These policies, if not adjusted, could impair our ability to staff our courses even further and may create a conflict between colleges that will reach the Provost for decision. This absence of support in relatively good times raises concern as to whether we will be able to staff critical courses by any means when resources tighten further. If so, the University's ability to sustain an Honors College of its current quality and size must be questioned, even if the budget of the College is enhanced to some degree. The threatened reductions in state support of the University exacerbate this problem. The five-year plan of the South Carolina Honors College builds on past accomplishments while addressing current deficiencies and anticipated resource constraints.
Uncertain resources dominate strategic planning.
This fee, at the proposed level of 100 dollars per semester for new students and 50 dollars per semester for continuing ones, would provide a revenue stream sufficient to maintain the critical elements of our plan. This proposal has been discussed with and approved by the Honors College staff, the College Policy Committee, the Student Honors Council, and our Partnership Board. Support for this proposal has been strong, though not unanimous. In the absence of the fee, budget reductions would force either a debasement of the core mission or a reduction in the size of the College. Table 2 assumes our existing base budget, after current reductions, and the enhancement fee.