Dear College of Charleston Students,

As you may already know, the College of Charleston is embarking on a comprehensive quality enhancement initiative, the object of which is to make this a nationally preeminent public liberal arts and sciences university. This plan, called the Fourth Century Initiative, is strongly endorsed by the Board of Trustees.

What struck me from the moment I first visited the College of Charleston was that, despite its size, it didn’t have the feel of a large university. I believe it is the College’s strong commitment to student-centered learning that helps to create the atmosphere of a small, first-rate liberal arts and sciences college. In order for the College to become a school of national standing, it must not only maintain the faculty-student interaction that gives it that intimate feel, it must enhance it.

The impact of the Fourth Century Initiative will become apparent in the following areas:

Students: Our initiative will fund merit scholarships, significantly increase need-based grants, minority scholarships, and greatly expand the on-campus student employment program. The exact amount of the increase to the student employment program is still undetermined, but it is our intention that it be significant. This, combined with an approximate 40% increase to the financial aid budget, will ensure that no qualified student will be denied access to a College of Charleston education because of financial need. A decrease in student enrollment by 300 over the next four-year period will further improve the faculty-student interaction that is at the heart of our philosophy.

Faculty: By adding to our excellent faculty 50 full-time professors who share our passion for student-centered learning, we will improve the student/teacher ratio, increase opportunities for students to work with faculty, and decrease the average class size. The College has committed over a quarter of a million dollars to provide opportunities for student/faculty research. An additional $350,000 will be allocated for faculty research and professional development.

Staff: We will add 50 more support staff whose primary mission will be to improve and augment academic and student life services in such areas as tutoring, advising, career services, student affairs and wellness.

Programs: We will place a greater emphasis on curricular and co-curricular programs that connect learning experiences outside the classroom with the learning that occurs within the academic programs. Funds for curriculum development and research will guarantee that our curriculum always remains practical and relevant to the times.

Facilities: In addition to the major facilities improvement program already underway, we plan to renovate the existing School of Sciences and Mathematics building and add to it as well. Both the School of the Arts and School of Business and Economics will be expanded in the very near future, and we are reviewing several other facilities, including the Stern Student Center.

Of course, changes of this scope and magnitude will require substantial financial resources. A quick look at our state's economic situation reveals some of the challenges we face. In South Carolina, as in most states, revenues are down and there are increased demands on government appropriations. This year we remitted 4% of our budget to the state.

In the past, we have depended heavily on enrollment growth to fund our programs. We no longer have this option. Based on the economic environment in which we operate, we realize that this enhancement initiative must be funded in large part by tuition. In April, the Board will decide on the amount of the tuition increase and we will inform you of the specifics as soon after the meeting as possible.

However, I’d like for you to understand how our tuition compares with that of other South Carolina state colleges and universities. In the past we have been able to moderate tuition increases through enrollment growth, and therefore our tuition is among the lowest in the state. The College is ninth in tuition behind MUSC, Clemson, Winthrop, Lander, S.C. State, USC-Columbia, USC-Spartanburg and Francis Marion. Yet, we have been awarded the highest number of commendations of excellence by the Commission on Higher Education (14), while the next closest state university has earned just three. We believe that is a result of our student-centered philosophy: focus on students and excellence will follow.

We are committed to making this the exceptional institution we know it can be. With the wonderful student body we now have and will continue to attract, combined with the new student-centered programs, and excellent new faculty and staff, I know we will soon build a reputation of national preeminence.

As we move forward I hope we can count on your support of and commitment to our Fourth Century Initiative.

Sincerely,

Lee Higdon, President

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College of Charleston Launches Quality Enhancement Plan
C of C Goal to Become Nationally Preeminent Public Liberal Arts and Sciences University

CHARLESTON, S.C.-- The College of Charleston announced today the launching of "The Fourth Century: A Quest for Excellence," an ambitious and comprehensive four-year quality enhancement program to make the school "a nationally preeminent public liberal arts and sciences university."

"The College of Charleston has longed enjoyed a solid regional reputation for its strong commitment to student-centered learning," said College of Charleston President Lee Higdon.

