Clemson Advocates Legislative Update--March 31, 2014
Story Date: 3/31/2014

March 31, 2014 THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA The House Ways and Means Charleston University Ad Hoc Committee met this week and heard testimony from Julie Carullo of the Commission on Higher Education and Secretary Bobby Hitt of the South Carolina Department of Commerce. GI Bill In-StateTuition (S.93) and Military In-State Tuition (H.3086) remain on the Senate calendar for second reading. BUDGET The Senate Finance Committee continues to hold agency budget subcommittee hearings and will continue this process through early April.   The Senate Finance Committee budget hearing for Clemson E&G was held on Wednesday, March 26.  President Jim Clements and Undergraduate Student Body President Kayley Seawright delivered Clemson's presentation.  Their prepared remarks may be found here. Other colleges and universities giving their budget presentations last week included the College of Charleston, MUSC, Winthrop, Lander and Francis Marion. From a state budgeting standpoint, Clemson is considered two separate state agencies: a research university that receives an educational and general (E&G) state appropriation for teaching and student support, and a land-grant Public Services Activities (PSA) division that receives a state appropriation to support agriculture, forestry and natural resource Extension, research and regulatory programs. Detailed information on Clemson’s 2014 state legislative and budget priorities for FY 2014-15 may be found at these links: Clemson Education and General (E&G) Priorities Clemson Public Service Activities (PSA) Priorities THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISE ACT The Clemson University Enterprise Act (S.535) was introduced in the South Carolina Senate one year ago and passed the Senate on May 9, 2013.  The bill was sent to the House of Representatives and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  The committee has not yet taken action on the bill.  The Clemson University Governmental Affairs staff continues to work with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brian White to get the bill heard in committee. BILLS OF INTEREST The Clemson University Governmental Affairs office is monitoring several bills that have potential impact on Clemson.  A complete listing of these bills may be found here.  Click on the bill number for a description of the legislation, along with the bill's current status. FYI Clemson Student Government leaders have launched a social media campaign called "Clemson Needs" to help educate state legislators on issues that directly impact students.   The first issue that these students have requested to be engaged with is student housing, more specifically, state approval of two major campus construction projects, Core Campus and Douthit Hills.  These student leaders feel a sense of responsibility to join the conversation to help key decision makers understand why these new projects are vital to Clemson’s future.  Students have been interacting with the campaign's dedicated twitter feed (@ClemsonNeeds) and sharing their opinions across social media using the hash tag #ClemsonNeeds.   "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. The Clemson Advocates website and the Clemson University Governmental Affairs website are also constantly updated with news and information.