ISSUE: S.C. State trustees

OUR VIEW: Govan bill has good points, but timing may sink it for now

Orangeburg Rep. Jerry Govan has a long affinity for historic South Carolina State University, as do other alumni.

The lawmaker is among university supporters frustrated at the board of trustees for its actions in dismissing Andrew Hugine Jr. as president and its failure to adequately show why the action was warranted even as S.C. State was winning praise for revitalization.

With 33 legislators as co-sponsors, Govan has a bill that calls for changing the way the board is constituted and selected. Instead of the present 12 trustees elected by the General Assembly and one appointed by the governor, Govan would give lawmakers the power to elect six, the governor authority to appoint one and the S.C. State National Alumni Association the opportunity to name six trustees.

Govan, who contends alumni are not adequately represented with six S.C. State graduates on the board now, cites Clemson and The Citadel as models for his plan. He also has separate legislation that would allow out-of-state residents to serve on the board, a concept that has appeal primarily in terms of the alumni association naming its board contingent.

Opponents say the legislation is retaliation against the board for the Hugine action. They also contend it would signal legislative intrusion on board authority and violate Southern Association of College and Schools accreditation standards.

Govan denies the retribution charge. And SACS has indicated the legislation poses no threat to accreditation.

Govan's plan has strong points, virtually assuring that alumni would have more presence on a board that has faced allegations of micromanagement and even mismanagement. The Legislature would still hold key power to elect board members and the governor retains his role. Power still would be vested with elected officials, though university alumni would get an important and nearly equal stake.

The primary problem with the Govan plan is timing. Lawmakers appear to be acting out of anger with the board -- anger being expressed openly by many alumni. A recent hearing on the Govan legislation produced an angry exchange between Govan and board Chairman Maurice Washington.

History professor William Hine, an SCSU veteran, noted during a recent faculty senate meeting that change is coming to the board regardless of what happens to the Govan legislation. (The faculty senate opposes the bill as giving away power to unelected representatives.) Hine noted lawmakers are presently weighing candidates for empty seats on the board and are scheduled to elect other trustees as well. Change indeed appears likely.

.jpgite its critics, Govan's bill would not be bad for the university and its governance. Yet its filing in the face of a very public battle over the Hugine firing is likely to leave state lawmakers reluctant to make such a structural change at this juncture.

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