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Hugine lost trust of SCSU board, evaluation shows
By Scott Miller
Staff Writer
Andrew Hugine dug South Carolina State University out of a $4 million deficit and steered the institution through several construction projects, but it wasn’t enough to save his job as president.
In ousting Hugine in December, the board of trustees cited a performance evaluation charging him with the inability to boost recruitment, maintain the trust of his cabinet or even proactively deal with campus security concerns, according to a copy of the document obtained by the Charleston Regional Business Journal under a Freedom of Information Act request.
Motives of the board’s decision are now in question, with state lawmakers
considering a financial audit of the board and a measure this spring that effectively could remove trustees.
“The motive is clear. The (majority of the) governing body has lost confidence in the president’s ability to advance the university,” said Board Chairman Maurice Washington.
Hugine could not be reached for comment.
Washington credited board policy for the university’s financial turnaround, rather than Hugine’s leadership. Hugine’s inability to advance academics carried more weight than his involvement in the management of university finances or construction projects, Washington said.
“The heart and soul of any institution of higher education is teaching and learning. Yes, we put a lot of emphasis on the academic side,” he said. “To have three consecutive years without a permanent vice president of academic affairs is unacceptable.”
So with two trustees absent and one abstaining, the board in December voted 7-3 to cut Hugine loose, before his current $220,000 annual contract expires this June. He continues to be paid.
“I thought we were headed in the right direction (under Hugine),” said board Vice Chairman Jonathan Pinson, who voted against Hugine’s removal. “We continue to try to get a cohesive game plan to move the university forward and removing the president at this time didn’t seem to do the university justice. Of course there’s always room for improvement (at any university), but that’s no reason to remove the president.”
Leonard McIntyre, dean of the College of Education, Humanities and Social Services, is currently acting as interim president, while a search committee looks for Hugine’s replacement.
Hugine’s review
The board’s performance evaluation charges Hugine with failing to perform an in-depth academic audit of the university, failing to pull the institution out of a state of “flux and instability” and failing to strengthen recruitment efforts.
The report also claims Hugine acted on some issues, like campus security, only after board members intervened.
Among specific criticisms in the evaluation the board attributed to Hugine’s leadership:
• Instability in the president’s cabinet. Several vice presidents at the university are serving in the interim.
• Questionable selection of the individual proposed for the vice president of academic affairs position and the selection process.
• Personal and trust issues with cabinet members, affecting Hugine’s ability to objectively manage the university.
• Poor academic performance of student athletes.
• High turnover in nursing program.
• Low passing rates in the teacher education program.
• Reactive responses to campus security issues, rather than proactive.
• No significant money has been raised by the president.
• The assistant vice president of development has raised no money nor developed a plan.
• There is no capital campaign in progress nor has one been approved.
Trustees did credit Hugine for strengthening university finances and overseeing enhancements at several buildings, including the MLK Auditorium, Nance Hall and the Student Union Building.
During Hugine’s four-year tenure, a $4 million budget shortfall became a $2 million surplus. The university’s fiscal 2007-’08 budget is $119 million.
Trustees also credited Hugine with establishing research and economic development partnerships with Clemson University, the S.C. State Ports Authority, the Army Research Laboratory, several private companies and other groups.
Independent audit
In voting not to renew Hugine’s contract, the board also cited an academic review of the university conducted by the Education Commission of the States. Though the document never mentions Hugine’s leadership specifically, it is critical of the university’s poor freshmen retention rates.
The Education Commission, meanwhile, stated publicly that its report did not comment specifically on Hugine or the effectiveness of the university’s administration.
“The Education Commission of the States had not made any recommendation related to the ouster of Hugine,” the commission said in a statement released to media. “No member of leadership at the Education Commission of the States was aware of any pending action by the SCSU Board of Trustees. ECS does not conduct individual performance reviews outside
of the organization.”
Among issues cited in the report:
• Enrollment increases have resulted in a higher number of first-time freshmen who are not optimally prepared for college coursework.
• First-time freshman retention rates have declined as enrollment has increased.
• 19 of 53 programs reviewed did not meet state admission or completion standards from fall 2000 to fall 2005.
• The university is a net exporter of transfer students.
The full report is available at www.ecs.org. It covers the years 2000 through 2005. Hugine became president in 2003.
Reaction to firing
Despite either report, university alumni are upset at the board’s decision, said alumnus and state Rep. Jerry Govan, D-Orangeburg.
“People felt the university was on the right track,” Govan said, noting the university is searching for its fifth president in 20 years.
Govan filed legislation that would allow alumni to elect board members. While Govan said his plan doesn’t “dissolve” the 13-member board, seats could be re-elected July 1.
“This is not a retaliation effort. It’s a response (to Hugine’s firing), but it’s not in retaliation. If we wanted to be vindictive, we could very easily dissolve the board,” Govan said.
“This is just to address some of the problems with the board of trustees that have been going on for years now. Historically, there have been concerns about the board micromanaging the university.”
Washington said the board is simply ensuring its policies were carried out.
“I don’t see that as micromanagement,” he said. “I see that as contributing in a meaningful way to the advancement of the university.”
Twelve trustees of the university’s board are appointed by the General Assembly, with the governor nominating the other. Under Govan’s proposal, the university’s national alumni association would appoint six members, the General Assembly would appoint six and the governor one.
“That’s a little unorthodox,” said Rita Allison, spokeswoman for the S.C. Higher Education Commission, saying trustees at the other state institutions are elected by the General Assembly and the governor.
Clemson University is the exception, she said, with six trustees elected by the state Legislature and seven serving lifetime terms as provided by the will of Thomas Green Clemson. Alumni at The Citadel elect three members of its 11-member Board of Visitors.
Giving S.C. State alumni representation, Govan said, increases board accountability.
Washington, also an alumnus, said nine of 13 trustees are S.C. State alumni.
“I’m not at all against the bill, but I have questions about the motive behind it,” he said. “We have to be allowed to do our job independently without external pressure (from politicians).”
In addition to Govan’s efforts, state Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, wants to conduct a financial audit of the board, suspecting trustees allegedly received kickbacks from university construction projects. No wrongdoing is confirmed, and Ford needs five signatures from lawmakers to launch the audit.
“The assertion that Sen. Ford has charged against this board is absurd,” Washington said, noting the board contracted an independent agency to conduct a financial audit.
Pinson also doubted any conflict of interest by board members.
“I think there’s a great group of people on that board,” he said. “It would be a shock to me if anyone was receiving kickbacks.”
Scott Miller is a staff writer for the Business Journal. E-mail him at smiller@setcommedia.com.
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