USC turns to developers for help with growth

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The University of South Carolina plans to build off-campus-style housing and classroom space with the help of developers, a move that school officials hope will not add to its debt load.

The State newspaper reported (bit.ly/P7QWm6) that the new development would occur near Colonial Life Arena, continuing USC’s shift westward toward the Congaree River.

The school’s debt load is more than $500 million.

The popularity of a dozen off-campus housing complexes has caused USC to try to attract some of the 22,000 students who now live elsewhere.

USC chief financial officer Ed Walton said developers could build a dorm with more than 500 beds and a building with at least 60,000-square-feet of classroom space by the time school starts in fall 2014.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com