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THE UNIVERSITY
Francis Marion University is a four-year public institution established by the state of South Carolina. It is located in the northeastern part of the state near the city of Florence and has approximately 4,000 students. Its purpose is threefold: to provide students with an excellent education, stimulate inquiry and research, and serve the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Francis Marion University adheres to the primary purpose of its establishment as a college in 1970: to make available excellent undergraduate education in the liberal arts and selected professional programs. The University now offers bachelor's degrees in liberal arts disciplines, business, education, and nursing; master's degrees in business, education, and psychology; and a specialist degree in school psychology. While maintaining high standards, we serve students with a broad range of preparation and ability. We seek a wide variety of students, primarily from the Pee Dee region, but also from the entire state, other states, and foreign countries. We believe that a student body diverse in age, racial and ethnic background, and country of origin enriches the education of our students. To achieve its educational goals, the University has outstanding faculty members distinguished by high achievement and diverse academic background. We provide traditional and, when appropriate, non-traditional instruction, access to an excellent library as well as electronic resources, and staff members committed to the success of the individual student. A low student-faculty ratio and faculty concern for the individual student help us to achieve our goal. In addition, the University provides students with special learning opportunities, such as an honors program, internships, study abroad, and cooperative degree programs. Since our highest priority is excellence in teaching and learning, we believe that intellectual inquiry and analysis by students and faculty members is essential. We encourage all scholarly pursuits, including student research for courses and faculty research for presentation and publication as well as the classroom. The University provides faculty members with support for academic development, such as research funds. Our goal of an academic experience built on inquiry and research as well as the transmission of information allows students to develop their ability to think and communicate, to gain the knowledge and skills to pursue a career or further study, to appreciate the creativeness of the human mind, to be aware of the human and natural environment of the world, and to have the capacity to pursue a life of learning and understanding. The University also attempts to serve the needs of Florence and the surrounding area in ways beyond formal education. Our numerous cultural activities and athletic programs benefit not only students, but also the community. To foster the economic development of the region, we offer consulting services to business, industry, and government. Academic and practical assistance to area schools is basic to our endeavors. Faculty and staff members participate in and contribute to a great variety of community activities. Francis Marion is a unique University. It focuses on traditional liberal arts education but provides new technology and new academic programs. It is small enough to provide individualized attention to each student, but large enough to offer much variety in academic and cultural resources. It thus combines the advantages of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a public university. Francis Marion University is one of South Carolina's 13 public, coeducational universities. As one of the state's six comprehensive institutions, FMU prides itself on providing a strong liberal arts education. The University offers a broad range of undergraduate degrees and a select number of graduate programs in serving the needs of communities, businesses and industries of the Pee Dee region. Francis Marion is the only state university located in the Pee Dee region, and many of its students are the first in their families to go to college. FMU has the look and feel of a small, liberal arts college with all the benefits of a state-supported, comprehensive university. FMU offers an excellent learning environment, small enough to afford students personalized attention from faculty and staff, and large enough to let students expand their horizons. All faculty members have advanced degrees, and 81 percent of the full-time faculty hold doctoral or terminal degrees. While 95 percent of its students come from South Carolina, the University enrolls students from 36 states and 16 foreign countries, allowing students to experience the diversity of people from other cultures. The student-faculty ratio is 15 to 1, and the average class size is 21. The average age of undergraduates is 21, while the average age of graduate students is 36. Located about seven miles east of Florence, the 400-acre campus is known for its beautiful foliage and landscaping. The campus includes 100 acres of mixed pine-hardwood and bottomland forests accessed by a series of trails. Several acres have been set aside as an arboretum that is being developed into a resource with many of the native species of the area. The University's modern