USC System Mission Statement

Approved by the Board of Trustees - October 13, 2023

Approved by SC Commission on Higher Education – December 18, 2023

Next Board of Trustees Scheduled Review - October 2027

The primary mission of the University of South Carolina System is to provide outstanding education, research, creative activity, community engagement, and service that drives community and economic impact for benefit of the state, nation, and world. This public university system serves students from its flagship Columbia campus, three comprehensive universities (Aiken, Beaufort, and Upstate), and four regional Palmetto College campuses (Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter, and Union).

The University of South Carolina System offers degree programs at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. Through classroom and laboratory instruction delivered in a variety of face-to-face and distance learning formats and modalities, degree programs are offered in the following areas:  arts and sciences; business; education; engineering and computing; hospitality, retail, and sport management; information and communications; law; medicine; music; nursing; pharmacy; public health; and social work.

The University of South Carolina System confers nearly 40% of all bachelor’s and graduate degrees awarded at public institutions in South Carolina, giving the system a profound relevance, reach, and impact on the people of the state. Through engagement in nationally and internationally recognized research, scholarship, service, and artistic creation, the University of South Carolina System imbues its students with the hallmarks of the highest-quality education, including the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success and responsible citizenship in a complex and changing world.

USC Union Mission Statement

Approved by the Board of Trustees - October 13, 2023

Approved by SC Commission on Higher Education – December 18, 2023

Next Board of Trustees Scheduled Review - October 2027

The Union regional Palmetto College campus is a branch campus of the University of South Carolina Columbia. Union has as its mission to provide higher education and intellectual leadership, contributing to the primary mission of the University of South Carolina System so stated as “outstanding education, research, creative activity, community engagement, and service that drives community and economic impact or the benefit of the state, nation, and world.” At the heart of this mission is a teaching faculty of high quality dedicated to excellence in instruction, scholarship, public and professional service, and creative endeavor which enrich the classroom experience. The Union regional Palmetto College campus offers a varied curriculum grounded in the liberal arts and focused on preparing students to continue their education in the University of South Carolina System and throughout life.

The Union regional Palmetto College campus recruits students prepared to succeed in completing a baccalaureate‐ level education. While the institution does not offer remedial instruction, it is nonetheless able to admit most students who apply due to the close working relationship between students and faculty. The original design of the institution incorporated a flexibility that has allowed changes in institutional capability with increasing educational demands of constituents.

Through classroom and laboratory instruction delivered in a variety of face-to-face and distance learning formats and modalities, the institution awards the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees and provides for the completion of selected bachelor’s degrees on campus through cooperative agreements and delivery structures with other University of South Carolina System institutions. The Union regional Palmetto College campus also provides general education and upper division coursework applicable to baccalaureate degree programs offered through colleges and universities nationwide. In addition to academic coursework, the mission of the campus includes noncredit courses, seminars, and workshops made available to the community for cultural enrichment and professional development.

The traditions of cultural diversity and freedom of thought are valued at the Union regional Palmetto College campus. In a learning environment that develops respect for racial, geographical, intellectual, and economic diversity and an awareness of individual, societal, and global responsibilities, Union promotes courses, activities, and attitudes that instill in students a thirst to continue learning throughout life.

The Union regional Palmetto College campus emphasizes the development of the whole person and especially seeks to foster in students the disciplines essential to an educated citizenry. Core competencies, including the ability to communicate through effective writing and articulate speech; computational and quantitative mastery; creative and critical thinking; and the duties of citizenship are strategically integrated within the curriculum. Classroom experiences, student activities, and physical education programs also provide opportunities for cultural enrichment, leadership development, intellectual growth and interpersonal relationships, all contributing to a sense of self‐reliance and a joy of learning.

Accreditation

The University of South Carolina Columbia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.  The regional Palmetto College campuses (Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter, and Union) are branch campuses of the University of South Carolina Columbia; the branch campuses’ accreditation is dependent on the continued accreditation of the University of South Carolina Columbia. Questions about the accreditation of the University of South Carolina Columbia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). 

