Clemson Advocates Legislative Update--April 7, 2014
Story Date: 4/4/2014

April 7, 2014 THIS WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA The House Ways and Means Charleston University Ad Hoc Committee met this week and heard testimony from the College of Charleston and MUSC.  The Committee approved a proposal that would keep both schools separate, and designate a component of the College of Charleston as a research institution, which would receive a separate state appropriation.  Under the proposal, the College of Charleston would remain a liberal arts institution and the research university component would be used to offer graduate-level courses and expanded research efforts in the area.  The proposal was further amended to ensure the University of Charleston, South Carolina, would not duplicate degree programs already offered by other higher education institutions in the Charleston region. GI Bill In-StateTuition (S.93) and Military In-State Tuition (H.3086) remain on the Senate calendar for second reading. On Wednesday, Clemson University Trustees Patti McAbee, Nicky McCarter and Joe Swann were re-elected by the General Assembly to the Clemson University Board of Trustees. BUDGET The Senate Finance Committee continued to hold agency budget subcommittee hearings.  The full Senate Finance Committee will begin work on the budget this week.   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 S.535 (The Clemson University Enterprise Act) was introduced in the South Carolina Senate just over one year ago and passed the Senate on May 9.  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. CLEMSON ON CAPITOL HILL Clemson University participating in the second annual ACC Student Advocacy Trip to Washington, DC, which is taking place this week on Capitol Hill.  Approximately 50 students from 11 ACC institutions are slated to participate.  Activities include briefings by the Department of Education and Congressional education committee staff on higher education priorities and policy initiatives.  In addition, the students will participate in Capitol Hill visits with members of schools’ state Congressional delegations to discuss the importance of federal student loans and student aid and federal research funding.  Those attending from Clemson University include Kayley Seawright (Undergraduate Student Body President), Parker Rhoden (Undergraduate Student Body Vice President), Ashton Lee (Student Government Cabinet Director for Governmental Affairs), Drew Casella (Student Senate President), and Beth McInnis Bell and Mark Cothran of the Clemson University Office of Governmental Affairs. FYI "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.