Academic Skills Program

The Academic Skills Program offers a wide variety of services designed to help students improve their reading and study skills. Students who are having difficulty with classes as well as students who are more successful may benefit from consultation with or participation in the Academic Skills Program.

Services include: individual skills counseling; study skills presentations; computer-assisted instruction; programs focusing on time management, speed reading and comprehension, test-taking skills and test anxiety reduction, note-taking and listening, vocabulary development, memory improvement, and textbook mastery. Academic assessment, learning-style assessment, and preparation for standardized admissions tests for graduate and professional schools are also available. For more information or to make an appointment call 803-777-6573.

Academic Support and Assistance Program

This program coordinates an early-warning referral system for undergraduates experiencing academic and/or personal adjustment problems by identifying and referring students to the various academic support programs and services available at the University for individualized assistance. Students are referred by faculty and staff or identify themselves as needing assistance. For more information call the Academic Skills Program at 803-777-6573.

ASKUS Telephone Information Service

ASKUS is a telephone service that provides information on a number of topics specific to both the Carolina and Columbia communities. Sponsored by the USC Department of Student Development, ASKUS is available to callers with touch-tone telephones 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A listing of the topic areas and their specific code numbers can be found in the University campus telephone directory or requested by calling the ASKUS office at 803-777-6142. This information can also be found on the Student and Alumni Services Web page.

The Activities Hotline is produced in conjunction with various program, services, and activities offered at the University of South Carolina and in Columbia. Information about events at Carolina and in Columbia is updated weekly and is available to students, faculty and staff, and the general public. To find out "what's happening" at Carolina and in Columbia, enter (0), the one-digit topic number for the Activities Hotline and then the three-digit code number for the specific day's activities. The specific code numbers are:

(100) for Monday
(200) for Tuesday
(300) for Wednesday
(400) for Thursday
(500) for Friday
(600) for Saturday
(700) for Sunday

If you would like your organization's activities publicized on the ASKUS Activities Hotline, or if you would like to receive a listing of the questions and code numbers, please call 803-777-6142.

Career Center

The Career Center, located on the sixth floor of the Close-Hipp Building, offers career development services to students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The center also assists local, regional, national, and international employers with filling needs for part-time and full-time employment. The center can be reached by phone at 803-777-7280 or by fax at 803-777-7556. Information regarding services can also be obtained on the Web at www.sc.edu/career.

The center consists of two program areas: Career Development, providing career assessment, career information, career counseling, computerized career guidance, and job search assistance; and Employer Relations, providing part-time and summer employment, cooperative education opportunities, paid and unpaid career internships, job shadowing, and full-time employment opportunities upon graduation. A Web-based program is used for resume development, resume referrals, interview registration, and job listings.

The center uses traditional methods such as on-campus recruiting and career fairs as well as the latest technological innovations such as the Web-based program and video-teleconference interviewing to connect students and employers. Students and employers have 24-hour access from anywhere in the world to the center's Web job listings and candidate resume database.

Students are encouraged to access Career Center services starting in their freshman year. An orientation is required for use of Web-based services.

International Student Services

International student services at USC are offered by International Programs for Students. Services for international students include pre-arrival assistance, specialized orientation programs, immigration counseling, and individual consultations to resolve problems related to academic, personal, and cultural adjustment issues. International Programs for Students also coordinates campus-wide efforts to promote cultural and social programs that cultivate interaction among U.S. and international students.

For information, contact International Programs for Students, Suite 123, Byrnes Building, or call 803-777-7461.

National Student Exchange

The National Student Exchange Program provides an exciting opportunity for sophomore and junior USC students to attend one of over 160 colleges and universities across the United States and in Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Canada. Participants pay the same tuition and fees as at Carolina and avoid much of the usual red tape associated with transferring. Students are eligible to exchange for a minimum of one semester or a maximum of one academic year. Contact the Office of Educational Support Services at 803-777-6142 for further information.

Off-Campus Housing Services

Off-Campus Housing Services provides available off-campus housing information for students. If you are looking for a roommate, a house to rent, or an apartment close to USC, then visit the office. For further information regarding Off-Campus Housing Services, stop by the Russell House Information Center, call 803-777-6680, or visit the Web site at www.sa.sc.edu/ocss/homepage.htm.

Parent Programs

The Parent Programs area provides programs and services for USC parents and students to help familiarize and integrate them into the Carolina community. The area provides an outlet for family participation in the education of their college student(s). Each year Parent Programs sponsors the Parents' Annual Fund Campaign. Through this campaign University-wide projects are funded to benefit USC students.

Programs and services include Parents Weekend--a special weekend of planned activities for parents and students each fall; Carolina Ties--a bi-annual newsletter sent to all parents of undergraduate students; The Parents Handbook--a resource for parents that includes the most frequnetly asked questions, phone numbers, and basic University information; the Parents Assistance Line (800-868-6752)--a toll-free phone line available to USC parents with questions about the University; and a Web site at www.sa.sc.edu/stlife/parents/parentshome.html--up-to-date information about Parent Programs and links to many other informative USC sites. You may contact Parent Programs at 803-777-7130.

Psychological Service Center

The Psychological Service Center provides diagnostic and treatment services to students, faculty, and staff of the University and to adults and children in the surrounding community. The center is staffed by doctoral degree candidates in clinical psychology; therapists have ongoing contact with psychology department faculty on all cases. Consultation to community and campus agencies is also offered. Diagnostic, evaluative, and therapeutic services to students, faculty, staff, and the community are provided free of charge.

Religious Life

Many varied opportunities for religious worship, study, and activity are provided on the Columbia campus. Ordained chaplains, other University-recognized religious workers, and student leaders from various denominations, faiths, and organizations serve the campus and are available as pastors, mentors, and counselors. The members of the Carolina Chaplains Association are professional ministers and/or directors of religious groups, either housed in their own centers or using space on campus for their events. Other religious workers are students in the University who direct and coordinate activities among their peers. Activities and events are open to all students. For further information, obtain a copy of the Carolina Chaplains Association brochure, call 803-777-5782, or visit the Chaplains Association Web site at www.sa.sc.edu/chaplain/association.htm or the religious student organizations Web site at db.sa.sc.edu/studorg/public/religious.asp.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities are assisted through the Office of Disability Services and through the Learning Disability Program. The professionally trained staff works toward accessibility to all University programs, services, and activities in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some of the services offered include orientation, priority registration, adapted housing, adapted transportation, library access, test proctoring, classroom adaptations, sign language interpreters, readers and notetakers, and academic, personal, and vocation counseling. If you have a disability and need assistance or information, please call the Office of Disability Services at (V) 803-777-6742, (TDD) 803-777-6744, or 803-777-6142 for information about the Learning Disabilities Program.

Student Orientation Programs

Orientation, advisement, and class registration programs are conducted by the Office of Student Orientation and Testing Services each summer for new freshmen, transfer students, and their parents. Additional programs include fall- and spring-semester orientation and Carolina Welcome Week, a fall, week-long program of events designed to ease the students' transition to the University environment.

Study Abroad

International Programs for Students advises American students about the numerous exchange and study abroad opportunities offered by USC. Through these programs, USC students have the opportunity to study at institutions throughout the world.

For information, contact International Programs for Students, Suite 123, Byrnes Building, or call 803-777-7461.

Women's Student Services

Over half of the students at the University of South Carolina are women. The Office of Women’s Student Services addresses the needs and concerns of women students both on and off campus. The office provides a central point on campus for information, referral services, and educational programs related to gender issues. Programs include the Connections (the women's mentoring network) and activities during Women's History Month. The Women's Student Association is advised through this office, and information on membership or any of the services can be obtained by calling 803-777-5780 or visiting the office in the Lower Level, West Wing of the Russell House.

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