Legislative panel seeks to close South Carolina State U. for two years. Supporters of the historically black college vow to oppose plan they fear would effectively kill the institution.
A legislative panel in South Carolina stunned and angered supporters of South Carolina State University Tuesday by passing a measure that would shut the institution down for two years.
While the measure is far from law, its approval by the House of Representatives subcommittee that oversees state appropriations for higher education sparked protests by supporters of the institution. Talk of a two-year suspension could discourage enrollments and create additional financial problems for the university, which even its supporters acknowledge is facing severe financial challenges. The university has had large deficits and has been losing students for years. As a historically black university, its supporters argue, South Carolina State is an essential part of efforts to provide an education for all citizens in the state, not just those students sought out by larger institutions.
Legislators said that closing South Carolina State for the next two academic years would provide a "clean slate" for the institution. The State reported that the measure would fire all trustees, administrators and faculty members in July.
Students currently enrolled would be offered scholarships to enroll at other public institutions in the state or at other historically black colleges. South Carolina State is the only four-year public historically black institution in the state.
The legislators who are pushing for the two-year closure cited the millions of dollars in deficits (that the state would pay off under the plan), falling enrollment and low graduation rates. According to U.S. Education Department data, 14 percent of students graduate within four years of enrolling, and the six-year rate is 36 percent.
The State quoted State Representative Jim Merrill as saying, "We are looking at a bankrupt institution. No one takes any pleasure in recommending this.”
Legislators called the university shortly after the panel approved the measure. Supporters of the university said that they feared any closure would effectively kill the institution.
President Thomas J. Elzey immediately went to Columbia to see legislators. Upon returning to campus, he gave a speech before students and others holding signs that read "Kill the Bill" (the slogan of social media campaigns that were quickly started on behalf of the university).
"News of this proviso has sent shock waves throughout this university community. It has incited worry and panic among our students, their parents, faculty, staff, alumni and our supporters everywhere," Elzey said. "I want to make one thing clear. S.C. State will not close. I did not come to this university to serve as its president for us to fail, and our board has made the same commitment. This university has had its share of challenges. These problems did not happen overnight and it is unrealistic for anyone to expect that they will go away overnight."
Elzey has been president since 2013, and the problems at the university predate his arrival.
Many of those in South Carolina and elsewhere who are defending South Carolina State are acknowledging that the institution has significant problems. But many argue that solutions shouldn't hurt the current students, who didn't create the problems.
Some supporters of historically black colleges were Tuesday night circulating a Facebook post by Marybeth Gasman, director of the University of Pennsylvania Center for Minority-Serving Institutions. "SCSU has been in turmoil for years now and is carrying significant debt. It has also suffered through some rough leadership (some that has been recycled elsewhere) that has left it in sad shape. It has made many poor decisions and has mishandled finances. But, as we critique, it's important to always keep in mind the context and history," she wrote. She noted that state leaders select trustees and said that "South Carolina has starved the institution for funding since its creation."
Added Gasman: "SCSU is located at the site of the Orangeburg Massacre in a town that remains segregated even today. Still, struggling HBCUs have to do better and have to communicate widely when they do. The stakes are too high. These are Black lives and they matter!"
Read more by
Topics
College Pages
Inside Higher Ed Careers
Browse Faculty Jobs
Browse Administrative Jobs
Browse Executive Administration Jobs
You may also be interested in...
Today’s News from Inside Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed’s Quick Takes
Popular Right Now
Essay about how white male students dominate discussions sets off debate at Dickinson and beyond
Critics and defenders of affirmative action submit their closing briefs
Study links faculty attitudes on intelligence to student success in STEM, with large impact on minor
Alaska governor proposes 41 percent cut to higher ed
Appeals court rules on issue of university keeping rapist away from accuser
Study documents economic gains from liberal arts education
Amherst Goes for Days Without Network Access
Boston College's shift on early admissions raises questions about the practice generally (opinion)
Sign Up / Sign In
With your existing account from...
{* loginWidget *}With a traditional account...
{* #signInForm *} {* signInEmailAddress *} {* currentPassword *} {* /signInForm *}Newsletter enrollment
Existing account found
We have found an existing account for the email address.
Please sign in to update your newsletter preferences.
{* /signInForm *}Newsletter opt-out
Edit your newsletter preferences
Account Info
Sign In
Welcome back, {* welcomeName *}!
{* loginWidget *}Sign In
Welcome Back
Account Deactivated
Your account has been deactivated.
Account Reactivation Failed
Sorry, we could not verify that email address.
Email Verification Required
You must verify your email address before signing in. Check your email for your verification email, or enter your email address in the form below to resend the email.
{* #resendVerificationForm *} {* signInEmailAddress *}Almost Done
Please confirm the information below before signing in.
{* #socialRegistrationForm *} {* firstName *} {* lastName *} {* displayName *} {* emailAddress *} {* optInIHE *} {* optIn3rdParty *} {* agreeToTerms *}Almost Done
Please confirm the information below before signing in. Already have an account? Sign In.
{* #registrationForm *} {* firstName *} {* lastName *} {* displayName *} {* emailAddress *} {* newPassword *} {* newPasswordConfirm *} {* optInIHE *} {* optIn3rdParty *} {* agreeToTerms *}Thank You for Registering
We have sent a confirmation email to {* emailAddressData *}. Please check your email and click on the link to verify your email address.
Create New Password
We'll send you a link to create a new password.
{* #forgotPasswordForm *} {* signInEmailAddress *}Create New Password
We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.
Create New Password
This email address was registered with a social account. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password, which can be used in addition to your linked social providers.
{| current_emailAddress |}
{| foundExistingAccountText |} {| current_emailAddress |}.
{| existing_displayName |} - {| existing_provider |} : {| existing_siteName |} {| existing_createdDate |}
{| existing_provider_emailAddress |}
Sign In to Complete Account Merge
Resend Verification Email
Sorry, we could not verify that email address. Enter your email below, and we'll send you another email.
{* #resendVerificationForm *} {* signInEmailAddress *}Change Password
Create New Password
We didn't recognize that password reset code. Enter your email below, and we'll send you another email.
{* #resetPasswordForm *} {* signInEmailAddress *}Create New Password
We've sent you an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.
Edit Your Account
Profile Photo
Linked Accounts
Link Your Accounts
This allows you to sign in to your account using that provider in the future.
Password
Deactivate Account
Change Password
Deactivate Your Account
Are you sure you want to deactivate your account? You will no longer have access to your profile.
{* deactivateAccountForm *} {* /deactivateAccountForm *}
Expand commentsHide comments — Join the conversation!