend events. Below are several updates for you to share with your student.

*Human-rights advocate and community activist Martin Luther King III, son of civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., will speak at the University of South Carolina Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Koger Center for the Arts.  For more information, please visit http://uscnews.sc.edu/2008/01282008-STUD033.html.  For more information on events recognizing Black History Month, please visit www.sc.edu/usctimes/articles/2008-01/Black_History_Month.html.

*The time is here for juniors and seniors to purchase the Official USC Ring during Spring 2008 Ring Week! Balfour representatives will be available in the Russell House first floor lobby (outside the Grand

Marketplace) during the weeks of Feb. 4-8 and Feb. 18-22. Students who have earned at least 60 credit hours are eligible to purchase the Official USC Ring. The ring symbolizes achievement and links Carolina graduates forever to their alma mater.  All students ordering rings by the end of Ring Week will be invited to participate in the Official USC Ring Ceremony on April 15. President Sorensen presents each student with their ring at this elegant ceremony held on the historic Horseshoe. For more information, please visit www.CarolinaAlumni.org/officialring. 

*January 30 marked the one-hundredth year that The Daily Gamecock, USC's student newspaper, has been published. In recognition of this achievement, The Daily Gamecock is currently looking for former reporters, writers, editors, photographers, designers or anyone that worked with the newspaper over the last century to attend an alumni event Feb. 22-24. Alumni interested in learning more about the event can visit www.dailygamecock.com/alumni. To sign up to receive The Daily Gamecock in your inbox, visit www.dailygamecock.com/user/register.

*Student body elections will be held Feb. 18-19. Encourage your student to learn about the candidates for student body president, vice president and treasurer as well as the candidates for senator representing the colleges, and vote. For more information, visit www.sg.sc.edu/Elections/index.htm.

*Nominations are now being accepted for the University of South Carolina's Outstanding Senior and Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards. Students who have already been selected for Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges will also be considered for the Outstanding Senior Awards. To be considered for selection, the student must meet the following criteria:

-The student must graduate between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008.
-The student must complete at least 75 academic credit hours.
-The student must exemplify scholarship, involvement, citizenship and leadership in academic and co-curricular activities.
-The student must have the potential for future achievement.

Nomination and application forms can be found online on the Student Government Web site at www.sg.sc.edu/apps.htm. The deadline for submitting nominations for students to qualify for Senior Awards is Tuesday, Feb. 19. The deadline for submitting applications is 4 p.m. on Friday, March 7.

*Applications are now being accepted for the 2008 Outstanding Woman of the Year Award. Sponsored by Women's Student Services and the Department of Student Life, eligible candidates must be undergraduate women with 60 credit hours or more and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additional areas of consideration include academic achievements, campus/community involvement and work experience. The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m.  For more information, visit www.sa.sc.edu/wss/outswmausc.htm. The recipient and finalists will be recognized for their achievements at the Outstanding Women at USC Celebration in the Russell House Ballroom on March 20 at 4:30 p.m.

 *Financial Times of London has ranked the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina 55th in the world for its master's programs in the 2008 ranking announced Jan. 28 - up from 72nd in the 2007 ranking. For more information, visit http://uscnews.sc.edu/2008/01282008-BADM032.html.

 *Looking for the perfect graduation present for your Class of 2008 student? The Carolina Alumni Association is offering a trip to Europe May 23-June 10. Students will experience the culture, history and charm of Europe with fellow seniors and recent USC grads in a safe and hassle-free environment. Visit 7 countries in 19 days. Destinations include London, Paris, Brussels, Munich, Salzburg, an Alpine retreat, a 12th-century Austrian castle, Venice, Florence and Rome. A professional tour director will be with the group at all times. Students will stay in quality hotels in safe locations while visiting the major cultural cities of Europe led by licensed city guides and tours. For more information, visit www.mycarolina.org/seniors.

 Finally, the February e-newsletter is attached. It features articles on helping your busy student, celebrating the month of February, discussing spirituality on campus, encouraging alternative spring break options and connecting with your student during Valentine's Day.

Please continue to visit our Web site for information and resources at www.sa.sc.edu/parents. As always, we are only a phone call or e-mail away, and we encourage your feedback!

 Office of Parents Programs
University of South Carolina
1.800.868.6752
parents@gwm.sc.edu
www.sa.sc.edu/parents