"The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has awarded the College 14 Commendations for Excellence which is more than any other college or university in the state has received. Now, without losing what makes the College distinctive, it is poised- ready to move from its present ranking to that of a nationally preeminent public liberal arts and sciences institution. The 'Fourth Century Initiative' will enhance the experience of students at the College of Charleston and strengthen an already highly respected college degree."

After being named the College of Charleston's president last summer, Higdon began an extensive series of dialogues among the various campus constituencies on how the College can achieve its aspiration of national preeminence. The resulting quality enhancement plan has received unanimous support from the College's Board of Trustees.

"The Fourth Century: A Quest for Excellence" includes eight major goals:

  • Reducing average class sizes and student/faculty ratios

  • Increasing the quality of student-faculty interaction

  • Increasing faculty and student joint research activities

  • Reducing undergraduate enrollment

  • Enhancing financial aid and employment opportunities for students

  • Increasing student quality and keeping more of South Carolina's top students in state

  • Boosting the number of full-time faculty and key student support staff

  • Expanding and improving campus facilities

Higdon emphasizes that this student-focused initiative gives the College of Charleston the ability to build its reputation and become nationally recognized. "We are at a crossroads in higher education," said Higdon. "We can commit fully to quality now and position ourselves to move into the top ranks. It's not the easiest path, but we may never have this momentum again. This enhancement initiative is about moving upward without relinquishing our most distinguishing characteristic - student-centeredness."

The College seeks to improve the educational experience of its students by reducing its student/faculty ratio and average class size. To accomplish these goals, the College intends to hire 50 new full-time faculty over the next four years. The enhanced student-faculty interaction and relationships, considered the heart of a quality liberal arts education, will be bolstered by an increase in undergraduate research activities. A new fund specifically for faculty/student research projects will be established.

The College also seeks to add 50 new staff positions in the next four years. The primary mission of the additional support staff will be to improve and augment academic and student life services in such areas as tutoring, advising, student affairs, and wellness. At present the College has the smallest percentage of staff employees of South Carolina's major universities.

In addition, the College will decrease student enrollment by 300 over the next four years. "We believe this decision will have a beneficial impact on the quality of life for both our students and the surrounding neighborhoods," said Higdon.

A yet-to-be-determined tuition increase will be necessary to fund the multi-million dollar initiative, according to Higdon. Tuition at the College of Charleston has long been considered a "bargain" by national college survey publications. The College's tuition is currently the ninth cheapest in the state. Over the last five years, the College of Charleston's tuition increases have averaged less than 3 percent compared to the state's 4.5 percent five-year average. The College of Charleston's tuition for the 2002-2003 school year will be decided at the Board of Trustees meeting in April.

Conscious of the financial burden a tuition increase may place on students and their families, the College will significantly expand its financial aid budget and will create more on-campus employment for students. "No deserving student will be excluded from pursuing a College of Charleston education because of financial reasons," said Higdon. The College will also continue to aggressively pursue grants and gifts that can be used for student awards and scholarships.

Note to media: For more information, please call Virginia Friedman, Director of C of C's Office of Media and Technology and Supervising Director of the Office of College Relations at (843) 953-8166 or (843) 953-5632; or C of C Provost Andy Abrams at (843) 364-7190.

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C of C planning for fewer students, more faculty
College board of trustees to consider raising tuition this spring

Saturday, January 26, 2002
BY ALLISON L. BRUCE
Of Post and Courier Staff

The College of Charleston wants to be recognized as one of the top small colleges in the country and has a four-year plan to achieve that goal.

The plan is to have fewer students and more faculty. That would reduce class sizes and student-to-faculty ratios, encourage more student and faculty research collaboration and help keep top students in state. To support the multi-million dollar initiative, the college might increase tuition.

"We want to attract the best and brightest students who might be thinking of going out of state to a public or private institution," said President Lee Higdon.

Already, the school has received more commendations of excellence from the state Commission on Higher Education than any other college or university in the state. But Higdon's sights are set higher. He said the plan could position the college to compete for national recognition as a preeminent public liberal arts and sciences university.

