When students return to the UofSC campus over the next two weeks, they’ll see big changes to Russell House, the student union center in the heart of campus, and they’ll be welcomed by a new president.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the changes on campus, and a major project in progress.
Russell House
- Gamecock Park, the new second-floor dining hall, contains seven different stations with options ranging from pasta, pizza, and sandwiches, to an international food station. In addition, UofSC is adding space to the second floor of Russell House to accommodate seating for 290 people altogether.
- New terrazzo flooring replaced a dark brown brick look, and features “feather” components of the University’s Gamecock logo. The update brightens the aesthetic with light colors + showcases the Heritage Wall that pays homage to the founders of the Russell House — former Governor and Mrs. Donald S. Russell.
- The Russell House Bookstore has been renovated to accommodate for more space by relocating the checkout area and now offers an expanded apparel section.
A new president
- When UofSC students arrive on campus, they’ll be welcomed home by new president Michael Amiridis, who took office on July 1. Before his presidency, he was the Chancellor of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and was the dean of the College of Engineering + Computing at UofSC for more than 20 years prior to that.
DYK: In June, President Amiridis was named to Carnegie’s annual list of Great Immigrants?
In progress
- UofSC’s biggest construction project in progress is Campus Village. Located on ~10 acres on the south part of campus, Campus Village will come in three phases. Phase one is expected to be completed by fall 2023 and consists of three suite-style buildings, one pod-style residential hall, and a dining facility.
In total, the project three-phase project is considered the largest in the history of the university and will cost an estimated $210 million.