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SCSU trustees resign during presidential search
By Scott Miller
Staff Writer
Two trustees at South Carolina State University have resigned in disgust over the firing of former President Andrew Hugine.
The move creates two board vacancies in the middle of the university’s search for a new leader, but board Chairman Maurice Washington said the resignations will not hinder the ability to hire a new president by July 1.
Retired Col. John Bowden and Charles Williams, who had served longer than any current trustee, filed their letters of resignation in January.
“It’s just contradictory to everything that’s going on at the university. We’ve got record enrollment, outstanding construction of facilities,” said Williams, who served on the board since 1986.
He called the board’s decision to fire Hugine in December another example of members inappropriately trying to micromanage the university.
“That school has struggled and struggled and struggled, and then you start to turn the corner and things are looking good, and you fire the president on the damn telephone. That’s just tacky to begin with,” Williams said, referring to the vote that took place via conference call.
Bowden, who served on the board since 2004, declined comment, referring questions regarding his decision to his resignation letter.
The Charleston Regional Business Journal filed a request for the two letters under the Freedom of Information Act but hadn’t received a response by press time.
Loss of trust
With two trustees absent and one abstaining, trustees voted 7-3 not to renew Hugine’s contract in December, citing a performance evaluation that charged the president with losing the trust of his staff and failing to advance academic performance, among other criticisms.
Bowden, Williams and board Vice Chairman Jonathan Pinson voted against Hugine’s dismissal.
Board Chairman Washington, meanwhile, has defended the decision, saying said the board lost confidence in Hugine’s ability to lead and to improve academics at the university.
Both Bowden and Williams were appointed by the state Legislature as “at large” members representing the state.
Bowden’s term was set to expire this year, so his replacement will serve a full four-year term.
Williams’ term doesn’t expire until 2010, so his replacement will serve two years.
Candidates interested in serving on the board must submit applications by Jan. 30. The General Assembly likely would elect the two trustees in April, Washington said.
The search for a new president, meanwhile, will proceed as planned and the vacancies
should have no impact on the search, Washington said.
A presidential search committee will present finalists for the position to the board in May, after the General Assembly appoints two new trustees, he said.
Scott Miller is a staff writer for the Business Journal. E-mail him at smiller@setcommedia.com.
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