SCHotline Press Releases

Charleston, SC – The presidents of 16 South Carolina higher education
institutions have united to form South Carolina Campus Compact, part of
a national coalition of more than 1,000 colleges and  universities that
are committed to educating the next generation of  responsible citizens.

The presidents have pledged to create and sustain civic engagement,
Service-Learning, and community service initiatives that provide South
Carolina college students with the
skills needed to be active citizens in their local communities, the
state, the nation and the world.

By sharing information and collaborating statewide, South Carolina
Campus Compact will work to increase cooperation between campus and
community, integrate service into college and university curricula, and
facilitate volunteerism in the state.

“This is an outstanding milestone on the path to reinforcing an engaged
society in South Carolina,” said Maria Monteiro, program and affiliate
director at Campus Compact’s national office. “South Carolina has joined
a vibrant national network that now includes 32 state affiliates. These
affiliates provide on-the-ground training and resources, help develop
local community ties, and work with students, faculty, and staff at
member campuses to gauge and meet needs.”

South Carolina Campus Compact will be hosted at the College of
Charleston. A search committee is being organized to find the first
executive director of the office.

“Our state has long been recognized as a national leader in Service
Learning programs that help students develop community service projects
linked to their school coursework and real-world challenges,” said
State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex.  “This compact can only
serve to build upon this strong foundation and accelerate our efforts to
cultivate good citizenship among all of our young people.”

Serving on South Carolina Campus Compact’s inaugural board of directors
are presidents P. George Benson, College of Charleston  (Chair); Anne S.
Crook, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College; David  A. DeCenzo, Coastal
Carolina University; Anthony J. DiGiorgio,  Winthrop University; and
Andrew Hugine, Jr, South Carolina State  University. The organization’s
other founding members are Benedict  College, Charleston Southern
University, Clafin University, Clemson  University, Francis Marion
University, Lander University, Newberry  College, the University of
South Carolina Aiken, the University of  South Carolina Beaufort, the
University of South Carolina  Salkehatchie, and the University of South
Carolina Upstate.

Service Learning programs in the state are coordinated by the South
Carolina Department of Education’s Commission on National and
Community Service. Each year, more than 150,000 South Carolina students
and adults volunteer more than a million hours of community assistance
through Service Learning programs.

Campus Compact is an independent, nonprofit association under the
umbrella of Brown University.  It is a national coalition of more than
1,000 college and university presidents – representing some 6 million
students – who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher
education. As the only national association dedicated to this mission,
Campus Compact is a leader in building civic engagement into
campus and academic life.

For more information, visit: http://www.compact.org/