classroom buildings, laboratories, and residence facilities provide a safe, comfortable learning environment for students. The campus also features a number of recreational facilities that are available for use by students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and for use in intramural and intercollegiate athletic competition. Most buildings have been constructed or renovated since 1970. Facilities are equipped with ramps, and those of more than one story are equipped with elevators. Though each building has its own unique design, all are planned for architectural harmony. One of the busiest places on campus is James A. Rogers Library, the state's sixth largest academic library and the largest library in northeastern South Carolina. It serves as a valuable resource for individual citizens, businesses, and industries in the entire region. The Pee Dee Education Center is located on the south end of the FMU campus. The Center is a regional educational consortium serving 19 area school districts, 72,000 students and 5,000 teachers. FMU works closely with the Pee Dee Education Center to provide resources and services to school districts in the Pee Dee, such as the Pee Dee Mathematics and Science Regional Center which is housed in the facility. Additionally, the Center provides early childhood services to schools and services to low incidence disabled students through Project SHARE. The building also provides space for the FMU School of Education's Center of Excellence. For more information, contact the Pee Dee Education Center at 843-669-3391. The University offers to the community programs and services in continuing education, technical and professional assistance, industrial and economic development, and artistic and cultural enrichment. Many cultural activities (concerts, lectures, plays, art exhibits, planetarium and observatory shows, and film series) are offered free to the public. The University has an outstanding NCAA athletic program with six sports each for men and women. The University's school colors are red, white, and blue, and the mascot is a patriot. Authorized as a state-supported institution of higher learning by the State of South Carolina on June 25, 1969, Francis Marion College was officially established on July 1, 1970. Founded in response to an overwhelming need for a public higher education institution in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, the College became Francis Marion University in 1992. The University was named in honor of a Revolutionary War hero, General Francis Marion, who was nicknamed the "Swamp Fox" for using the South Carolina terrain in effective guerrilla warfare against the British. The University traces its history to 1957 when the University of South Carolina established a "freshman center" at the Florence County Library. In 1961, a permanent campus for USC-Florence was established seven miles east of Florence on land donated by the Wallace family, the current location of FMU. By 1966, enrollment at USC-F had reached 350 and community leaders began a movement to establish a four-year institution to better meet the educational needs of the region. Following a Commission on Higher Education recommendation, Gov. Robert E. McNair signed into law an act creating Francis Marion College, effective July 1, 1970. The College began its first academic term when students from 23 of South Carolina's 46 counties gathered on August 31, 1970 for the first fall convocation and orientation. A total of 907 students subsequently enrolled in programs offered through the College's initial 10 departments. During its first year, the College embarked on a building program which saw occupancy of the James A. Rogers Library in 1971, the Robert E. McNair Science Building in 1972, the Walter Douglas Smith University Center and Founders Hall in 1974, the John K. Cauthen Educational Media Center in 1977, the Peter D. Hyman Fine Arts Center and the Village (student apartments) in 1980, three residence halls and the Edward S. Ervin Dining Hall in 1986, the Thomas C. Stanton Academic Computer Center and the Reames Wing to Rogers Library in 1988, an addition to the J. Howard Stokes Administration Building in 1990, three more residence halls and the Allard A. Allston Housing Office Complex in 1992, the Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Science Facility in 1994, the BB&T/Amelia Wallace Alumni/Faculty House in 2003, the Forest Villas apartment complex in 2004 and 2007, and the Frank B. Lee Nursing Building and The Grille in 2006. In 2007, the FMU Education Foundation purchased the FMU Education and Non-Profit Consortium Building. In 2008, the Gail and Terry Richardson Center for the Child was completed. The institution has had four presidents: Dr. Walter Douglas Smith (1969 to 1983), Dr. Thomas C. Stanton (1983 to 1994), Dr. Lee A. Vickers (1994 to 1999), and Dr. Luther F. Carter (1999 to present). Today, Francis Marion University's academic program consists of a College of Liberal Arts, a School of Business, and a School of Education with more than 40 programs of study, as well as a variety of cooperative and pre-professional programs. The University employs 254 full-time and part-time faculty members and about 312 staff. The University is governed by a 17-member Board of Trustees. The trustees serve four-year terms and are elected by the South