CCU's Strategic Plan guides path to excellence
The University’s Strategic Plan – Tradition, Integrity, Excellence: Building a Comprehensive University – continues to provide direction as we grow and flourish. As you may recall, the four key strategies of the plan are:(1) Meeting the educational needs of the students and our community,
(2) Ensuring student success,
(3) Ensuring faculty and staff success, and
(4) Ensuring financial viability and managed growth.
While student learning is at the heart of the University’s mission, goals and values, the key strategies above have been aligned with our assessment system, which will drive continual improvement in everything we do. I applaud the efforts of so many who have contributed – directly through one of many committees or indirectly through the dedication and enthusiasm reflected in the work you do each day – to building and implementing these important processes. As the fall semester approaches, it is my hope that each one of us will renew our commitment to these guiding principles as we continue on our shared path to excellence.
Final preparations are being made for what is expected to be a record enrollment of more than 8,600 students – including a record-setting freshman class of approximately 2,000 students. Please join me in welcoming each student with enthusiasm and commitment to their success.
I share with you the following update on our progress and accomplishments:
Academic Programs
To reflect the growing academic quality and breadth of the University, there are now 52 baccalaureate areas of study. Six new undergraduate programs were added in 2009-2010, including Biochemistry, the BA in Economics, Graphic Design, Information Systems, the BFA in Theatre Arts, and the BFA in Musical Theatre. Additional specializations have been added to the existing programs of Biology, Finance and Sociology.
The University also offers seven master’s degree programs in Education, Writing, Business Administration (MBA) and Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies. Three of these programs are new in 2010: the M.Ed in Educational Leadership, M.Ed. in Learning and Teaching, and the MA in Writing.
Faculty, Staff and Student employment
The University has 312 full-time teaching faculty, 83 percent of whom have doctoral or terminal degrees, as well as more than 600 full-time staff members.
Compensation adjustments as a result of the staff salary compression began in July.
The student employment program was initiated two years ago in an effort to assist students with the rising costs of higher education and help them maintain their enrollment at the University. More than 900 students were employed through the program in 2009-2010. This year, $2.85 million has been allocated for this program.
Veteran Services
Veteran students numbered 408 on campus last year, versus 219 in 2008-2009. The University is achieving increasing acclaim for its outreach to veteran students and the veteran community with the recent designation as a “Military-Friendly School for 2011” by G.I. Jobs Magazine. Related activity to better serve veterans includes:
• A Student Veterans Association has formed and attained full representation in the Student Government Association Senate.
• The Coastal Carolina University Veterans Association was formed in Spring 2010 and comprises 55 current or retired faculty and staff as well as alumni who have served honorably in any branch of the military, active/reserve, or National Guard. Charter members include five members of the University’s Board of Trustees.
• The U.S. Army ROTC program is expected to have 46 students in Fall 2010, nearly tripling its participation level in just two years. The program’s first officer was formally commissioned during the May 2010 commencement.
Student and Campus Life
In spite of the weary economy, the University is flourishing with more than $115 million in major construction under way, marking the University’s most ambitious building program in its 56-year history. The building campaign includes a student recreation and convocation center, expected to open in November 2011, and three major academic buildings: an information commons, Swain Science Center, and a classroom building. When complete, these four new buildings will add more than 231,000 square feet to the main campus. Also, construction is under way on the campus chapel at the intersection of University Boulevard and University Drive.
In addition to new buildings, the University continually strives to make the campus safe for students, faculty and staff. Improvements to the grounds are ongoing; additional sidewalks have been added and existing walkways have been improved. On the East campus, new recreation fields are under construction and will be ready for intramural use in Fall 2010. The roundabout on University Boulevard is complete and is expected to slow traffic and improve flow between the University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
In 2008, Horry County citizens voted for a penny sales tax to help support the Horry County Schools, Horry-Georgetown Technical College and Coastal Carolina University. The tax is expected to provide approximately $120 million over the next 15 years for facility improvements for the University. More than $8 million has been allocated for the University since the tax became effective in March 2009.
In January 2010, the Coastal Carolina University Student Housing Foundation purchased Campus Edge, now called University Place II. The University maintains residence halls to accommodate at least 3,301 students in three general locations: main campus (1,222 beds) and University Place I and II (987 and 1,092 beds, respectively). To positively influence retention and ultimately graduation rates, the University requires all freshmen and sophomores to live in campus housing (with exceptions for those whose permanent residence is within 50 miles from campus and other special situations). The housing requirement for freshmen was expanded to include sophomores, beginning this fall.
On April 19, the University joined the American College and University President's Climate Commitment, in partnership with more than 680 U.S. colleges and universities that have agreed to pursue environmentally friendly practices. The University has been awarded the "Recycling Event of the Year Award" from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control in recognition of the Campus Salvage Program. Students donate reusable items at the end of the year, which are resold to support the University’s sustainability program.
The University’s nationally competitive NCAA Division I athletic program will expand to 18 teams in Fall 2012 when women’s lacrosse is added. At the close of the Spring 2010 season, the Chanticleers have made 77 NCAA championship appearances and won 85 conference championships since 1989. The baseball team was ranked as high as fourth in the nation in the past season making it possible for the University to host the NCAA Regional and Super Regional tournaments.
