The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has allocated more than $1.699 million in state lottery money to Coastal Carolina University as part of a technology upgrade package for state universities. Of the 10 state institutions that submitted proposals for funding projects, Coastal received the largest appropriation.

Two separate proposals submitted by Coastal were approved. The commission allocated $797,100 for a project called "Enhancing Interactivity in Teaching and Learning Beyond the Classroom Walls," which will create new Technology Learning Classrooms in Coastal's four academic colleges and Kimbel Library as well as a Faculty Technology Center. The project will increase access to new technology for students and faculty and integrate technology-enhanced instruction into various disciplines. The project directors are John Goodwin, associate professor of chemistry, and Sharon Thompson, associate professor of health.

Another project, "Reaching Students Through Distance Learning," (funded at $730,400) will establish classrooms with computer broadcasting and receiving capabilities on Coastal's Conway campus and in its three off-campus centers in Myrtle Beach, Georgetown and Litchfield. The project will provide training for faculty and students in the use of distance learning technology, as well as provide for the installation of a new distance education techology system in Coastal's Kimbel Library. The project directors are Jill Sessoms, professor of English and chair of Coastal's Department of English and Journalism, and Susan Webb, associate professor of sociology.

A total of $10 million in state lottery funds were set aside by the General Assembly for technology grant programs at state institutions. Because all the monies available for these programs were not used, each institution will also receive a portion of the remaining funds. Coastal's apportionment is $172,055, to be used for technology-related programs.