The text of the latest agreement which empowers the Aiken County Commission on Higher Education to form USCA is listed below. A copy of the actual signed agreement between the USC Board of Trustees and the Aiken County Commission on Higher Education is on file in the Chancellor's office.

 This Agreement made and entered into this 13th day of August l975, between the University of South Carolina, an educational institution and an agency of the State of South Carolina, hereinafter referred to as the University; and the Aiken County Commission on Higher Education, established by an act of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, hereinafter referred to as the Commission:

WITNESSED:

 THAT WHEREAS, the Commission was created by #21-l099 of the1962 Code of Laws of South Carolina. as amended, for the express purpose of encouraging higher education in Aiken County and adjacent areas;

AND WHEREAS, the aforesaid Commission desires to contract for such services to be provided by the University;

AND WHEREAS, the University is desirous of servicing the citizens and people of the area served by the Commission.

NOW THEREFORE, in contemplation of the relationship between the parties to this Agreement and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties mutually agree as follows:

l. Laws Applicable

This Agreement is entered into in the County of Riceland, State of South Carolina, and is governed in accordance with the laws of South Carolina.

2. Responsibility for Policy and Procedure

2.1: The Board of Trustees of the University establishes all policies and procedures for the operation of Branches of the University including the University of South Carolina at Aiken.

2.2: The Commission may provide advice and make recommendations regarding the operation of the University of South Carolina at Aiken to the President and other officers of the University.

3. Establishment of a Four-Year Branch

3.1: The campus, having reached four-year status, is designated a Branch of the University and is removed from the Regional Campus System to the extent permitted by the laws of the State of South Carolina, the terms and covenants contained herein, and any future actions of the Board of Trustees.

3.2: The Board of Trustees will decide upon the title for the chief administrative officer for the Branch.

3.3: The President and the Board of Trustees of the University, in consultation with the Commission, will select the chief administrative officer of the Branch who will serve at the will of the President and the Board of Trustees.

4. Academic Programs

4.1: The University will provide courses for academic credit for which there is a reasonable demand at the University of South Carolina Aiken, such courses to include among others, four year programs of study which will lead to the granting, upon the successful completion of a prescribed course of study, of approved degrees.

4.2: The University through its President and its Vice President for Regional Campuses with the advice of the chief administrative officer for the University of South Carolina Aiken and the faculty of the University of South Carolina Aiken will, in their sole discretion, conduct and supervise the academic programs of the University of South Carolina Aiken and will establish the requirements for approved degrees at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

4.3: Establishment of new or additional educational programs or courses of study at the University of South Carolina Aiken will be implemented on approval by the University Board of Trustees and in accord with applicable State law and University policies.

5. Administrative and Instructional Services

5.l: The University will provide necessary administrative and instructional services required for the operation of the University of South Carolina Aiken.

5.2: The University will provide necessary supplies required for the normal operation and functioning of the University of South Carolina Aiken, such supplies to include, but not to be limited to, library books, expendable library supplies, instructional supplies, equipment and fixtures for offices, classrooms, laboratories and libraries, all of which supplies, equipment and fixtures shall be and remain property of the State of South Carolina.

5.3: The University of South Carolina Aiken will use the facilities and capabilities of the Columbia campus in providing support services, examples of such services to include but not to be limited to purchasing, accounting, legal counsel, academic planning, and personnel.

6. Faculty

6.1: The recruitment and employment of faculty is the responsibility of the administration of the University of South Carolina Aiken; but appointments to the teaching faculty at the University of South Carolina Aiken will require the approval of the Vice President for Regional Campuses of the University.

6.2: The granting of tenure to a faculty member of the University of South Carolina Aiken will only confer tenure in respect to the faculty of the University of South Carolina Aiken under policies set out in the Regional Campus Faculty Manual and as otherwise promulgated within the University.

7. Fiscal Responsibility

7.1: All funds appropriated or otherwise distributed by testate of South Carolina for the purposes of providing for the operation and development of the University of South Carolina Aiken will be under the direct control of the President and Board of Trustees of the University.

7.2: While the Commission may make recommendations and suggestions for the expenditure of funds the sole responsibility for and control of the expenditure of appropriated funds or other funds distributed by testate of South Carolina for operations of, and capital improvements upon, the University of South Carolina Aiken is vested in the President and the Board of Trustees of the University.

7.3: The Commission agrees that all requests for capital improvements to the University of South Carolina Aiken will be coordinated with the administration of the University.

7.4: The Commission agrees that no capital improvements will be made at the University of South Carolina Aiken with appropriated funds or funds otherwise distributed by the State of South Carolina until the property upon which the improvements will be constructed is conveyed tithe State of South Carolina by deed in fee simple, or, in the alternative, leased to the State of South Carolina on a long-term basis.

8. Facilities

The Commission agrees to provide and maintain suitable facilities for the programs provided by the University, to the extent that funds are available from the county government, and primary responsibility for care and maintenance of facilities shall lie with the Commission; but the University may supplement the efforts of the Commission in this regard on an occasional basis to the extent that funds may be available for this purpose. Insurance for the facilities shall be provided by the Commission through the State Insurance Sinking Fund.