TheTandD.com | SCSU students hope to expand protests over Hugine ouster

SCSU students hope to expand protests over Hugine ouster

By LEE TANT, T&D Staff WriterThursday, January 03, 2008

Five South Carolina State University students braved Wednesday's cold, windy conditions to protest the removal of President Andrew Hugine Jr.

Standing at Russell and College streets, the students displayed several signs they created to denounce the actions of the university's board of trustees and praise the Hugine presidency.

One sign was a checklist of Hugine's accomplishments during his tenure: increasing enrollment, bringing the Democratic presidential debate to the campus and creating a budget surplus. There was also a sign with a quote from trustee Col. John Bowden regarding the situation. "I don't know how we got to where we are but we are where we are," the sign read.

Bowden has said he will resign as a trustee because of the Hugine ouster in December.

Taking a shot at the board, another sign read, "kakistocracy, look it up," By definition, kakistocracy is a government by the worst persons; a form of government in which the worst persons are in power.

Graduate student C.W. Cummings said Hugine should be reinstated as president and that Board Chairman Maurice Washington and other trustees should relinquish their positions. He said the rally is more about the future of S.C. State than Hugine, however.

"We realize the board of trustees has made a decision that is detrimental to the future," Cummings said. He said that he wants students, alumni, members of the General Assembly, Congressman Jim Clyburn and Gov. Mark Sanford not to remain idle and allow the board to act any way it desires.

"It's just not going to happen for us," Cummings said of the student involvement.

Junior Joy Vaughn started a group on the popular networking site Facebook.com in support of Hugine. The group currently has 67 members and is titled "Hugine for President." Another group with 35 members titled "Please support Dr. Hugine" is also on Facebook.com.

The Web site has pictures of rallies conducted by students since the ouster of Hugine. Vaughn said they will have more rallies in the future and hope more students will become involved.

Cummings said most students do not live in the Orangeburg area and the group will expand when students return from winter break. Right now, Cummings said the protests are being held to raise awareness when the spring semester starts.

The groups encouraged students to have their voices heard and demand definitive answers as to why the board decided not to renew Hugine's contract. Currently on administrative leave, Hugine has his last day this Friday. The board selected Dr. Leonard McIntyre as the university's interim president.

Sophomore Elijah Corley said Hugine did great things for the university while president and the board's actions have jeopardized the future and legitimacy of S.C. State.

"We really respect him and need him back. Without him, we are lost," he said.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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15 comment(s)

The following comments are reader submitted. They do not represent the views of The T&D or Lee Enterprises.

fhsmct wrote on Jan 9, 2008 7:20 AM:

" Ajamu:

Many a Morehouse Man has proudly and loyally graced the "groves and hallowed halls" in Orangeburg, among them: Mays, Staley (3 of 'em), Boston, Stukes, etc . . . "

dzfyi wrote on Jan 6, 2008 1:07 AM:

" To ICU81 your comment was very ignorant!!! Obviously you would have been one of the of the people who revealed Nat Turner's revolt. It is obvious you lack vision & courage. I am sure that Harriett Tubman, Malcom X, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Meager Evers, Corretta Scott King, etc. are turning over in their graves!!! I PITY U 81! FYI, since you wondered about the protesting students' grades, well Elijah Corely & myself, received academic honors last spring!!! "

BulldogAgainstDumbness wrote on Jan 5, 2008 7:01 AM:

" Congratulations to these students who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. I believe many others will join you when classes resume.

Here is the question of month for SCSU students? “What would Obama do?” He would challenge the system and dare to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

It has been college students who have made monumental differences in our society. Keep up the good work…more will join!!
"

db wrote on Jan 4, 2008 9:50 AM:

" It has to start with someone. Five could lead to more. Now we are worrying about their grades. Why are we...and I do mean we as a people, quick to criticize others for what they beieve in so strongly. Don't ever be afraid to stir up the issue. "

ftalleyjr wrote on Jan 4, 2008 3:35 AM:

" The firing of President Andrew Hugine leave South Carolina State University on a Rudderless ship. No Responsible Body of Academic Leadership would have removed a progressive president with the track record as Dr. Andrew Hugine. What's more apparent is the Governor appears to have sanctioned the removal of President Hugine by the same person nominated by the Governor. The unprofessionalism of the Board of Trustees beckon their removal. "

minimouse wrote on Jan 3, 2008 10:53 PM:

" prominence? what prominence?
this is the t and d not the new york times.

"

Chris' Cloths wrote on Jan 3, 2008 10:41 PM:

" These are the kind of students i will be looking to hire in the future. I want leaders as these students are, not followers. "

Ajamu wrote on Jan 3, 2008 5:30 PM:

" In the spirit of Student's Rights I along with other alumni who staged protests back in the '70's salute the courageous students who like us braved the elements to protest apparent injustices perpetrated by the BOT. It is a sad commentary on the progress of our alma mater that the students feel it's necessary to voice their concerns in this manner 30 years later. So many HBCU's are so much more advanced in their vision for their students. When is S.C.S.U. going to join the 21st century and conduct itself in a first class manner admininstratively? Perhaps this type of situation is why so many of Orangeburg's best and brightest choose to attend institutions outside of 0-burg and never return except to visit family. By the way I stayed after graduating to make a contribution to the community that nurtured me. How ever in hindsight it was was more about youthful optimism and blind loyalty that kept me in the 'Burg for so long. GOOD LUCK students. Change comes verrrry slowwwwly in '0-burg. Perhaps in another 13 years I can send my 5 year old to "State" with confidence but it looks like my 15 year old will wind up a Morehouse man; and he was born in the 'BURG! "

fhsmct wrote on Jan 3, 2008 4:33 PM:

" ICU81:

Your comments vividly remind me of those spouted by former Predident Turner and others towards SCSC students that fatefull week in 1968!

What next: you want the students sanctioned, suspended or expelled for expressing their views? . . . "

msintellect wrote on Jan 3, 2008 1:33 PM:

" Their grades are completely irrelevant. The cause is what this article is about. Do you question the grades of a student who committed a crime if he or she is even a student. Besides it is Christmas break. The semester has ended and grades are in. No matter what students do, some people always highlight the negative. The students organized a peaceful display of the amendments and ICU81 is questioning their grades and study habits. Did you read that one student is a graduate student? Your punctuation and grammar can stand some improvement but yet still you are giving students advice about studying. "

db wrote on Jan 3, 2008 10:19 AM:

" This is a great thing to see. More students should be out there. We have to step out in the public eye and not be afraid of the consequences. "

supporter wrote on Jan 3, 2008 8:51 AM:

" When do five people rise to this level of prominence? "

ftalleyjr wrote on Jan 3, 2008 2:28 AM:

" The students actions are reminiscent of the Great Cause at SCSU in 1966. The students led then to Remove B. C. Turner as president and they must lead now to reinstate President Andrew Hugine. The alumni will stand behind the students and need the rebel Trustees to Resign for the Best Interests of the University and students. "

ICU81 wrote on Jan 2, 2008 11:29 PM:

" Okay kids how are your grades. Do you have time to dedicate to such a campaign? Spend less time protesting and more time studying. "

Bmore#1 wrote on Jan 2, 2008 10:21 PM:

"
This is what make ours a great country. A person can have his or her say on any given topic. These students are exercising their right to freedom of speech and that's almost always a good thing.Hopefully their efforts will capture the attention of the general assembly. "

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SCSU students hope to expand protests over Hugine ouster

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