USC Seeks Another $13.3 Million for Innovista

Plans by the University of South Carolina to move forward on a $26.8 million “upfit” for a building in USC’s star-crossed Innovista research campus have been delayed.

Senator Proposes Putting Himself on SCRA Board

One of the state’s most powerful lawmakers has authored a bill that would put himself on the board of trustees and executive committee of a little-understood, state-controlled technology and real estate company.

Economic Development in Higher Ed Funding Proposals

At face value it sounds like it might be a good idea to a lot of people, and an eminently fair proposal at that: Allocate public funding to state colleges and universities based on how well they do their jobs.

Francis Marion University Branches Out to … Ecuador?

Francis Marion University opens research station - in the Andes.

House Version of FY13 Budget Calls for $1 Billion-Plus Increase

The Nerve’s review of a budget document produced by the Office of State Budget, known as the “summary control document,” shows that compared to the ratified state budget for this fiscal year, which started July 1, the recently passed House version of the fiscal year 2013 budget would increase total authorized spending by more than $1 billion.

Board of Regents Bills Languish

The bills were introduced in the House in January 2011, the beginning of the current two-year legislative session, and sent to the chamber’s Education and Public Works Committee.

Lobbying by State Agencies Continues Despite State Ban

Sixteen state agencies and institutions collectively have spent at least $320,000 since June lobbying the S.C. General Assembly, despite a state budget proviso banning those agencies from using general funds for that purpose, a review by The Nerve has found.

Research University Presidents Silent on Board of Regents for S.C.

No, the college CEO triumvirate passed on that one and instead left it to … state Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt to address it?

Senator Introduces Bill to Cap Tuition Hikes

The ceiling would be a combination of the percentage increases in the state’s population and the consumer price index in the previous calendar year, or population plus inflation.

South Carolina’s $1.5 Billion Piggy Bank

The Nerve’s review of a 656-page document produced by the Office of State Budget, formally known as the “detailed base budget” and dubbed “the brick,” found that 99 state agencies, divisions and separate funds started this fiscal year on July 1 with a collective $1.498 billion surplus in “other” funds.

Clemson Sustainability Program in Line for $445,000 in State Funds

The S.C. Commission on Higher Education got approval from the Joint Other Funds Oversight Committee on Jan. 19 to present a request to the Office of State Budget for $445,240 for Clemson’s “Endowed Chair in Sustainable Development,” part of the SmartState program.

S.C. State Gets an ‘Incomplete’ on Budget Request

South Carolina State, already under scrutiny for alleged financial mismanagement related to millions of dollars earmarked for the James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center, appears to have dropped the ball by incorrectly filling out a request for $36 million to renovate a pair of structures.

As Tuition at S.C. Universities Increases, So Does Administrator Pay

While tuition at three S.C. public universities has nearly doubled in the past decade, university administrators have been receiving steady compensation packages worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Report: S.C. Needs Higher Education Overhaul

State Agencies Cry Poverty While Amassing Large Surpluses

South Carolina’s 33 public colleges and universities collectively amassed nearly $900 million in “unrestricted” assets – generally surplus money that can be spent on anything – as of June 30, according to year-end financial statements reviewed by The Nerve.

Pastides Shows He’s No Renaissance Man

Audit: Clemson Pay Raises Violated State Law

Businesses Aiding Schools with Curriculum Development

Employers are working with secondary schools and colleges "to engage in curriculum planning," according to Congressman Trey Gowdy.

"By increasing the number of students seeking higher education, we can begin the process of decreasing our nearly 10 percent unemployment rate," Gowdy said during a congressional delegation field hearing focused on higher education and job growth Aug. 16 in Greenville.

Tuition Link Raises Questions about USC Building Projects

Congressional Hearing Addresses Higher Ed-Job Creation Link

How Tuition Helps Bankroll Construction

Summit Generates Much Reaction, Little Agreement

The $14 Million Taxpayer Gift to Hollings

Board Adopts National Standards Despite Concerns

Most School Districts Have Put Check Registers Online

Next Year’s Budget: Still Growing and Growing

A Look at S.C.’s Top 10 Agency Heads by Salary

S.C. Colleges Continue to Resist Transparency

Amid Recession, State Agencies Adding Staff

Moore School Match Figures Raise Questions

Commerce Eyes Control of Research Program

The initial version of the 50-page "Economic Development Competitiveness Act" bill, introduced in January by S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell, gave the Commerce secretary control over one-third, or $10 million, of the annual $30 million in lottery money earmarked for the S.C. Centers of Economic Excellence, also known as the endowed professor chairs program.

Look for More Growth at Clemson

Lottery Helps Legislature, Colleges Fleece Students

Despite Cuts, Colleges Continue Lobbying

Tuition Program Forced to Cut Grants to S.C. Students

Tuition Prepayment Program Running Deficit

State Prints Tanzanian Texts as Schools Struggle