South Carolina State University President Dr. Andrew Hugine listens to the school’s board pass a motion to not renew his contract during a special called meeting held by teleconference Tuesday evening. (CHRISTOPHER HUFF/T&D)



Ending weeks of speculation and rumors, the South Carolina State University Board of Trustees voted to oust President Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr. during a Tuesday afternoon telephone conference call.

After about 45 minutes in closed, executive session, the board voted 7-3 not to renew the contract of its ninth president, which expires in June 2008. Acting on the motion of trustee Lumus Byrd, the board also agreed to immediately place Hugine on administrative leave, with his last day scheduled to be Jan. 4, 2008.

Trustees said they will begin a search for an interim president immediately, and launch a national search for a new president.

Byrd said Hugine's contract should not be renewed because of his performance evaluation and an academic review of the university conducted by the Education Commission of the States.

Hugine sat by a speakerphone during the meeting, not commenting while his future was discussed. He did not comment following the vote.

Trustee Col. John Bowden said that he would tender his resignation on that same day if the board accepted Byrd's motion.

"I don't know how we got where we got, but we're here. I'm not going to be a part of this lynching. We don't need white people to lynch us anymore, we lynch each other," Bowden said before the board voted on the measure.

Board Vice Chairman Jonathan Pinson and trustees Charles Williams and Bowden voted against the motion not to renew Hugine's contract.

As board members were dialing into the conference call, Williams asked what the meeting was about.

"Does anybody know why we are having this called meeting?" he said.

Williams then asked if the president had announced his resignation yet. An unide.jpgied board member said Hugine was supposed to do so by Saturday, Dec. 15.

After the meeting, Williams said the board previously agreed Hugine was supposed to announce his resignation by Dec. 15. In return, the board was going to allow Hugine to stay on for the duration of his contract, Williams said. Williams said he believes the agreement was in writing.

He said he left last Thursday's board of trustees meeting with the understanding that the board was going to stand by the agreement.

"Now the chairman and others have decided they weren't going to abide by the agreement. The board welched on him," Williams said.

Board Chairman Maurice Washington and Williams exchanged words before the vote was taken.

Williams took exception to the matter being conducted over the telephone. He also said that the board was ignoring the will of Congressman Jim Clyburn, an alumnus, and state lawmakers by moving to oust Hugine.

"Mr. Chairman, Byrd and others are making the worst decision that could possibly be made for the interest of the university," Williams said. He also accused fellow board members of micromanaging and undermining Hugine.

Williams also credited Hugine with creating a budget surplus, getting more buildings constructed on campus and restoring pride among alumni and the community.

Washington then took a shot at Williams, saying "Given your attendance record over the last few years, I find your comments quite amusing."

Williams said, "Anything would be quite amusing to you. The best thing that could happen to this university is to get rid of you."

The vote puts to rest weeks of rumors surrounding the future of Hugine at S.C. State. The rumors first surfaced about three weeks ago, when e-mails were distributed in alumni circles saying that the board secretly met and voted to oust Hugine.

S.C. State National Alumni President Patricia Lott and others addressed the board last Thursday, asking members to clarify the rumors. At that time, Washington said he would respond in writing to Lott's questions but would not directly discuss the matter during the meeting.

Clyburn said Tuesday was a dark day in the history of the institution. He said he sent out letters to each board member detailing his concern that the board was moving too hastily and that S.C. State needs continuity in its leadership.

Clyburn said it remains to be seen if Hugine's ousting will effect S.C. State's ability to obtain federal funding. He also believes that with Hugine gone, the university could have problems with its self-study assessment for accreditation.

Clyburn said that he wouldn't discuss such a matter over the telephone.

"That's certainly not the way I would have done it," he said.

State Rep. Jerry Govan, also an alumnus, said he was deeply saddened by Tuesday's events.

Govan, who listened in on the meeting at the S.C. State administration building, also did not like the fact the proceedings were conducted over the phone. He said that several members of the General Assembly have tried to talk with the board about its efforts to remove Hugine.

"I thought it was very cowardly done. They did not even have the courage to do it in front of the alumni. It speaks volumes in terms of the leadership of this board. Clearly, this board is out of control," he said.

Calls to Washington after the meeting Tuesday were not immediately returned.


http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2007/12/12/news/12866678.txt

not at all.

without going into details that are neither sports related or the business of anyone other than bullldogs, there is more to this story than what is printed here. Most bulldogs who are really in the know of what is really going on agree with this move, and ultimately, SCSU will be better off for it.

the way it was done is questionable, but the action itself is warranted.

