Higher Education Study Committee

Description and Information

The HESC was authorized through legislative action during the 2007 Session of the General Assembly.  The Committee was charged broadly with a mission of developing and recommending an evolving, multi-year statewide strategic plan for higher education in South Carolina to meet the needs of the state as can be addressed by higher education.  In accomplishing its work, the Committee was to take into consideration the final report of the Governor’s Task Force on Higher Education .

The HESC consisted of nine members appointed as follows: three by the Governor, one by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one by the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, one by the Chairman of House Ways and Means Committee, one by the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and one by the Chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee.  A copy of the proviso authorizing the committee and a listing of the membership follows. 

Higher Education Study Committee, Proviso 5A.28

Information on the HESC's work process is found below

 HESC Meeting Notices and Agenda
Meetings are listed from most recent to earliest.

HESC Public Hearings

The HESC held a series of public hearings to receive input on recommendations on an Action Plan for Higher Education.  The hearings were hosted at colleges and universities around the state. Hearing schedules are found below along with draft recommendations for discussion.

• Hearings Summary Report
• Midlands Hearing, December 10th -Details
• Hearing Schedule (week of November 17th - 21st)
• Recommendations for Action Plan Implementation (Draft for Discussion)

Your comments are welcome.  Please send feedback toHESC@che.sc.gov .

HESC Implementation Working Groups

The HESC identified four goals to be included as a part of the recommended Action Plan for Higher Education. The goals include 1) making South Carolina one of the most educated states, 2) increasing research and innovation in South Carolina, 3) increasing workforce training and educational services, and 4) realizing South Carolina’s potential, resources and effectiveness. A working group has been established for each goal. These groups are meeting during fall 2008 and are tasked with developing their recommendations to the HESC for the implementation details and necessary resources to accomplish the goals. Provided below are general resources for the working Groups and information specific to the work process of each group (e.g., meeting dates and resources).

• Participant List
• HESC Summary Information and Charge to the Working Groups

General Resources

• HESC Draft Goal Templates for Goals 1 - 4 (developed at the HESC Retreat on March 21)
• Advisory Group Reports presented to the HESC in early 2008
  • Organization and Plan Implementation
  • Institutional Missions and Academic Programs and Planning
  • Enrollment
  • Funding and Institutional Cost
  • Buildings, Facilities and Information Technology
  • State-Supported Scholarships and Grants

   Report Feedback from Public Colleges & Universities

• Governor's Task Force Report, September 2006
• Foundations for the Future Report and Data, 2003
• Special Report - Retaining Graduates of S.C. Public Colleges & Universities
• Summary Report on S.C. Scholarship & Grants 1988 - 2005
• General Fact Books:
  • 2008 S.C. Higher Education Statistical Abstract
  • A Closer Look at Public Higher Education in SC: Institutional Effectiveness, Accountability and Performance, January 2008
• Other Data and Reports available on CHE's Website

Resources (including scheduled meeting dates) for Each Goal Group:

• Goal Group 1 -- Making South Carolina One of the Most Educated States

• Goal Group 2 -- Increasing Research and Innovation in South Carolina

• Goal Group 3 -- Making South Carolina a Leader in Workforce Training and Educational Services

• Goal Group 4 -- Realizing South Carolina's Potential:  Resources and Effectiveness

HESC Advisory Groups

As part of its initial work process, the HESC formed six advisory groups to assist in informing the work of the HESC. These groups included (1) Organization and Plan Implementation, (2) Institutional Missions and Academic Programs and Planning, (3) Enrollment, (4) Funding and Institutional Cost, (5) Buildings, Facilities and Information Technology, and (6) State-Supported Scholarships and Grants. The purpose of the advisory groups was to provide broad-based input and more in-depth analysis and information for consideration of the Study Committee. The Advisory Groups reported to the HESC in early 2008. For information on these reports, see links above.  For a listing of the participants –Participants by Group .