USC System Leadership and Administration

Michael Amiridis, President
Donna Arnett, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Ed Walton, Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Stacy Fritz, Chief of Staff
Larry Thomas, Vice President for Communications
Michelle Dodenhoff, Vice President for Development
Julian R. Williams, Vice President for Access, Civil Rights and Community Engagement 
Caroline Agardy, Vice President for Human Resources
Beth Brigdon, Interim Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Julius Fridriksson, Vice President for Research
J. Rex Tolliver, Vice President for Student Affairs and Academic Support
Scott Verzyl, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Dean of Undergraduate Admissions
Bill Kirkland, Executive Director of the Office of Innovation, Partnership, and Economic Engagement
Walter “Terry” Parham, General Counsel and Executive Director of Compliance Programs
Ray Tanner, Director of Athletics

Union/Laurens Commission for Higher Education

Find updated listing here. 

USC Union Leadership and Administration

Find updated listing here. 

USC Union Faculty and Staff

Find updated listing here. 

Student Objectives

The University is dedicated to providing all undergraduate students with a common core of knowledge, skill, and academic experience. This general education curriculum provides the foundation for subsequent specialized study in the student’s major discipline area. The University of South Carolina is in the process of updating this curriculum, ensuring that it remains current and prepares students for productive and meaningful engagement as world citizens equipped for life-long learning. The shared common academic foundation of all University of South Carolina students, the Carolina Core, has 10 core components, each with learning outcomes and credit hour requirements. A description of these components can be found here. 

History

Like the other USC regional campuses, the Union campus was established as a result of local initiative. The Union County Commission for Higher Education was created by an act of the state legislature in the spring of 1965, and a contract was immediately signed by that commission with the University of South Carolina, an arrangement which guaranteed University-quality education at a low cost for area students within commuting distance of the campus. A former public secondary-school building was secured by the commission, and local funds were made available to renovate the structure. Scheduled classes began in September 1965 for the original freshman class of 51 students. In September 1967, 160 students registered at the campus, and enrollment has continued to climb.

Centrally located near the downtown business district, USC Union occupies a seven-acre tract fronting the east side of Main Street. The campus has grown to its present enrollment of approximately 1300 and a physical plant consisting of nine buildings, which house administrative offices, classrooms, laboratories, a library, a campus shop, and a gymnasium. The Union campus has traditionally focused on offering the first two years of courses for most University curricula, and the campus continues that tradition today. Because of its expanding role as a unit of USC, upper-level courses are increasingly available, including both junior- and senior-level courses.

Union-area residents realize the beneficial aspects of a local regional campus and have been enthusiastic supporters of both the campus and its programs. Both the city and county governments have generously increased their support of the campus and have provided much-needed funds for both physical-plant and equipment needs. Several local organizations provide scholarships for USC Union students, and the campus has been the recipient of numerous gifts of goods and services. The campus and the surrounding area have continually maintained this mutually supporting relationship, the result of which has been a high-quality, comprehensive program of higher education for area citizens.

Facilities

The physical plant consists of nine buildings.

Main Building. The Main Building was a secondary public school originally constructed in 1909, renovated in 1965, and completely restored in 1991. It currently houses classrooms; an auditorium; administrative and faculty offices; biology, chemistry, and computer science laboratories; a student lounge; disability services; and the Student Academic Success Center.

Whitener Building. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Central Building was built in 1891 as the first modern public-school building in Union County. After several additions and incarnations as a high school, middle school, and elementary school, it was secured for USC Union by the Union County Commission for Higher Education in 1975. The Central Building houses administrative and faculty offices, the Athletics Department, classrooms, telecommunications instruction classrooms, and a community room for meetings and receptions.

USC Union library services, previously located in the Whitener Building are now provided by the Union County Carnegie Library. The library also houses one iCarolina Lab operated by USC Union.

• Carnegie Library. USC Union library services, previously located in the Whitener Building, are now provided by the Union County Carnegie Library. The library also houses one iCarolina Lab operated by USC Union.
• iCarolina Lab at Carnegie Library. The iCarolina Lab at the Union County Carnegie Library, located at 300 East South Street, houses state-of-the-art Apple computers and tablets including 20 iMac desktops, 20 MacBook Pro laptops, and 20 iPads paired with an Apple Pencil. These iCarolina Labs are made possible by Governor Henry McMaster’s Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds, to provide reliable computer and internet access to people in rural areas. 

Bookstore. The University of South Carolina Union Bookstore is located at 311 East Main Street. The bookstore sells a variety of Carolina-themed products which include clothing for adults and children, tailgating products, jewelry, miscellaneous items, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Students can purchase or rent their textbooks or obtain their Carolina cards. Textbook buy back is held at the end of each semester. USC Bantam clothing, memorabilia, and USC-Union clothing are also available for purchase. Store hours are Mondays-Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Student Center. The Student Center, which is located at the rear of the Bookstore, is a fun area for students to gather before or after class. Students can enjoy television, pool tables, air hockey, video games, ping pong, and vending machines.
• The Bobby and Barbara Rippy Courtyard. Located behind the Student Center, the courtyard is a pleasant outdoor area for reading and relaxation. Power stations are located near the seating areas where students can charge their phones or tablets.

Truluck Activity Center. Completed in 1969, the activity center provides space for athletic and social activities. The center contains a basketball court, office space, and physical-fitness equipment. The center serves as the home court for our NJCAA Women's Volleyball Team and has a seating capacity of 500.

Founders House. The former Child Development Center, renamed Founders House to honor local leaders who have had a special relationship with USC Union, has recently undergone a complete renovation. The Founders House is the site for our safety and security department.

Nursing Simulation Laboratory Building. The New Nursing Simulation Laboratory Building is designed to provide students with hands-on clinical experiences. The clinical opportunities in simulated specialty units are built to mimic various healthcare settings such as emergency rooms, hospital rooms, labor and delivery rooms, to fully immerse students in the clinical experience. The building also houses faculty and staff offices, two telecommunications instruction classrooms and one wet lab.

Science and Nursing Building. The Science and Nursing Building on Main Street, across the street from the Bookstore, houses a state-of-the-art virtual reality science lab/classroom, as well as faculty offices, and meeting space.

Student Services Building. The  Student Services Building located on Main Street next to the bookstore houses the admissions, financial aid, disability services and student life offices.

Laurens Location. The University of South Carolina Union Laurens Location is located at 600 Peachtree Street, Clinton, SC 29325 (starting August 2023). USC has been serving the Laurens County community since the 1980’s. Currently, students are able to take advantage of small class sizes in traditional classrooms, telecommunications instruction classrooms as well as online. The Laurens location operates two iCarolina Labs located in Laurens County.

• iCarolina Lab at Laurens County Library System. The iCarolina Lab at the Laurens County Library System, located at 1017 West Main St, Laurens, SC, houses state-of-the-art Apple computers and tablets including 10 iMac desktops, 10 MacBook Pro laptops, and 10 iPads paired with an Apple Pencil. These iCarolina Labs are made possible by Governor Henry McMaster’s Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds, to provide reliable computer and internet access to people in rural areas.
• iCarolina Lab at Laurens County Library System - Clinton Branch. The iCarolina Lab at the Laurens County Library System - Clinton, located at 107 Jacobs Highway Suite A, Clinton, SC, houses state-of-the-art Apple computers and tablets including 10 MacBook Pro laptops and 10 iPads paired with an Apple Pencil. These iCarolina Labs are made possible by Governor Henry McMaster’s Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds, to provide reliable computer and internet access to people in rural areas.

Special Events
Extracurricular Activities

From its beginning, USC Union has recognized the importance of developing all facets of the individual. In keeping with this goal, the campus has offered a wide array of extracurricular activities, including the Student Government Association, the African American Alliance, numerous other clubs, a competitive athletics (NJCAA and club) program, service organizations, and frequent social functions.