"We clearly have the potential to create what I say is the best of both possible worlds - the intimate learning experience that takes place at a small liberal arts college with all the opportunities that come with being a large university," he said.

Plans would reduce the number of students admitted by 300 in the next four years while increasing full-time faculty by 50 and adding 50 staff positions in areas such as advising and student affairs.

The latest numbers from the college show 9,934 undergraduates, 1,683 graduate students, 516 full-time and 278 part-time faculty and 1,058 staff employees.

Higdon said the total cost of the initiative, if absorbed in one year, would mean approximately $735 more for in-state students and $1,660 more for out-of-state. The board of trustees will determine the actual amount of the increase for next school year at its April meeting.

To help students with the added costs, the college is increasing its financial aid budget by about 40 percent and creating more on-campus jobs for students. Several College of Charleston students said one of the reasons they chose the school was because of its size.

"It's a little bit smaller and more intimate," said freshman Candyce Jefferson.

She said her support for the initiative depends on how much tuition would increase.

Junior Choncey Wingate, who attends school on a scholarship, said biology classes could be smaller, though they're already smaller than at other schools. "One of the benefits is you get to have one-on-one with the professor," he said.

Along with providing smaller classes, fewer students means a better fit with available classroom and dorm space. Higdon said the reduction also would encourage better relations between the college and nearby residents.

"We recognize that we need to moderate, if not slightly reduce, our growth here," he said. "We're trying to say to our friends in the neighborhood that we are serious about growth."

A new president, Higdon has supported input from the surrounding community in the college's planning.

"It's certainly a positive step," said Robert Ballard of the Peninsular Neighborhood Consortium. But reducing the number of students by 300 might not be enough, Ballard said.

Higdon said the college will analyze the effects of the reduction as it proceeds and work with the community.

The consortium plans to meet with Higdon next week to discuss the proposal. Ballard said Higdon has been cooperative and open to discussing plans with the community.

"That was a missing link for 10 years," Ballard said.

The college's planning includes building projects. Higdon said the college is looking carefully at what it offers in its student center. The downtown arena project and proposed parking deck are under discussion, and a new dorm is under way.

Higdon said the college also plans to pay close attention to maintaining its buildings. "It doesn't do us any good to attract the best and brightest to this campus if we don't have the facilities that can enhance that learning experience," he said.

Charlie FitzSimons of the state Commission on Higher Education said the approach has been effective elsewhere.

Allison Bruce covers the Charleston County School District. Contact her at abruce@postandcourier.com or (843)937-5546.

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Wednesday, January 30, 2002
Post and Courier Editorial

Astute vision for college

College of Charleston President Lee Higdon recognizes that bigger is not necessarily better for the urban school - a view that should be met with some relief by the college's residential neighbors and by the peninsula city in general. Neither can be expected to accommodate the college's continued growth indefinitely.

President Higdon doesn't merely want to slow growth, as has been the college's recent policy. He actually plans to reduce the college's size by 300 students over the next four years. Reducing the number of students, while the college increases the number of dormitory rooms, should significantly reduce the number of students in surrounding neighborhoods.

Over the years, college officials have attempted to mitigate the increasing presence of students in established neighborhoods, though short of reducing the size of the student body. Mr. Higdon's proposal should be viewed as more than a gesture of good will to disgruntled residents who have complained about noise, parking and trash problems associated with some of their student neighbors.

As the college decreases enrollment it would increase the number of faculty members, with the goal of improving the college's academic climate. Whether the accompanying increase in tuition can be accommodated will depend on the success of a plan to provide more student aid and jobs.

The college's downtown location in the historic city has become increasingly a selling point for new faculty and students, enabling the college to be increasingly selective. Mr. Higdon's goal of making C of C a leading liberal arts college can be achieved if the state-supported college can attract the best students in South Carolina, as the president envisions.

The Board of Trustees will decide the extent to which the president's proposal, including a tuition hike, will be implemented. Improving academic quality and maintaining the feel of a small urban college are goals that trustees and the community should be able to support. Those goals are far more ambitious than unrestricted growth.

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