An initiative to promote excellence in South Carolina's higher education system is presented by the State Commission on Higher Education in two documents. The first is a descriptive summary of rationales and recommendations in six areas. The second document is a report which includes and expands the material of the first document. Twenty-five recommendations are presented in six areas: (1) the preparation, admission, and retention of students; (2) the improvement of instruction; and (3) research for economic development; (4) the strengthening of planning and quality assessment for greater accountability; (5) the effectiveness of the Commission on Higher Education; and (6) the financial investment necessary to maintain excellence. Specific actions include: developing minimal college admissions standards that may gradually be raised; monitoring compliance with the new admissions Developmental Studies Programs; Undergraduate Study; implementing a plan for developmental education; developing a competitive grants program to improve undergraduate education with emphasis on improvement and evaluation of instruction; establishing a professor of the year award; establishing an endowed professorships program at senior public colleges; starting a research incentive fund; establishing an Advisory Council on Planning; and requiring that a system for measuring institutional effectiveness be in place at public institutions. (SW)