Carolina General Assembly with some appointments made by the state's governor. The University is committed to shared governance among the Board of Trustees, the faculty, and the administration. The faculty elects its own officers and committees. The chief administrative officer of the University is the president. The University is organized along the following administrative divisions: Academic Affairs, Administration, Business Affairs, Development, Public and Community Affairs, Student Affairs, University Outreach, and Intercollegiate Athletics.ACADEMIC AFFAIRS – The division of Academic Affairs includes all academic departments within the University, organized into a College of Liberal Arts and two professional schools, the School of Business and the School of Education. Other functions within this division include Enrollment Management (Admissions, Financial Assistance, Orientation, Provisional Programs, and Registrar), the library, and the graduate programs. BUSINESS AFFAIRS – The division of Business Affairs is responsible for the University's business operation, accounting for all revenues and expenditures, maintaining the University's facilities, campus police, dining services, housing, purchasing, and the Patriot Bookstore. ADMINISTRATION – The division of Administration is responsible for human resources, computing services, institutional research, planning, institutional effectiveness, instructional technology, telecommunications and asset management. STUDENT AFFAIRS – The division of Student Affairs is responsible for creating learning opportunities for growth and development of students outside the classroom. The goal is to promote individual student development and leadership through fostering community involvement of students in their intellectual, cultural, spiritual, emotional, and physical development. Services, offices, and programs within the division include Student Activities (fraternities, sororities, student activities, and special events), the Smith University Center, Campus Recreation Services, Career Development, Counseling and Testing, Student Health Services, Residence Life, Multicultural and International Student Affairs, and the Dean of Students. DEVELOPMENT – The Development division is responsible for coordination of University efforts to secure financial support from the private sector and to serve as the receiving point for gifts of dollars, securities, works of art, land, and equipment. This is done primarily through the Francis Marion University Foundation, the Alumni Association, the Annual Fund, and the Swamp Fox Club. Through these organizations, the various avenues of supporting the University are made known to individuals, corporations, and philanthropic foundations. For more information, call 843-661-1295 or visit www.fmarion.edu.
PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS – The Public and Community Affairs Office is responsible for telling the FMU story to its various publics. The office serves as the official communications channel through which the University disseminates information internally and externally. The office has four major functions: (1) external media relations, (2) internal communications, (3) production of official University publications for off-campus audiences, and (4) marketing and communications support for University initiatives. The office distributes news and feature stories about University programs, activities, and people as well as hometown releases about student achievements. A monthly newsletter, The Crier, informs faculty and staff about campus activities. The office is also responsible for campus printing and mail functions. The office strives to maintain positive town and gown relations and works with the corporate community, local chambers of commerce, civic organizations, and state and local government agencies on projects designed for the betterment of the University and the region it serves. The office plans and coordinates special events designed to increase the visibility of the University. UNIVERSITY OUTREACH – The University recognizes that its mission reaches beyond the borders of the campus to the surrounding region and the state. The University touches many facets of community life and serves as a catalyst for development of a regional approach to solving problems in education, economic development, the environment, cultural opportunities, social issues, and the quality of life. Faculty, staff and students have made a significant impact on the region through research, public service, involvement in the arts and literature, and the delivery of government and social services. INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS –The University considers intercollegiate athletics to be an integral part of the educational environment. FMU's goal is to provide an outstanding, well-balanced athletic program with oversight from the faculty. From the training that improves physical fitness of athletes to the teamwork and competition that provides excitement for students and fans, intercollegiate athletics complements academic pursuits when held in proper perspective. The University is a member of the NCAA and the Peach Belt Conference. With two sports programs currently competing as NCAA Division I independents, plans have been discussed to possibly move the entire athletics program from Division II