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Francis Marion details autism services and seeks tuition mitigation, campus safety and facility funds
Summary
Francis Marion University described a cross‑disciplinary autism program funded through committee seed money, private donations and local partners, and asked for tuition mitigation, campus police funding, library renovations and HVAC upgrades.
Francis Marion University presented programmatic and budget priorities to the House Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee, emphasizing an autism services initiative and a mix of recurring and capital needs aimed at supporting the university's regional mission.
President Dr. Fred Carter described an autism program the school launched with prior legislative seed funding and subsequent private philanthropy. He said initial committee support helped the university attract philanthropic donations and broaden services to autistic children and adults, offering treatment, counseling and family supports through disciplines such as special education, applied psychology, occupational therapy, speech therapy and psychiatric nurse practice.
Carter told the committee the program "raised the visibility of the need across the pediatric regions of South Carolina" and that the university has been able to leverage community and foundation support rather than asking the subcommittee for new autism program money this year. He offered to provide slide‑level data on participants and geographic reach upon request.
On budgetary requests, Francis Marion sought HEPI‑based tuition mitigation of about $2.9 million, $500,000 in recurring funds for campus police enhancements to support four campus locations, four new FTEs, $5,000,000 to renovate a decades‑old library (including HVAC and modernization) and $4,000,000 to upgrade campus HVAC and infrastructure. Carter said the university is not requesting proviso changes this year.
Committee members asked whether H‑1B visa constraints or a Department of Education rule redefining which programs receive certain federal aid could affect program staffing or graduate financing. Carter said international faculty play an important role in hard‑to‑fill fields and that the visa process is difficult; he agreed to raise the Education Department regulation with faculty leadership for review.
Representatives commended Francis Marion's autism work and encouraged the university to return with specific grant or budget requests if additional support is needed. The subcommittee moved on without taking formal action.