Any info, other than that is Bulldog business....

Bulldogs....do yourselves a favor and get a president from the "OUTSIDE."

quote:

Originally posted by HAMP MAN:
Bulldogs....do yourselves a favor and get a president from the "OUTSIDE."

quote:

Originally posted by scstatealum:

quote:

Originally posted by HAMP MAN:
Bulldogs....do yourselves a favor and get a president from the "OUTSIDE."

Sounds so familiar.

Don't it!

quote:

Originally posted by Rattlermania:
Don't it!

and after all that drama, FAMU is now in a better position....as SCSU will also be.

quote:

Originally posted by docb21:
Sounds so familiar.

Man I was thinking the same thing when I read the paper.

quote:

Originally posted by SCSUDog4Life:

quote:

Originally posted by docb21:
Sounds so familiar.

Man I was thinking the same thing when I read the paper.

Yeah, NOT a good day for ANYONE who have an appreciation for and love our HBCU's.

Don't know the gentleman who was fired, and certainly don't know any of the "politics" that led to the decision. One of the Bulldogs peeps who commented on this thread suggested that all the details of this was "Bulldogs" business.

Have to respectfully disagree. Not at all suggesting that the details need to be SPLASHED all over the open forums. That probably is more appropriate for private discussion.

But, trust me, what affects one of us, affects us all. Believe THAT!!!!!

My hope and prayer is that the entire Bulldog family is able to reach common ground on all of this.

I kindly ask the same in return as we CONTINUE to work toward stability on our yard in Tallahassee.

Peace.

Seems like there's been too much shaking down in Orangeburg these past couple of years. Good folks getting caught up over nothing... And these are the people that have brought so much to State and Orangeburg over the years. Hugine, Govan, Clyburn... good people that have always been held in high regard and have also always had the best interest for Black in SC in mind.

I don't know this Washington fellow. But the way this was handled by the board, with Washington as Chairman, speaks volumes.

quote:

Originally posted by Strike79:

quote:

Originally posted by SCSUDog4Life:

quote:

Originally posted by docb21:
Sounds so familiar.

Man I was thinking the same thing when I read the paper.

Yeah, NOT a good day for ANYONE who have an appreciation for and love our HBCU's.

Don't know the gentleman who was fired, and certainly don't know any of the "politics" that led to the decision. One of the Bulldogs peeps who commented on this thread suggested that all the details of this was "Bulldogs" business.

Have to respectfully disagree. Not at all suggesting that the details need to be SPLASHED all over the open forums. That probably is more appropriate for private discussion.

But, trust me, what affects one of us, affects us all. Believe THAT!!!!!

My hope and prayer is that the entire Bulldog family is able to reach common ground on all of this.

I kindly ask the same in return as we CONTINUE to work toward stability on our yard in Tallahassee.

Peace.

I agree that what affects one affects all. I just dont want to put all the business out in the street.

be assured, a stronger SCSU will result from all of this...and that, helps us ALL

It's a new day with these BOT at many of our HBCUs. Stakeholders (Faculty, Students, and Alumni) must ensure their voices are heard in the selection of those members, and monitor those members’ agendas to ensure they continue to have your school best interest at hand.

I hope this is what the majority of the stakeholders felt was needed and wanted; otherwise you better get control of your BOT.

quote:

Originally posted by scstatealum:

quote:

Originally posted by Strike79:

quote:

Originally posted by SCSUDog4Life:

quote:

Originally posted by docb21:
Sounds so familiar.

Man I was thinking the same thing when I read the paper.

Yeah, NOT a good day for ANYONE who have an appreciation for and love our HBCU's.

Don't know the gentleman who was fired, and certainly don't know any of the "politics" that led to the decision. One of the Bulldogs peeps who commented on this thread suggested that all the details of this was "Bulldogs" business.

Have to respectfully disagree. Not at all suggesting that the details need to be SPLASHED all over the open forums. That probably is more appropriate for private discussion.

But, trust me, what affects one of us, affects us all. Believe THAT!!!!!

My hope and prayer is that the entire Bulldog family is able to reach common ground on all of this.

I kindly ask the same in return as we CONTINUE to work toward stability on our yard in Tallahassee.

Peace.

I agree that what affects one affects all. I just dont want to put all the business out in the street.

be assured, a stronger SCSU will result from all of this...and that, helps us ALL

quote:

Originally posted by scstatealum:

quote:

Originally posted by Rattlermania:
Don't it!

and after all that drama, FAMU is now in a better position....as SCSU will also be.

Which side does your alumni assoc. come down on this? They should have a voice.