JANUARY 2008
Campus Link

University of South Carolina Parent Updates – January 11, 2008 

Carolina parents, 

Happy new year! We hope that you were able to spend some quality time with your student over the holidays. The University of South Carolina is back in full swing, as spring semester classes begin on Monday!

*The University of South Carolina will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a number of events beginning Friday, Jan. 18. Students are encouraged to participate in the MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 21. For more information on these and other events, visit http://hr.sc.edu/king2008.html. 

*Is your student interested in studying abroad? The Study Abroad Office is sponsoring Study Abroad Night on Thursday, Jan. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Russell House Ballroom. Encourage your student to attend this informative and fun event to learn about the opportunities associated with studying in another country. Students should RSVP by Jan. 14 to saabroad@mailbox.sc.edu.

*The 22nd annual Student Leadership and Diversity Conference will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2 in the Russell House. The conference, titled "Making Your Mark," will feature former Gamecock and NBA star Terry Dozier as the breakfast keynote speaker. Students must register by Friday, Jan. 25. For more information, visit http://www.sa.sc.edu/leaders/sldc.htm.

*University Housing is sponsoring several open houses for upper class living and learning communities. These unique housing options include the Carolina Global Community, Green Learning Community, French House, Spanish House, Preston Residential College and Upper Class Pre-Med Community. For more information, visit http://www.housing.sc.edu. 

*On-campus housing sign-up for continuing students will end on Friday, March 7 at 5 p.m. Students should log onto http://vip.sc.edu to submit their applications for housing. For more information, visit

http://www.housing.sc.edu/signuprocess.asp.

*The University of South Carolina jumped 16 spots to rank in the top 7 percent of the nation's public universities that provide "a first-rate education without breaking the bank," according to Kiplinger's "Best Values in Public Colleges." The national ranking, which appears in the magazine's February issue, puts the University of South Carolina No. 35 among 500 public universities for best values for in-state students, up from No. 51 in 2007. The ranking also puts the university in the top 11 percent of best values for out-of-state students -- at No. 59 from No. 72 in 2007. For more information, visit http://uscnews.sc.edu/2008-ADMN002.html.

Finally, the January e-newsletter is attached. It includes articles on goal-setting for the new year, tax incentives for education-related expenses, tips for parenting a commuter student, 21st birthday celebrations and housing considerations.

Please continue to visit our Web site for information and resources at http://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