Mission, Vision, and Values

Mission

The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) responds to regional needs, draws upon
regional strengths, and prepares graduates to contribute locally, nationally, and
internationally with its focus on teaching, research, and service. USCB is a public,
comprehensive institution in the University of South Carolina system, offering associate and baccalaureate degrees in the liberal arts, the sciences, and professional disciplines and select master's degrees in response to regional demand through on-site and distance delivery methods. Serving a diverse population, USCB enriches the quality of life for students and area residents through artistic and cultural offerings; collaborations with regional, national, and international partners; and lifelong learning opportunities.

Approved April 21, 2017 - USC System Board of Trustees
Approved March 1, 2018 - South Carolina Commission on Higher Education

Vision

The University of South Carolina Beaufort will be a university of academic distinction that is student centered and community engaged.

Values

As we, staff and administrators, work together with faculty, students and our fellow staff members to support the mission of USCB, our interactions will be guided by the following principles:

• Integrity: possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards. At USCB, we view integrity as a willingness to be transparent in our dealings and a desire to treat all members of the university community with fairness and respect.
• Collaboration: working together with one or more people in order to achieve a common goal.  At USCB, we view collaboration with individuals, departments and outside partnering agencies as a means to develop better ideas and implement them more successfully.
• Innovation: creatively inventing, introducing and implementing new ideas, approaches or tools to increase our effectiveness and efficiency. At USCB, we view innovation, both in our educational and research processes and in our internal operations, as an important measure of our growth as an institution.
• Responsiveness: reacting quickly, strongly, and positively to a constituent’s need, suggestion or proposal. At USCB, we believe that responsive individuals show compassion and genuinely desire to assist others.
• Accountability: accepting one’s responsibility to others in the organization and for one’s own work role. Accountability at USCB centers on the effectiveness of our educational and student support functions and the business processes that underlie them.
• Excellence: committing to reach a level of superior and outstanding performance. At USCB, we aim to serve our students and the communities in our region with distinctive programs tailored to their needs and strengths.

Our Sand Shark Mascot

The sand shark is familiar to the Lowcountry and is often caught from local tidal docks. Sharks are powerful, graceful, strong, and sleek—but not always predictable. They also make for a strong athletic mascot—proud, tough, aggressive, and athletic. This mascot conveys our coastal

University of South Carolina Alma Mater

“We Hail Thee Carolina”
We hail thee, Carolina, and sing thy high praise;
With loyal devotion, remembering the days,
When proudly we sought thee, thy children to be;
Here's a health, Carolina, forever to thee!
Since pilgrims of learning, we entered thy walls
And found dearest comrades in thy classic halls;
We've honored and loved thee as sons faithfully;
Here's a health, Carolina, forever to thee!
Generations of sons have rejoiced to proclaim
Thy watchword of service, thy beauty and fame
For ages to come shall their rallying cry be;
Here's a health, Carolina, forever to thee!
Fair shrine of high honor and truth, thou shalt still
Blaze forth as a beacon, thy mission fulfill;
And crowned by all hearts in a new jubilee;
Here's a health, Carolina, forever to thee!

The Carolinian Creed

The community of scholars at the University of South Carolina is dedicated to personal and academic excellence. Choosing to join the community obligates each member to a code of civilized behavior known as The Carolinian Creed*:

As a Carolinian ...

I will practice personal and academic integrity;

I will respect the dignity of all persons;

I will respect the rights and property of others;

I will discourage bigotry, while striving

to learn from differences in people, ideas and opinions;

I will demonstrate concern for others, their feelings, and their need for conditions which support their work and development.

Allegiance to these ideals requires each Carolinian to refrain from and discourage behaviors which threaten the freedom and respect every individual deserves.

 *The creed serves as the ethics statement for USCB students, faculty and staff.