USC board approves tuition freeze, president's raise and major projects. Here's what to know

The University of South Carolina Board of Trustees took sweeping action at its June 19 meeting, approving everything from a presidential raise to an overhaul of the student union overhaul. The decisions touch nearly every corner of campus life, from tuition and AI access to athletics and the student experience.

Here are key takeaways:

• In-state tuition will remain frozen at $12,288 for an eighth consecutive year, while out-of-state students will pay 3% more at $38,500 for 2026-27, according to the annual budget approved by trustees.
• President Michael Amiridis received a $150,000 raise and could earn an additional $1.75 million over five years, bringing his base salary to $1.3 million with up to $350,000 in annual supplemental pay if he remains in his post until 2031.
• Trustees moved forward with an expansion and renovation of the Russell House student union, a multiphase project that could cost $250 million and take up to five years to complete.
• The board approved a $2.5 million deal renewing and expanding USC’s partnership with OpenAI, after roughly 25,000 students, faculty and staff activated ChatGPT accounts in the first year.
• A new civil rights center is being planned on the site of the former Booker T. Washington High School, an estimated $24.4 million project expected to take at least three to four years to complete.
• Assistant men’s basketball coach Steve Smith received a two-year contract worth $400,000 annually, with up to $70,000 in incentives if the Gamecocks make the postseason and reach the Final Four.
• New baseball pitching coach Matt Williams signed a three-year deal worth $450,000 annually, hitting coach Bill Cilento got a three-year contract worth $425,000 per season and outfield coach Chad Oxendine signed a two-year deal worth $300,000, all with NCAA Tournament-related incentives.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.