FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ben Fox 803-734-2100
Governor Announces Logistics for Higher Ed Summit
SEPT. 28 SUMMIT TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED DIALOGUE ON HIGHER ED REFORM
Columbia, S.C. – September 16, 2010 – Governor Sanford today announced that the upcoming Higher Education Summit will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 28, in the Academic Center Auditorium (Room 116) at Midlands Technical College, Airport Campus (1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia). In the weeks leading up to this Summit, the Governor plans to help clear away several misperceptions about higher education, student body composition, and college affordability – the first of which can be found here: http://scgovernor.com/news/releases/8-14-2010.htm.
“While there are certainly passionate arguments to be made from several fronts on the question of higher ed accessibility and affordability, we believe a statewide discussion must begin in earnest if necessary changes are to be made in the coming legislative session,” Gov. Mark Sanford said. “We think this Summit could well provide the open and indeed Socratic environment needed to foster a frank debate about how best to address recent burdensome tuition hikes, as well as explore ways to better protect the taxpayer while keeping the dream of college within reach for hard-working South Carolina families. I look forward to hearing from the many parties involved, and would urge those students and their parents who feel strongly on this issue to join us on September 28.”
Speakers, expert panelists and invitees include: State Senators John Courson and Kevin Bryant, and State Representative Ralph Norman; Dr. Michael Poliakoff, Policy Director of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni; Presidents of various state colleges and universities; Members of the Boards of Trustees for state colleges and universities; State Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom; State Treasurer Converse Chellis; incoming State Treasurer Curtis Loftis; Ken Wingate, Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education Board; Dr. Garrison Walters, Executive Director of the Commission on Higher Education; Darrel Staat, President of the SC Technical College System; Montez Martin, Chair of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education; Dr. Rebecca Gunnlaugsson, South Carolina Department of Commerce; and students and parents from across South Carolina, among others.
All interested South Carolinians, college students, parents, community leaders, legislators, stakeholders, and members of the media are invited to attend. Given the number of RSVPs already received, please call or email Leigh LeMoine (803-734-0067; llemoine@gov.sc.gov) with any questions and to confirm your attendance.
###
comments