August 18, 2022

Dear Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Welcome to Fall 2022 at the University of South Carolina!  It is my honor and privilege to rejoin the Graduate School as your interim dean.  My faculty career in the Arnold School of Public Health focused on graduate education, and supporting graduate students has always been a focus of my administrative portfolio. 

The Graduate School partners with the academic colleges and with other campus partners including the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Success to offer you support, professional development opportunities, and to enhance your student experience. For example, the Graduate Student Resources Hub is located in Close Hipp 204. The Hub, which is designed to provide graduate students with convenient, dedicated, and integrated services, currently houses the offices of Dr. Matt Klopfenstein, National Fellowships Coordinator, and Mr. Nigel Smith, the Career Center’s Manager for Graduate Student Advising. Our goal is to expand the space to include one or two additional services in the months to come.

In addition, please visit the New Students section on our website for useful information about the Graduate School and other aspects of graduate student life here at USC. Of course, you can always reach out to your academic advisor, your graduate program director or to staff in the Graduate School with any questions or concerns.  I also remind you of various university procedures and student resources available to you:

• For information about the health insurance subsidy for full-time PhD students and graduate assistants, please visit our new Health Insurance Subsidy.  Questions regarding mandatory health insurance and the waiver process may be addressed on the Health Requirements webpage.
• The Graduate School will host a voluntary orientation for all new and continuing graduate students in the Russell House Theatre from 10:00 am to noon on Friday, August 26. We will also livestream the event on our YouTube channel for anyone who cannot attend in person.
• In accordance with federal mandates and as part of our commitment to fostering a safe and healthy community, the University of South Carolina is partnering with Vector Solutions to implement a new set of online education requirements for all new and incoming graduate students. Information about these trainings is being sent directly to students, who will be instructed to log into Self Service Carolina to access the courses. Additional information about these trainings may be found in the attached flyer and on the Community Education Page located on the Graduate School’s website under New Students.
• At the request of the Graduate Student Association's Executive Board, the Office of the Provost recently purchased a small number of laptops for graduate students to check out on a semester-to-semester basis through the Laptop Loaner Program. Questions about this program and the availability of these laptops should be directed to the Carolina Tech Zone.
• School supplies, workshops, and other support services are now available to graduate students through the Student Success Center located on the Mezzanine Level of the Thomas Cooper Library (see attached flyer).
• The Gamecock Pantry provides food assistance, toiletries, and other resources to support students’ well-being in a free and confidential manner.
• Students are also encouraged to visit the Graduate School’s Opportunities and Support Page, where they can learn more about the Graduate Student Resources Hub; view last year’s Campus Helpers Panel to learn important information about Counseling & Psychiatry; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Equal Opportunity Programs; the Graduate Student Ombuds, Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention, and Title IX regulation; and get more information about the many Professional Development opportunities and other resources that will be available this year. 
• Also be on the lookout for updates on inclusive excellence programming and student engagement opportunities on our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webpage as well as exciting announcements about the continuation and/or expansion of the Rising Star Fellowship Program, the Grace Jordan McFadden Professors Program, the Presidential Fellows Program, and other graduate scholarly initiatives.  This page also provides a list of DEI related university resources for graduate students and graduate faculty that you might find useful. 

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the university’s mitigation plans have evolved to address the current phase of COVID-19, allowing individuals to take personal responsibility for keeping themselves healthy while being mindful of their role as members of the larger university community. Please be aware of current COVID-19 guidelines.  And University Health Services provides comprehensive health care when you need it.

In addition to your physical health, it is important that you prioritize your mental and emotional well-being.  For students who are in need of assistance, Counseling & Psychiatry offers both individual and group sessions. Appointments can be made by calling (803)777-5223 during regular business hours or after-hours for crisis counseling or by logging into MyHealthSpace. Wellness Coaching appointments can be made by calling (803)777-6518 or logging into MyHealthSpace. And students can also access virtual self-help modules via Therapy Assistance Online (TAO). Most of these services are covered by the University Health Services tuition fee, at no extra cost to students. And faculty and staff also have a wide range of health and well-being resources  available to them as a benefit of employment.

I am delighted that you have chosen the University of South Carolina for your graduate studies.  As we welcome new and returning students to graduate education and new leadership to many roles across the institution, I look forward to working with you, supporting your work and celebrating your successes as we individually and as a university seek new levels of academic excellence.
 
Forever to Thee!

Cheryl L. Addy, PhD
Vice Provost and Dean of Faculty, Interim Dean of the Graduate School