Victory At the College of Charleston

The College of Charleston announced on March 3, 2015 that it will comply with South Carolina state law and include a course on the United States' founding documents as part of the core curriculum.

While USC has consiously chosen to break state law and not require a course on the United States' founding documents, the College of Charleston has taken a different path. On March 3, 2015 Interim Provost, Dr. Brian R. McGee, announced in a letter to the Commission on Higher Education that the College of Charleston will begin taking steps to comply with South Carolina codes §59-29-120 and §59-29-130 by requiring study of America's founding documents: the Constituion, the Declartion of Independence, and the Federalist Papers. Provost McGee wrote:

"Following an examination of the relevant issues, and in consultation with President Glenn McConnell and other College leaders, I am directing that our academic officers and other senior administrators take the necessary steps to bring the College of Charleston into compliance with the terms of Sect. 59-29-120 and Sect 59-29-130. You may assure the members of the legislature that we will achieve full compliance by May 2016."

Wow. A Complete policy vicotory at the College of Charleston. Over 10,000 students are enrolled at the College of Knowledge. This means that approximately 2,500 students will be studying America's founding documents each year. Further, the College of Charleston has already updated its website, posting that study of America's founding documents is required before receiving a certificate of graduation.

"As required by South Carolina statute (Sect. 59-29-120 and Sect. 59-29-130), all degree-seeking students must complete instruction in the essentials of the Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, and the Constitution and achieve satisfactory performance on an accompanying examination. The form and content of the instruction as well as the examination are developed and approved by the faculty of the College of Charleston. This requirement must only be satisfied once at the College of Charleston. Satisfactory performance on the examination is required for graduation regardless of the degree awarded."

This is a development to be thankful for. Let us resolve to finish the task at the rest of the colleges in South Carolina so that all students will have the oppurtunity discover the First Principles that have made this country great.