COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A well-known pageant club at the University of South Carolina has been suspended following multiple violations of the student organization code of conduct.
The Miss Gamecock Pageant Club is barred from operating on campus until March 5, 2027, after a university investigation found evidence of fraud, theft, and financial misconduct, according to the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.
The decision, outlined in a March letter from Director Maureen Derrick, revealed that the club collected donations and member dues through a student’s personal Cash App account. Those funds were then deposited into a personal bank account rather than the organization’s official account.
During interviews with the office, both the current and former club presidents claimed they did not have access to the organization’s finances, which they said were managed off campus by an advisor through a 501(c)(3) nonprofit structure.
The club reportedly promised members professional headshots and scholarships funded through dues and pageant fundraising. However, Derrick’s letter noted that members have yet to receive either.
One student admitted to receiving club money directly into her bank account and spending it for personal use but was unable to confirm how much was taken.
Meanwhile, the acting president of the organization did not respond to repeated inquiries from the university’s Leadership and Service Center, according to Derrick.
As a result, the group was ordered to vacate campus by March 4, 2025. The suspension prohibits the organization from returning to any university property without permission until 2027.
Individual members are not suspended and may continue classes and other campus activities. However, any attempt to engage in actions resembling organizational activity could trigger further disciplinary action.
The Miss Gamecock Pageant Club, a registered student organization, operates independently of the university and is not required to have a university-appointed advisor. It is affiliated with both the Miss South Carolina and Miss America pageants. Under the student organization code, the university can request revocation of an organization’s charter if it is linked to a national or international body, though it remains unclear if that step has been taken.
In addition to the university’s disciplinary action, the University of South Carolina Police Department is conducting its own investigation into the matter.
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