Report on the Inter-Institutional Affiliation Between Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

Introduction: A Partnership for Sustainable Development

Clemson University’s Board of Trustees has approved an inter-institutional affiliation agreement with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to enhance health services on the Clemson campus. This collaboration directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The partnership facilitates the construction of a new medical facility, replacing the existing Redfern Health Center, to serve the university community.

Project Overview and Infrastructure Development

The agreement includes a 30-year ground lease with the Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA) for the development of a new 90,000-square-foot medical office building. This project represents a significant investment in modern infrastructure, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

• Facility Purpose: To provide a state-of-the-art health and wellness experience focused on innovation and holistic well-being for students and the campus community.
• Services: The center will offer modernized, integrated services supporting physical, mental, and preventative health, directly addressing the targets of SDG 3.
• Timeline: Construction is scheduled to commence in late 2025.

Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This initiative is strategically aligned with global sustainability objectives, advancing education, health, and collaborative efforts across South Carolina.

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The core mission of the new facility is to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the Clemson community. By expanding access to high-quality, integrated health services, the partnership aims to improve health outcomes and foster a thriving academic environment.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education: The collaboration serves to train future healthcare leaders. Furthermore, Clemson University plans to lease academic space within the new building for teaching and research, reinforcing the link between health services and educational advancement.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project is a model of multi-stakeholder collaboration, involving Clemson University, MUSC, and MUHA. This partnership leverages the respective strengths of an academic health system and a public research university to address complex health challenges, embodying the spirit of SDG 17.

Affiliation Agreement Details

The formal agreement outlines the operational and financial framework for this long-term partnership.

Key Terms of the Agreement:

• A formal partnership is established between Clemson, MUSC, and MUHA for healthcare delivery.
• The initial operating term is set for seven years, with options for five-year renewals.
• Clemson University will maintain its current level of financial support for Student Health Services for the first five years of operation.
• Following the initial five-year period, service fees will be negotiated by both parties.
• Clemson will lease academic space in the building for teaching and research purposes, coterminous with the 30-year ground lease, further integrating this project with SDG 4.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is the primary goal addressed. The article’s central theme is the establishment of a new health facility to “expand access to high-quality health services,” focusing on “physical, mental and preventative health” and “holistic well-being” for the Clemson community.
   • SDG 4: Quality Education: The project is a collaboration between two major educational institutions, Clemson University and MUSC. The article states the new facility will include “health-related academic space, supporting teaching, research and programmatic needs” and contributes to the mission of “training future health care leaders.”
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article details the construction of significant new infrastructure: a “new 90,000-square-foot medical office building.” It also emphasizes “innovation” and “innovative approaches to holistic care” as key features of the new health and wellness experience.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The entire initiative is founded on a multi-stakeholder partnership. The article explicitly highlights the “inter-institutional affiliation agreement between Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)” and mentions other collaborators like “MUHA, Prisma and numerous other partners.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 3.8 (Achieve universal health coverage): The project’s main goal is to “expand access to high-quality health services” and provide “accessible, high-quality health services for students and employees,” which directly aligns with achieving health coverage for the campus community.
   • Target 3.4 (Promote mental health and well-being): The new facility is designed to offer “modernized, integrated services that support physical, mental and preventative health” and create a “health and wellness experience focused on innovation and holistic well-being.”
   • Target 4.3 (Ensure equal access to quality tertiary education): The collaboration enhances the student experience at Clemson, described as the “No. 1 student experience in the country.” The project supports the educational environment by investing in student well-being, which is crucial for quality tertiary education.
   • Target 9.1 (Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure): The article describes the plan to “design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a new 90,000-square-foot medical office building.” This is a direct investment in quality infrastructure to support human well-being.
   • Target 17.17 (Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships): The project is a clear example of this target in action, described as a “formal partnership between Clemson, MUSC and MUHA” with a detailed “inter-institutional affiliation agreement” that includes a “30-year ground lease” and financial commitments.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • For Target 3.8: An indicator is the establishment and operation of the new health facility itself, which expands the coverage of essential health services. The number of students and employees served by the new center would be a direct measure.
   • For Target 9.1: A direct indicator is the size of the new infrastructure, specified as a “90,000-square-foot medical office building.” The financial investment, including the “30-year ground lease” and Clemson’s five-year financial support, also serves as an indicator of commitment to building this infrastructure.
   • For Target 4.3: An implied indicator is the enhancement of the student experience and the provision of new academic facilities. The article mentions that “Clemson plans to lease health-related academic space in the building, supporting teaching, research and programmatic needs,” the size and utilization of which can be measured.
   • For Target 17.17: The existence of the “inter-institutional affiliation agreement” is a key indicator. The terms of this partnership, such as the “initial operating term of seven years with five-year renewal options” and the 30-year ground lease, are quantifiable indicators of a long-term, structured partnership.

SDG Analysis Summary Table

Source: news.clemson.edu