 |
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.
T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Visit our video gallery for a collection of videos and audio segments from Tuesday's teleconference.