to Division I membership in the next few years. Coaches and student-athletes are held to high standards and are expected to exemplify the same leadership roles on campus and within the community as in athletic competition. Francis Marion University is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award bachelor, master, and specialist level degrees. Upon request, accreditation documents may be viewed in the Office of the Provost during normal business hours. SACS contact information is as follows: Commission of Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033; Phone: 404-679-4500; Fax: 404-679-4558. The University is approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education and is a member of the American Council on Education and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. In addition, several individual academic programs have been recognized by specialized accrediting organizations. The business programs are accredited by the AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The teacher education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education. The chemistry program is approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society. The graduate psychology program is accredited by the Master's in Psychology Accreditation Council (MPAC) and meets the standards of training approved by the Council of Applied Master's Programs in Psychology (CAMPP). Additionally, the specialist degree in school psychology is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The theatre arts program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). The visual arts and art education programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC). Francis Marion University is committed to the continuous evaluation and improvement of each and every component of the University from its educational programs to the administrative and support offices that serve them. The University now has in effect a comprehensive institutional effectiveness program that routinely monitors continued program and office alignment with institutional mission, the identication of salient process outcomes, the measurement of meaningful quality indicators, and the implementation of improvements. The faculty of the University through its Institutional Effectiveness Committee accepts the ongoing evaluation of the institutional effectiveness system as an important component of its responsibilities to the institution. Students are frequently asked to participate in the assessment of the University's services through focus groups, surveys, writing samples, academic inventories, interviews and other appropriate assessment methods. Prospective students, parents, alumni, and constituents in the local and regional business and service communities are also asked for their input. Throughout this process, FMU stresses to its students and other participants that FMU is assessing the quality of its educational programs and support services and not the individual participating in the assessment effort. Reacting to the input from our students and other constituencies by constantly improving the ability of the University to accomplish its mission is the primary purpose of FMU's institutional effectiveness system. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Francis Marion University is dedicated to equal opportunity through affirmative action within the University community. The University's affirmative action program is designed to provide equal consideration of all applicants for faculty and staff positions, for all faculty members in the tenure and promotion process, and for administrators and other staff members seeking promotions and upgrades, as well as for students seeking admission, financial aid, and equality in academic and athletic programs. It is the policy of FMU to recruit, hire, train, and promote employees without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, physical disability, sexual orientation, or age. Furthermore, it is FMU's policy to implement affirmative action to prevent any disparate effects of discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or age. Hiring, training, promotion, pay scales, and benefits practices are based on qualifications, demonstrated ability, and meritorious performance. The University actively recruits students from protected categories and provides opportunities for the growth and development of those students. The University's Affirmative Action Plan includes the monitoring and reporting of compliance with applicable laws and regulations including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Executive Order 11375; Revised Order No. 4; the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Vietnam Era Veteran's Rehabilitation Act of 1974; Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Action; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; and all applicable laws and ordinances of the State of South Carolina. A plan has been developed to help achieve FMU's goal of equal employment opportunity for all. The Technical Services Librarian serves as the University's Affirmative Action Officer and is responsible for ensuring that the University's commitments are met and for reporting progress to the President. The Affirmative Action Officer has the responsibility in accordance with the plan to ascertain that a concerted