MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Preston Residential College is to stimulate expression and exchange of ideas by promoting social and intellectual interaction outside the confines of the traditional classroom setting among our students, faculty associates, and staff.  This result is a vibrant living and learning residential community comprising students from all majors and open to freshmen through seniors.

PRESTON COMMUNITY
Preston College is a unique learning community. We seek to integrate the academic and residential aspects of college life. A live-in faculty member and 40 faculty associates ensure that Preston is an academic community designed to foster a community spirit within Preston

PRESTON FACILITIES

• Spacious lobby with couches and tables for socializing and watching TV
• Buffet-style dining hall open Monday-Thursday 5:15 to 7:45 PM
• Computer lab equipped with 4 iMacs that run both Mac and Windows
• 2 study rooms
• Junior Common Room for club meetings and community gatherings
• 2 laundry rooms (total of 8 washers and dryers)
• Art Room
• 10-minute loading and unloading parking
• Kitchen
• Vending machines
• Front and back porches and gardens
• 125-gallon fish tank

EXPECTATIONS FOR RESIDENTS

• Maintain a 2.5 GPA
  
• Interact with Preston’s Faculty Associates
  
• Purchase a Preston specific meal plan and attend two-thirds of dinners Monday through Thursday in Preston dining hall
  
• Respect the college's residents and facilities
  
• Support planned activities like banquets, teas, open houses and seminars

SECURITY

• Co-ed suite-style residence hall
• Residents must swipe their Carolina Card in order to enter the building
• 24-hour visitation policy for all residents
• All guests must be signed in and escorted by a resident at all times
• 24-hour desk assistant at the Preston front desk for security purposes

TO APPLY
In order to guarantee admission into Preston, you must apply and be accepted via the selection committee.  You can check your housing application on VIP to see if you’ve been accepted.  To be considered for admission you must do the following: 

Submit your general Housing application online at https://vip.sc.edu. By completing the learning community application linked below, Preston Residential College becomes your first housing choice and supercedes other housing preferences previously indicated. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by March 1, 2010 for incoming freshmen applicants. Please mail your completed application to: Preston College • Applications Processing • 1309 Blossom Street • Columbia, SC 29208. It will be forwarded on to the Preston Selection Committee. Even if you are accepted, space is limited, and you may not be placed into the Community initially. If this happens, you will be placed on a waiting list for a space as it becomes available. While on the waiting list, your housing assignment will be made based on preferences noted on the general housing application/contract.

Thank you for your interest in Preston Residential College. For more information please contact University Housing at (803) 777-4283 or housing@sc.edu.