Palmetto Report

(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Winthrop University has joined the growing number of schools to host a varsity esports program. Esports, which is competitive video gaming, has grown in popularity in recent years with international tournaments, millions of viewers worldwide and millions of dollars in prize money. Josh Sides, the head coach of Winthrop’s esports team, appeared on the Palmetto Report to discuss the new program. Sides is also a founding member of an advisory committee for the National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors. As of February, there were roughly 125 colleges in the U.S. that have an esports program, including five schools in South Carolina.

(Rock Hill, S.C.) –- In July of this year, Rock Hill began its free public bus service called My Ride Rock Hill that includes seven all-electric buses that follow four fixed routes around the city. It's the first bus service in the country to be completely electric from the beginning and the buses feature USB charging ports at every seat, free Wi-Fi and screens that run community messages. My Ride Rock Hill currently averages 4,000 riders a week, according to Katie Quinn, communications manager for the city of Rock Hill. Quinn, who was a guest on the Palmetto Report, said the community has reacted positively to the service.

(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Maintaining a positive body positive, especially on a college campus, can be difficult, as negative feelings can lead to anxiety, depression or eating disorders, such as bulimia, anorexia or body dysmorphia. Dr. Gretchen Baldwin, licensed psychologist and clinical coordinator for counseling services at Winthrop University, appeared on the Palmetto Report to discuss the topic of body image. She often works with patients dealing with mental health issues and eating disorders.

(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- How many times a week do you get a notification that a new update is available for a computer, mobile device or app you use Updates are a constant part of our technology driven lives, with new versions constantly adding new features, fixing issues and improving security. Richard Tyner, instructor and lab coordinator at Winthrop University, joined the Palmetto Report to discuss the challenges of keeping software up to date.

 (Rock Hill, S.C.) -- This semester, rumors have circulated among students at Winthrop University that Campus Police have been losing officers to the Rock Hill Police Department, which has led to a decline in services. However, Chief Ken Scoggins, who has worked at Winthrop for 18 years, said there is only a small grain of truth to staffing rumors. “Staffing issues is a problem that is not only affecting Winthrop University, it's affecting all of our colleagues and all of our colleague law enforcement agencies across the nation,” said Scoggins.

(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Winthrop University is one of several NCAA Division I schools throughout the country experiencing a decline in athletic attendance, especially in men’s basketball. The Winthrop Coliseum holds up to 6,100 fans, making it one of the larger arenas in the Big South Conference, however, the university fails to fill the seats on a consistent basis. Winthrop averages 2,121 people per men's basketball game and the Big South as a conference is ranked 29 out of 32 in terms of attendance when compared to the other Division I conferences.  Matt Martin, associate athletic director for external affairs, spoke to the Palmetto Report about Winthrop's efforts to improve attendance.

(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- Winthrop University students in the Department of Design are preparing to present their senior portfolios, which will showcase their work over the past four years. The senior portfolio show has traditionally been the capstone activity for graduating illustration and graphic design students, but this year it will also include interaction design and interior design students.

(Rock Hill, S.C.) — Winthrop University is working to increase the number of students who study abroad and recruit more international students to the school. The move comes after the number of international students at Winthrop has steadily declined in recent years and the number of students who study abroad has remained stagnant. The Winthrop Plan, put forth by President Dan Mahoney, includes a stated goal of increasing diversity by expanding student recruitment internationally.

Many Winthrop University students have expressed concern about campus safety after a female student was held at gunpoint and sexually assaulted outside her apartment building on the edge of campus Feb. 15. Winthrop President Dan Mahony and Wes Wiles, assistant chief of Campus Police, spoke to the Palmetto Report about the assault, student concerns and how the university is responding.