effort is established and maintained to ensure the achievement of goals and interim benchmarks. For more information, call 843-661-1308. Discriminatory Personal Conduct: The University seeks to promote a fair, humane, and respectful environment for its faculty, staff, and students. To that end, University policy explicitly prohibits sexual harassment, racial harassment, and all other personal conduct which inappropriately asserts that sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or ancestry are relevant to consideration of individual worth or individual performance. The same policies provide procedures for the informal resolution of instances in which such behavior is suspected or alleged. The policies are available for inspection in the Office of Student Affairs, Smith University Center, or the Human Resources Office, Stokes Administration Building. DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND RETALIATION Francis Marion University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliatory complaints regarding harassment. Vice President for Administration Harassment is unwelcome offensive conduct, written, verbal, or physical, that occurs when a reasonable person would find that such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational, work, or living environment. A hostile environment is created when speech and/or actions are so severe, persistent, or pervasive as to limit or deny one’s ability to participate in or benefit from an activity or educational program. The University procedures are intended to protect the rights of both the complainant and the accused, protect privacy, and prevent retaliation. Unwelcome behavior that may be construed as discrimination or harassment should be reported. However, intentionally false allegations will not be tolerated and may result in sanctions. The University is obligated to investigate any reports of discrimination or harassment and will consider action as warranted. No one may be subject to restraint, interference, coercion, reprisal, or retaliation for seeking information about discrimination or harassment, bringing a good faith complaint, or serving as a witness. This policy is not intended to infringe on the rights of members of the Faculty to exercise academic freedom within the framework of the teaching and learning environment of the University.English has been designated the primary language of all faculty members at Francis Marion University since fall 1991. “Primary” language is defined as written and spoken English comparable to that of a native speaker. If the University considers employing on its full-time teaching faculty a candidate whose second language is English, that candidate will:
The English Fluency in Higher Education Act of the South Carolina General Assembly requires that each public institution provide assurance that there exists an adequate procedure for students to report grievances concerning the inability of instructors to be understood in their spoken or written English. At FMU, students should state such a grievance in a scheduled meeting with the chairperson of the department or dean of the school involved. The department chairperson or school dean will then arrange for a meeting among the chairperson or dean, the grieving student(s), and the instructor. It is the responsibility of the chairperson or dean to find a satisfactory resolution to the grievance and to report the resolution to the Provost. FMU is committed to providing an environment conducive to its mission that is safe, healthy and comfortable. Due to well documented health and safety risks related to smoking, and the University's commitment to support the comfort and well-being of its various constituents, FMU is a "smoke-free" campus. Smoking is prohibited on all property owned or controlled by Francis Marion University, the Francis Marion University Foundation, and the Francis Marion University Real Estate Foundation. This prohibition includes all buildings and grounds, as well as within vehicles owned, leased, or rented by the University and its related entities. The complete Francis Marion University Smoking Policy may be found at www.fmarion.edu, and is available upon request from the Office of Human Resources. Francis Marion University is located on a 400-acre tract of land at least a portion of which was originally included in an English royal land grant. The initial 100 acres were a gift from the Walter G. and J.W. Wallace families. The University is situated adjacent to U.S. Highways 301/76, seven miles east of Florence, South Carolina. Campus facilities include: John K. Cauthen Educational Media Center – Named in honor of the late pioneer of educational television in South Carolina, this building was occupied in 1977. The building contains facilities for the production and presentation of audiovisual materials as well as a Resource Area that houses the non-print resources of the University (DVD, VHS movies, CD and audio cassettes, media kits, etc.), support for instructional technology and a public computer lab. It also provides classroom and office space for the mass communication, modern languages, and psychology programs and the School of Education. The James “Ed” Dooley planetarium, the Ashpy Lowrimore Auditorium, and the J.R. Bryan Jackson Innovation Place (a computer lab equipped with teaching and multimedia