H 4698 Concurrent Resolution, By Knotts
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE STRONG BELIEF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
 SOUTH CAROLINA IS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES OF OUR STATE
 AND SHOULD REMAIN A SEPARATE COLLEGE OF THE UNIVERSITY AND NOT BE MERGED WITH
 ANY OTHER COLLEGE OR ACADEMIC ENTITY OF THE UNIVERSITY.

   02/07/02  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-42
   02/12/02         Introduced SJ-12
   02/12/02  Senate Referred to Committee on Education SJ-12

TO EXPRESS THE STRONG BELIEF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA IS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES OF OUR STATE AND SHOULD REMAIN A SEPARATE COLLEGE OF THE UNIVERSITY AND NOT BE MERGED WITH ANY OTHER COLLEGE OR ACADEMIC ENTITY OF THE UNIVERSITY.

Whereas, in 1974, the General Assembly established a graduate program in criminal justice at the University of South Carolina. The purpose was to provide higher education for the people of our State who were interested in this field. A few years later, the administration asked the dean of the program to add undergraduate studies. This was approved unanimously by the faculty senate. The College of Criminal Justice was thus established over twenty-seven years ago and continues to make great strides; and

Whereas the biggest contribution by the college is the three thousand one hundred ninety-one students who have earned a criminal justice degree. Of that number, five hundred forty-six were awarded a master's degree. Many graduates are currently working in the South Carolina criminal justice system and other state and federal agencies. The college adds professionals to many fields, including law enforcement, corrections, and court administration. This ensures a strong criminal justice presence and effective protection of our citizens; and

Whereas, many distinguished law enforcement officers have graduated from the College of Criminal Justice, including Sheriff Jimmy Metts, Sheriff Johnny Mack Brown, Sheriff Al Cannon, Sheriff Tommy Mimms, former corrections Director Bill Leeke, the Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and former Police Chief Charles Austin; and

Whereas, members of the University's Strategic Directions and Initiative Committee (SDIC), during their deliberations on university organization structure are considering minimizing or reducing the status of the college by merging it with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or another academic entity; and

Whereas, during this period in which all South Carolinians are impacted by terrorism and rising crime rates, when our troops are fighting dangerous forces in Afghanistan, and President Bush is supporting every possible move to strengthen the criminal justice system, it is incomprehensible that the role of the College of Criminal Justice should be minimized; and

Whereas, during a tight budget year, we must recognize the interest of young people in this vital field and realize the College of Criminal Justice is financially successful because of high student enrollment. The college now generates over eight hundred thousand dollars above its operating costs; and

Whereas, during a time when citizens throughout the nation want the best our educational system can provide in fields that protect their communities, this is not the time to turn our backs on those who are pursuing an education in criminal justice; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly for the above reasons, believe that it would be an unfortunate and irreversible mistake not to maintain the College of Criminal Justice as a separate college of the University of South Carolina at Columbia. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, express their strong belief that the College of Criminal Justice of the University of South Carolina is one of the most valuable educational resources of our State and should remain a separate college of the University and not be merged with any other college or academic entity of the University.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees.