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THE PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE
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Your Guide to Columbia and Orientation Check-In
Last Modified: May 25, 2021 8:54 AM
WHAT’S INSIDE? 1
Welcome to Columbia
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Where to Stay and Eat
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Columbia Area Discounts
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Flying or Driving?
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Map
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Getting to Orientation
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Orientation Check-In
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COVID-19 Guidelines
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What to Expect
WELCOME TO COLUMBIA! On behalf of the Office of New Student Orientation, we would like to be one of the first to warmly welcome you to the University of South Carolina! We are so excited that you have decided to join our Gamecock community and to become part of our rich history. Now that you have chosen South Carolina, you will get to take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that the city of Columbia has to offer. The capital city and university environment meet to create a diverse and unique area bursting with a world of experiences at your fingertips—all topped with some of our classic Southern hospitality! Located in the heart of the state and the southeast, Columbia has a deep and storied past for you to learn more about and explore: step back in time and visit our National Historic Landmarks such as the Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens or the Woodrow Wilson House. You can also visit our South Carolina State Museum, the largest and most comprehensive museum in the Southeast. You will find that Columbia has a little something for everyone: for foodies, you will find an expansive array of dining options in the Vista, a vibrant neighborhood right along the Congaree River. You can also shop our one-ofa-kind shops and boutiques in our lively Downtown and Five Points areas, located conveniently next to campus. Additionally, Columbia’s central location means that you can easily access many of the cities and attractions that the Southeast has to offer, from our wonderful beaches to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains or to many of our neighboring cities like Charlotte, Charleston or even Atlanta. We hope you take the time to get to know our wonderful city and take advantage of all the Southern comfort we have to offer!
WHAT’S INSIDE? This Pre-Arrival Guide is designed to outline all the Columbia area has to offer so that you can make the most out of your trip to the University of South Carolina and get to know the city that each new student will call their home-away-from-home! With this guide, we have compiled a list of some of the Office of New Student Orientation’s favorite opportunities for lodging, dining, shopping and entertainment in the Columbia community as well as where to find them. In addition, we have included information on New Student Orientation check-in, parking and COVID-19 guidelines for you to review as you prepare for your in-person session. We hope that you will take advantage of these tried-and-true experiences to make your time with us the best that it can be.
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WHERE TO STAY AND EAT We cannot wait to have you stay here in Columbia, but we also understand that planning your trip can be full of many unknowns. Our Office wants to help you plan out your trip before you arrive by providing recommendations for lodging and dining. Below we have included locally-owned options in close proximity to campus.
Hotel Trundle 1224 Taylor Street Columbia, SC 29201 www.hoteltrundle.com Stay at Hotel Trundle, Columbia’s award-winning boutique hotel. Save 15% on your stay with promo code BYEBYEKIDDO. Visit www.hoteltrundle.com to book!
Graduate Columbia 1619 Pendleton Street Columbia, SC 29201 www.graduatehotels.com/Columbia In the heart of downtown Columbia on the scenic campus of the University of South Carolina, Graduate Columbia blends historic grandeur with pops of prep.
East Bay Deli 1426 Main Street Columbia, SC 29201 https://www.eastbaydeli.com East Bay Deli is the best deli to feed your belly! We use the best ingredients to make the classics. We also accept Carolina Ca$h!
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COLUMBIA AREA DISCOUNTS We have partnered with the University of South Carolina Visitor’s Center to provide you discounts to some Columbia staples! Upon presenting this page at any of the businesses listed below, you will receive 10% off of your purchase. Some exclusions apply - see below. Please see specific business for additional details. Offer valid through September 1, 2021.
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Burger Tavern 77
2631 Devine St. | burgertavern77.com
Cupcake DownSouth
PDQ
4456 Devine St. | eatpdq.com
Republic Biergarten and Kitchen
1213 Lincoln St. | freshcupcakes.com
931 Senate St. | republicbiergarten.com
Di Pratos Delicatessen
Village Idiot Pizza*
342 Pickens St. | dipratos.com
2009 Devine St. | villageidiotpizza.com
East Bay Deli
Vista Union
1426 Main St. | eastbaydeli.com
700 Gervais St. | vistaunion.com
Home Team BBQ
Za’s on Devine
700 Harden St. | hometeambbq.com
SHOP
Barefoot Campus Outfitters*
2930 Devine St. | zasbrickovenpizza.com
Sid & Nancy*
700 Lincoln St. | barefootcampusoutfitters.com
733 Saluda Ave. | shopsidnancy.com
Revente Luxury Resale*
Todd and Moore Sporting Goods
737 Saluda Ave. | shoprevente.com
RELAX Barre3*
3006 Devine St. | barre3.com
Carolina Care Cube
620 Huger St. | shoptoddandmoore.com
Soda City Lashes
3924 Forest Dr. | sodacitylashes.com
Supercuts
Online orders only | carolinacarecube.com
736 Harden St. | supercuts.com
FIT Columbia
The Nail Barre*
2121 College St. | fitcolumbia.com
3006 Devine St. | thenailbarre.com
*Barefoot Campus Outfitter - 20% off entire purchase (some exclusions apply) | *Barre3 - free 2-week trial (also valid at 2900 Dreher Shoals Rd. location) | *Jolie Nail and Spa - discount excludes gift certificates | *Revente Luxury Resale - 10% off all regular priced items | *Sid & Nancy - 10% off all regular priced items | *The Nail Barre - 20% off one service (also valid at 2900 Dreher Shoals Rd. location) | *Village Idiot Pizza - also valid at 612 Whaley St. and 4517 Forest Dr. locations
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FLYING OR DRIVING?
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Columbia is in the heart of South Carolina, making it easily accessible from anywhere around the country. Columbia’s central location makes driving from all across the Southeast a breeze. If you are coming to visit from farther away, flying into one of our local airports is a convenient and cost-effective ways to travel to the city of Columbia.
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Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
2 Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
3 Columbia Charlotte Shuttle
www.columbiacharlotteshuttle.com Columbia Charlotte Shuttle is the leading provider of transportation between UofSC and the Charlotte Airport. Be sure to ask about our 10-Pack discount.
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2 Campus Courtyard Lofts Steps from UofSC, these five-star Airbnb lofts provide a cozy alternative to hotels. Our restored 1920s studios offer free parking, snacks and charming character! ST ON http://www.CampusCourtyardLofts.com PT
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Columbia Charlotte Shuttle Columbia Charlotte Shuttle provides service between UofSC and the Charlotte Airport. www.columbiacharlotteshuttle.com
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** Disclaimer: Please note that some of these places are not accessible without transportation. For food delivery consider using Bite Squad, Door Dash, or GrubHub.
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Hotel Trundle Hotel Trundle is Main Street’s beloved award-winning, boutique hotel. 1224 Taylor Street 321SC 29201 Columbia, www.hoteltrundle.com
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Easy Bay Deli SisT the best deli to feed your belly! We East Bay Deli NG I T E best ingredients to make the classics. We also useEthe M accept Carolina Ca$h! 1426 Main Street Columbia, SC 29201 https://www.eastbaydeli.com Graduate Columbia Stay steps from campus at Graduate Columbia, a boutique hotel tailored to SC. 1619 Pendleton Street Columbia, SC 29201 www.graduatecolumbia.com
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Cupcake DownSouth 1213 Lincoln Street 378 Columbia, SC 29201 www.freshcupcakes.com
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GETTING TO ORIENTATION
During your two-day New Student Orientation session, we will provide parking. This was included in your Orientation registration fee and you will not have to pay upon your arrival. You will see garnet parking signs throughout our campus to help guide you to where parking will be! Please note that parking will be provided for both days of your session.
Day One: ASSEMBLY ST
On day one, parking will be available in the Gadsden Street/Devine Street Lot. This is near the Carolina Coliseum, the Orientation morning check-in location. Orientation Leaders will be there to greet you upon your arrival! You can view directions by visiting the parking section of the UofSC campus map (sc.edu/map). Once you access the map, using the left-hand menu, select “Parking.” From there select “Reserved,” and scroll until you see Gadsden/Devine Lot. When you select this location you will see a pop-up menu with the option to get directions.
