“USC’s Success in Spite of Obstacles”

February 24, 2009: President Harris Pastides from the University of South Carolina spoke to our club this past week. He was also joined at the meeting by a handful of colleagues from USC. We were pleased to welcome these guests and honored to have President Pastides address us. Pastides is the 28th President of USC, having been sworn in on August 1, 2008. He was formerly a professor and a Dean, and has a host of accomplishments to his name, such as being Yale educated. He has also spear-headed many initiatives for the school’s improvement during his time there.

Pastides discussed the history of USC and its current direction, and then turned to an overview of the devastating budget cuts and its affect on the school. He gloats that USC has been in existence since the General assembly approved it in 1801, and has been serving the state ever since that time. He is not willing to close campuses/reduce citizens’ learning opportunities regardless of tough economic times.

Since mid-year 2008, the budget for USC has been cut 23.8% from the previous year, equaling about 52 million. The enormous budget cut was handed down with virtually no warning to the school’s administration. President Pastides said that budget planning by the school is usually done prospectively for the year in advance. The cuts have forced the USC administration to examine all aspects of spending. Pastides noted regretfully that USC has been hit much worse than any other state school, with the closest behind being Alabama, at approximately 10% in cuts. He has had frank discussions with other states’ school administrators who are worried over cuts of only a few percent in budget.

Despite the enormous cuts, the President is hopeful that some of the funds from stimulus package at the state level will trickle down to him. He is also optimistic about his school overall. It was a pleasure to listen to President Pastides’ optimism and we thank him for the opportunity!

Reported by Jackie Grau, Keyway Committee