instructional technology) are also in the building. BB&T/Amelia Wallace Faculty/Alumni Cottage – The Cottage, completed in 2003, is a faculty/alumni facility and guest house. The facility is named in honor of BB&T, a major benefactor, and Amelia Wallace, whose family donated Wallace House and the first 100 acres of the land on which the University is located. Lunch is served daily, Monday through Friday, (unless otherwise announced) for faculty, staff, alumni, and guests. The Edward S. Ervin III Dining Hall – Named in honor of a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of Francis Marion University, this facility was occupied in 1986. It serves students, faculty, and staff of the University as well as community groups. The facility includes a main dining area and three rooms (Palmetto Room, Hendrick Dining Room, and President's Dining Room) available for meeting space and/or catering events. Facilities Management/Campus Police Building– Occupied in 1972, this building provides utility services to other buildings and houses the Campus Police and some offices of the Facilities Management Department. Campus Police provide around-the-clock law enforcement services from this location. FMU Education Foundation and Non-Profit Consortium Building – In 2007, the FMU Education Foundation purchased the former McLeod Health facility and four acres of land situated on Highway 301/76 across from the FMU campus (west of Highway 327). The FMU Foundation/Development Office, Alumni Affairs, and several non-profit organizations on campus have relocated to this building. The University's departments of Counseling and Testing and Student Health continue to utilize space in this facility. Founders Hall – Named in honor of those whose efforts and energies led to the founding of the University, this building was occupied in 1974. The building houses offices and classrooms for many of the University's academic programs including English, geography, history, philosophy and religious studies, political science, sociology, and the School of Business. The Writing Center is also located in this building. Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center - Slated for completion in late 2010, this facility is located in downtown Florence. Its main elements include an approximately 900 seat main auditorium with a fly tower and orchestra shell, a 100 seat flexible black box space, and an academic wing with classrooms, offices, and rehearsal spaces for the Department of Fine Arts Music Industry degree. The surrounding grounds include the 500 seat BB&T Amphitheatre and the Beverly Hazelwood and Starr Ward Garden Courtyard. Primary residents are the Department of Fine Arts, The Florence Symphony Orchestra, and the MasterWorks Choir. A presenting series of theatre, music, and dance events complements the events produced by the primary residents, and spaces are also available for rental. The Grille – Opened in fall 2006, this one-story building is located adjacent to the outdoor swimming pool. The facility provides an additional dining option with indoor and outdoor seating available and convenient access to the outdoor pool and sand volleyball court. Hanson Park – Hanson Park was established in 2005. Named in memory of longtime psychology faculty member and administrator Gary Hanson, this park is located between The Cottage and the President's House and provides a quiet, garden-like atmosphere for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Hewn Timber Cabins – African-Americans were brought to the farm of J. Eli Gregg in 1836 to raise cotton; they also had to construct the farm buildings as well as cabins for their own housing. These two remaining cabins, along with six others, were built beside a sandy road in a cotton field. The road ran parallel to what is now Francis Marion Road, just east of the center of campus, and extended from what is now Stokes Administration Building to the Smith University Center. After emancipation, most of the cabins were moved to scattered locations on the farm and small additions made. The cabins remained occupied until approximately 1953. These remaining two cabins were preserved, moved to their present location on Wallace Woods Road, just off of Highway 301/76, and permanently reside there to honor the heritage and contributions of those who occupied them through their listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Peter D. Hyman Fine Arts Center – Named in honor of a community leader who was instrumental in the founding of the institution and who was the first chairman of the Francis Marion University Board of Trustees, this facility was occupied in November 1980. It houses the John W. Baker Art and Music Wing and includes faculty offices for the Department of Fine Arts, classrooms, and studios for teaching art, art education, theatre, and music. The south wing includes the Adele Kassab Recital Hall and the University Theatre, which has a working stage and the capability for quick changes from a proscenium to a thrust stage. The Hyman Fine Arts Center houses public art galleries which display exhibitions of art in a variety of media by fine arts students as well as local, regional, and national artists. Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Science Facility – Named in honor of Senator Hugh K. Leatherman Sr., for many years a state senator from Florence County and member emeritus of the University's Board of Trustees, this facility was completed in 1994 and provides office, classroom and laboratory space for biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. A greenhouse is located on the rooftop and is used as a laboratory by the Biology Department. Frank B. Lee Nursing Building – Named in honor of the chairman of the board of trustees of the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation, the local philanthropic foundation which largely funded the building's construction, this facility opened for the fall 2006 semester. This two-story facility is located on the north side of the campus pond and houses offices, classrooms, the Elizabeth W. Barnes Clinical Laboratory, a computer lab, three seminar/conference rooms, and the Dr. John M. Thomason Auditorium for the Department of Nursing program. Robert E. McNair Science Building – Named in honor of the former Governor of South Carolina who played a significant role in making the University possible, this structure was occupied in 1972. This building provides classroom, laboratory, and office space for biology, chemistry, and physics. It also houses the McNair Center for Government and History. The auditorium was renovated and renamed for Provost Richard N. Chapman in 2007. Observatory – Built in 1982, this is a two-story, pre-cast concrete structure with a 12-foot rotating dome. Permanently mounted in the dome is a 14-inch reflecting telescope. A 5-inch refractor, 8-inch Newtonian, and 12-inch Dobsonian telescope are also housed at the Observatory. The first floor houses a small classroom-orientation area with a large screen TV for viewing images from an electronic eyepiece. Located on the second-floor observatory deck are six mounts for 8-inch reflecting telescopes. Free public viewing sessions are held periodically to examine the planets, stars, and special astronomical events such as comets and eclipses. Office Services Building – The Office Services Building, located on the east side of Stokes Administration Building, was constructed in the early 1960s. Formerly, the facility served as the canteen/student center for the University of South Carolina at Florence. The building was acquired by Francis Marion University in 1970 and was converted to Office Services soon afterward. The printing and mail services operations are housed in this facility. Outdoor Pool – The Outdoor Pool is located adjacent to The Grille and the Village Apartments. Pee Dee Education Center – The Pee Dee Education Center is a consortium of 19 school districts, Coker College and Francis Marion University, established to provide support for the school districts in the region. President's House –Rebuilt in 1924 after the original 1836 J. Eli Gregg home was destroyed by fire, this antebellum-style house was the home of Joseph Wilds Wallace Sr. and Sallie Gregg Wallace. In 1960, in their memory, the Wallace family donated the house for the founding site of the University of South Carolina at Florence. Then named Wallace Hall, the structure housed classrooms and meeting space for the Florence campus. When Francis Marion University was established in 1970, the house served as a facility for administrative offices. It was renovated as a permanent residence for the president of Francis Marion University in 1983. Gail and Terry Richardson Center for the Child - Named in honor of Gail Ness Richardson, a longtime member of the Board of Trustees of Francis Marion University, and Terry E. Richardson Jr., a Barnwell attorney, this facility was occupied in 2008. The Center houses a child care program, FMU classrooms, a developmental clinic, research facilities and community programs. James A. Rogers Library – Named in honor of the first chair of the State College Board of Trustees, the library opened in December 1971. The structure houses a library collection of 400,000 volumes and 1,100 print journal subscriptions and provides access to over 21,000 e-journals, 27,500 e-books, and a variety of electronic databases including the Internet, Collegiate DISCUS (PASCAL), and DISCUS (Digital Information for South Carolina Users). In addition, through its membership in PASCAL, access is provided to millions of articles and to a statewide virtual library of over 10 million volumes. The library building was expanded in 1988 by adding a wing named in honor of the first director of the library, J. Mitchell Reames. Walter Douglas Smith University Center – Named in honor of the first president of FMU, this facility was occupied in 1974. The complex provides comprehensive facilities for student activities and services including the offices of Student Affairs, Athletics, Dean of Students, Student Life, Campus Recreation Services, Career Development, and Multicultural Student Affairs, and Army ROTC. It also provides space for meetings, social activities, recreation and athletic programs (including the gymnasium, racquetball courts, weight/fitness room, game room, and swimming pool), and the Patriot Bookstore. Thomas C. Stanton Academic Computer Center – Named in honor of the second president of Francis Marion University, this facility was occupied in 1988. The building provides computer classrooms and a 33-station general-use computer laboratory. It also houses a number of offices for the Campus Technology group. J. Howard