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Day Two: If you and your family plan to attend optional on-campus Orientation events on day two, parking will be available in the Bull Street Parking Garage (Gate 2). This is near the Russell House University Union, the centralSTlocation GERVAIS GERVAIS ST for most of the day two activities. We recommend placing the following address into your GPS: 611 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29208. PENDLETON ST
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For your reference, we have included maps highlighting both parking options below. Parking options are denoted by the letter “P.” The UofSC campus map is also a great resource for getting directions. PENDLETON ST
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DAY ONE: GADSDEN STREET/DEVINE STREET LOT
DAY TWO: BULL STREET PARKING GARAGE (GATE 2) PICKESN ST
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ORIENTATION CHECK-IN GERVAIS ST
GERVAIS Check-in on day one will begin at 8:30 ST a.m. in the Carolina Coliseum. During this time you will be greeted by your wonderful Orientation leaders, grab schedules and have an opportunity to enjoy a continental breakfast to get you fueled for the day ahead! Orientation Leaders and signage will guide you from the Gadsden Street/Devine Street parking lot to the check-in location. PENDLETON ST
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COVID-19 SAFETY On behalf of the University of South Carolina, we are so excited that you will be joining us for New Student Orientation. Our top priority is creating a safe and helpful Orientation experience as you begin your transition into the Gamecock family. We know that COVID-19 vaccines, face coverings and social distancing dramatically reduce the risk of transmission. In fact, research shows that a college campus is one of the safest places due to the successful implementation of these policies. While we have many successful mitigation strategies in place on our campus, there is always risk involved in participating in any group activity. We encourage you to exercise caution and your best judgement while attending Orientation.
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WHAT TO EXPECT In-Person Orientation will span over two days. Day one will consist of fully in-person programming. You should plan to be available from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Day two will consist of online programming and offer optional on-campus activities in Columbia. You should plan to be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During day two, students who join us for in-person activities will be able to receive in-person assistance from Orientation Leaders, campus tours and participate in office open houses. For in-person Orientations, overnight housing will not be required or provided by the Office of New Student Orientation. Please note that our office is working to create a safe and fun environment in consideration of COVID-19.
IN-PERSON ORIENTATION: SAMPLE SCHEDULE *Day One: 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Morning: • Program Welcome • University Information Sessions • Student Small Group #1
Afternoon: • Academic College Visit • Campus Resource Information Sessions • Student Small Group #2
Evening: • Orientation LIVE! Skits • Student Small Group #3
Day Two: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Required Programming (Virtual): • • • •
Academic Advising Information Sessions Academic Advising Appointment Class Registration Special Population Information Sessions
On-Campus Programming (In-Person): • Orientation Leader Class Registration Support • Office Open Houses • City and Campus Tours *On day one, continental breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served and covered by the Orientation fee paid at registration.
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STAYING FOR DAY TWO You may have noticed that required programming for day two of New Student Orientation is fully virtual. However there are still some optional in-person activities on this day for you to take part in if you are still in Columbia. If you are able, we highly encourage you to stick around on day two for these in-person activities that will make the most out of your Orientation experience. Activities include: • Orientation Leader support during advising and registration. After you meet with an advisor, our Orientation Leaders will be on-site to help you navigate the course registration process. • CarolinaCard pick-up. You will have the opportunity to pick up your CarolinaCard prior to moving into your residence hall. • Office open houses. A variety of on-campus offices will be hosting open houses for you and your guests to learn more about how they can help be a part of your South Carolina experience. • Campus tours. For many of you, this might be the first time you visit UofSC. Our office will provide opportunities for you to explore various areas of campus. • Exploring Columbia. Our campus is located in the heart of Columbia, the state’s capital city. If you are staying for day two, you and your guests will have time to discover local restaurants and shops, explore historic landmarks such as the South Carolina State House and experience the community you will soon call home. Day two of New Student Orientation is a great opportunity to further connect with fellow Gamecocks, familiarize yourself with campus and get any last minute questions answered prior to your Move-In in the fall. We hope you stick around!
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STAY CONNECTED Once again, welcome to the University of South Carolina! Our goal is to make the preparation and transition to college as smooth as possible. If you have questions at any time, we encourage you to contact the Office of New Student Orientation! We also recommend frequently checking your email and our website for updates regarding your Orientation session. Until then, go Gamecocks!
New Student Orientation
Russell House University Union 1400 Greene Street, Suite 345 Columbia, SC 29208 sc.edu/orientation 803-777-2780 orientation@sc.edu @UofSCorientation @UofSC_ONSO @UofSC_ONSO
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