We're glad you're back!

August 18, 2025

Dear USC students,

Welcome home to Carolina! We’re glad to have you back!

Whether this is your first semester as a Gamecock or you are returning after a summer break, your campus community has plenty for you to discover. A few things might look a little different than you remember.

We listened when you talked about the need for more seating and dining options on campus – so be sure to check out the newly opened Garnet Station on the first floor of Russell House. New classrooms, labs and study spaces are ready for use in the Science and Technology Building’s East Tower. The new pedestrian bridge over Wheat Street, between Blatt P.E. Center and South Quad, is now completed, so pedestrians and bicyclists have a safer, traffic-free route from South Campus to the heart of campus. And streetscaping renovations are finished on Main Street, making it easier for students to navigate to academic buildings and retail spaces.

Technology got an upgrade, too. USC will provide free access this year to ChatGPT for its students, faculty and staff, and you should notice improved Wi-Fi in several areas of campus, including Thomas Cooper Library, Close-Hipp and Gambrell Hall. And the new parking guidance system in Bull Street Garage is now online through the ParkUSC app to help you find available parking spaces more efficiently.

I want to highlight these improvements, because many of them were informed by the Imagine Carolina brainstorming sessions we held with students in September 2022. It’s time to hear from our students again, so we are planning the next Imagine Carolina on Sept. 21 in the Gateway 737 banquet center on Gadsden Street. Mark your calendars to be there – we want to hear your ideas about how we can keep improving the USC student experience.

Another date to note on your calendar: Nov. 1, 11:59 pm. That’s the deadline for submitting artwork for this year’s Holiday Card Design Contest. This is year four for this contest that invites USC students to design the President and First Lady’s holiday card. We’ve seen a lot of creative ideas in years past, and we know there is more talent out there. Please send us your designs as soon as you like – but no later than Nov. 1!

I’m guessing there are some other dates you are looking forward to – for example, the first home football game on Sept. 6, Family Weekend Sept. 11-13, and Fall Break Oct. 9-12 – but let’s not get ahead of ourselves!

Let’s start with First Night Carolina on The Horseshoe tonight, followed by your first day of classes tomorrow. I know it’s going to be a great semester, and I look forward to seeing you on campus.

Go Gamecocks!

Michael Amiridis
President