Stokes Administration Building – Named in honor of one of the prime movers in establishing higher education for the Pee Dee area, this was the first building to be built on the Florence Regional Campus of the University of South Carolina. It was built with funds contributed by citizens from across the Pee Dee area and transferred to the University in 1970; an addition was completed in 1990. It was last renovated in 1992-1995. The building houses administrative offices including the offices of Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management, Accounting/Cashier, Administration, Administrative Manager, Admissions, Alumni Affairs, Business Affairs, Faculty Governance, Financial Assistance, Financial Services, Graduate Programs, Human Resources, Institutional Research, Orientation, Payroll, President, Provost, Public and Community Affairs, Purchasing, Registrar, and Telecommu-nications and Asset Management.. Clifford S. Cormell Field – This field is a lighted baseball complex with a natural grass surface and is named in honor of one whose leadership was a contributing factor to the establishment of the University, John Kassab Courts – Renovated in 2003 with new entranceway, playing surface, fencing and landscaping, this facility consists of eight tennis courts, four of which are lighted. It is named in honor of one whose leadership was a contributing factor to the establishment of the University, Other exterior athletic-recreational facilities include a regulation soccer field, a regulation softball field, two natural grass intramural fields, and an outdoor recreational pool. Allard A. Allston Housing Office Complex – Named in honor of a longtime member of the Board of Trustees of Francis Marion University, this facility was built in 1992 along with one of the two sets of residence halls. The complex provides space for the Office of Housing and Residence Life as well as a study hall and the Tutoring Center. Forest Villas Apartment Complex – The Forest Villas Apartments were constructed in two phases; Phase I was completed and occupied in fall 2004 with completion and occupancy of Phase II following in fall 2007. The apartment buildings are named Allen Hall, Beaty Hall, Cusac Hall, King Hall, and Thigpen Hall. The five three-story buildings consist of 103 four-bedroom apartment units, five two-bedroom units and five one-bedroom units, capable of housing approximately 427 residents. Each apartment includes single bedrooms. Four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments feature shared living, dining and kitchen facilities. Four-bedroom units include two full bathrooms. Apartment units are available with provisions for persons with disabilities. Additional information regarding the apartments can be found under the Housing and Residence Life heading of the Resources and Services section of this catalog. Heyward Community Center – Built in 2004, the Community Center is available to all students. This building consists of a large common lounge for social functions and meetings, a smaller meeting/study area, a fitness room, an enclosed mail pick-up area, and a laundry facility. Residence Halls – The University has two sets of residence halls. Each set consists of three residence halls linked to each other by exterior breezeways. Built in 1986, one set (Marion State, Palmetto, and Swamp Fox) forms a courtyard with the Edward S. Ervin III Dining Hall. The other (Belle Isle, Snow Island, and Ellen C. Watson), built in 1992, forms a courtyard with the Allard A. Allston Housing Office Complex, which was built at the same time. Residence halls provide housing for approximately 700 residents. Each residence hall suite consists of two bedrooms (two students share a bedroom) with an adjoining bath shared by all four residents living in the suite. First-floor residence hall units available with provisions for persons with disabilities. A Resident Assistant is assigned to each residence hall floor to provide support for students. Additional information regarding the residence halls can be found under the Housing and Residence Life heading of the Resources and Services section of this catalog. The Village – The Village Apartments, the first student housing on campus, originally consisted of 10 apartment buildings occupied in the fall of 1980. The Village currently consists of 12 two-story apartment buildings and a one-story apartment and is capable of housing approximately 386 residents. The apartment buildings named Anderson, Baxter, Dalton, Ervin, Ferguson, Gallingten, Henderson, Johnston, Logan, and Moultrie consist of eight apartments designed to accommodate four persons each in individual bedrooms with a common living room, kitchen, and bath. The Ingram and Kidwell apartment buildings consist of 16 apartments designed to accommodate two persons, each sharing bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bath. Half of the single-story Newton building is an apartment for two persons, each sharing bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bath. The other half serves as an Emergency Medical Transport (EMT) station serving the campus and the surrounding area. Additional information regarding the apartments can be found under the Housing and Residence Life heading of the Resources and Services section of this catalog.
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