A highly visible student organization at the University of South Carolina has been suspended after serious allegations involving fraud, theft, and financial mismanagement. The **Miss Gamecock Pageant Club**, once considered a prestigious student-run pageant group, has been banned from operating on campus until **March 5, 2027**, according to findings released by the **Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity**.
The disciplinary action stems from a formal investigation that revealed multiple violations of the university’s student organization code of conduct. In a letter dated March of this year, **Maureen Derrick**, Director of the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, outlined the disturbing findings that led to the club’s suspension.
**Personal Accounts Misused for Club Funds**
The investigation revealed that the organization was collecting member dues and donations through a **student’s personal Cash App account**. These funds were then deposited into that student’s **private bank account**, rather than the official account of the Miss Gamecock Pageant Club. This practice not only violated financial protocols but also raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
Despite promises to use collected funds for pageant-related expenses — such as **professional headshots** and **scholarship awards** — many of the club’s participants reported that they never received the services or benefits they were promised.
One member, when questioned during the investigation, admitted to having received money into her personal bank account and using some of it for personal expenses. However, she was unable to specify the amount spent. This lack of clarity and accountability became one of the major red flags during the inquiry.
**Confusion Over Financial Responsibility**
When interviewed, both the **current and former club presidents** told the Office of Student Conduct that they had no access to the club’s official financial accounts. Instead, they claimed that an **off-campus advisor**, who was managing the organization as a **501(c)(3) nonprofit**, had taken control of the finances. However, this explanation did little to clarify the situation, especially as club members continued to report unfulfilled promises and questionable use of funds.
To make matters worse, the **acting president** of the organization reportedly failed to respond to multiple outreach attempts from the university’s **Leadership and Service Center**, further deepening concerns about leadership accountability within the organization.
**Severe Sanctions Imposed**
As a result of the investigation, the Miss Gamecock Pageant Club has been ordered to **vacate university property by March 4, 2025**. The club will not be allowed to operate, meet, or host events on campus or any other university-owned property until the **end of the suspension period in 2027** — and only with express permission from the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.
While the **club itself is suspended**, **individual members** are not facing disciplinary action and may continue attending classes and accessing university facilities. However, any actions perceived as **continuing organizational activity** could result in further penalties.
**No Official University Affiliation**
It’s worth noting that the Miss Gamecock Pageant Club, though registered as a student organization, **does not represent the university officially** and does not carry out any sanctioned university functions. As per university policy, it was also not required to have a university-appointed advisor.
This case highlights the importance of financial integrity and oversight within student organizations and serves as a cautionary tale for other campus groups.