" ICU81, Kids are banned from this site. You should not be here. You have nothing to say with any substance.FHSMCT...you hit me the nail on the head. Dr. Cooper did the right thing. Not one time did he say SCSU should be getting the same amount of resources as USC or Clemson. Look we all know that SCSU has been underfunded for sometime now...Come on be real. This president just wants to be treated fairly and its nothing wrong with that. What's strange is you want hold SCSU accountable but you dont want to hold the general assembly responsible for a lack of funding. Let's be truthful...the majority of us that doesn't want SCSU to receive adequate funding or the very ones that hate this schools guts. Some of you could care less what happens at State but as soon as a negative article comes out you run to this board like a bat out of....... "

" I agree that it is economics, however it is more the failure to understand economics. Many of these students receive financial aid, this is true, but many of them also receive thousands of dollars in "refunds" each semester. Rather than saving this money for future expenses, generally it is spent within a week or two on unrelated items and things that are "wants" and not "needs". There likely would be more funds to go around if these "refunds" were eliminated. Unfortunately, the students see these funds as entitlements. "

" Anyone who is even remotely versed and informed on the current condition of educational opportunity knows that the major cause of kids from the demographic that attends schools like SCSU not graduating is economics. By their senior year, most kids have run out of educational fiscal options (grants, scholarships, etc). AND, as far as loans are concerned, the majority of kid's educational loan elligibility is based on their parent's fiscal/credit record so, if Mom and Pops either are low wage earners or have bad credit, a kid's loan options are limited.

With the current national fiscal downturn, most kids options are even less.

AND, most of the students don't attend for six years.

If it takes a kids six years (which in all probability, includes having to hold a job while attending school and taking a break to work or otherwise come up with the fiscals to pay fr school), so be it.

At least the kid is sticking to his/her guns and completeing their undergraduate education!

RE: clockworkorange, wrote on Aug 22, 2008 4:41 PM: "One glaring statistic the T&D has included is the 45% graduation rate...OVER SIX YEARS. Most people who attend college for 6 years are earning graduate degrees and this 45% is only able to manage basic coursework?" . . . "

" If SCSU would honestly report what is happening the media would probably give us a fair shake. It's bad when the local newspaper has to play cloak and dagger to get the news from our campus.
ClaflinSis shut up! Your school hasn't too long got on the good foot. You need make sure that continues to last because I remember a time when Claflin was mentioned and folks would laugh. "

" claflin bro...thanks for bringing that up....It's a double standard...When they do something like that then it's OK...i.e. USC Garcia...But when we do something like that they want to close the school down...and throw away the key......I live in NC now and the schools here get treated fairly...HBCU and PWU/PWC....SC needs to take note....... "

" Bigtime:

I'm a subscriber to several major sports publications and few and far between are the football programs in this country that haven't had kids who've had off field issues.

Coach Pough's record seems to be to give a kid one chance at redemption and I have no problem with that.

Can YOU honestly state that you've NEVER made a mistake in life and discretely been given a pass on the condition that you go forth and sin no more?

Let he among us w/o sin cast the 1st stone. . . "

" ICU81, the most ignorant poster on this board. Calling me ClaflinSis doesnt work. Can you come with an intelligent answer. The answer is no. We all know you love USC. "

" To bosshog:

Where's the evidence to substantiate your claim of SCSU not being given what they were due? How do you know what they were due? Do you know how SCSU's state provided funding compares to other schools with similar populations?

My point to you remains that SCSU is asking for the same money as schools that are SIGNIFICANTLY larger than they are. This sort of thing is - and should be - relative. If the T&D wanted to do a thorough job of reporting this story, they'd have included comparative statistics regarding how SCSU stacks up against other area schools, particularly USC & Clemson.

One glaring statistic the T&D has included is the 45% graduation rate...OVER SIX YEARS. Most people who attend college for 6 years are earning graduate degrees and this 45% is only able to manage basic coursework? I'm all for giving folks who may be disadvantaged or otherwise chances to advance themselves but my God, people - if that's not a sign that things aren't going well in many different areas of this "school", I don't know what is!

To Pitbull:

If there is such gross favoritism being shown to USC and Clemson, how come I've never heard of other schools complaining of this? If it was as you say it is, I somehow doubt SCSU would be the only university crying foul right now. Another "Woe is me!" attitude from a growing society made up of people born & raised to rely on government and "the system" to handle all their needs - pathetic. "

" To answer your question a lot of what you mention ClaflinSis is swept under the rug. "

" We have had two new presidents of state supported institutions in recent months - USC and SC State. What a difference in approach of doing business in these two individuals! One (USC President) goes about business without making head lines or grandstanding and the other (SC state president) plays for the media attention.

One does not go about demanding greater state assistance standing on the steps of the state house, specially when the legislature is in recess! You have to do the ground work by meeting varois committee heads, justifying your needs and building a base of support with the key players.

Wrong approach Dr Cooper. Hire a good advisor! "

" Bigtime, what's the trend at USC. If I'm not mistaken I've seen atleast 15 either arrested or suspended for character issues. That's not the trend at SCSU. Let's address those issues now will you. I don't see kids from Buddy Poughs team in the paper every weekend like you do up at USC. The kids that did transfer have turned out to be moder student athletes since they arrived at SCSU. Why doesn't that happen at USC. I know its acceptable at USC. It's the norm for athletes at USC to beat up girlfriends, keying a professors car, getting drunk every week in 5 points and resisting arrest. "

" I notice two trends fhsmct.

1.SCSU lets in guys with character issues.

2.Buddy Pough is a man that believes in giving young people a second chance. "

" BigTime:
Coach Pough has a record, as a disciplinarian, in working with athletes such as the two tranfers you refer to.

Furthermore, while an assistant coach at USC, he had a prior relationship with that young man (the running back) and his family.

I will never fault some one like Coach Pough who takes a sincere and concerted interest in kids who have the possibility of getting their lives in order.

There was another prominant former USC running back (notice I didn;t say grad because, although he used up his ellligibility playing at USC, he never graduated) a few recent years ago who was reported to have enrolled at SCSU to complete his degree even though he had no elligibility remaing.

He, too, had a prior relationship with said coach.

Notice a trend?

I sure do . . . "

" you can't compare SCSU to USC and CLEMSON! Come on? Opening your eyes to reality would be a great start to your career with SCSU! Compare your school to schools within your league / size! Then look at funding issues and compare SCSU to a school of the same caliber. Come on I am no president but that is obvious. "

" its amazing (but not surprising) to see that some people would rather harp on teh past than to let it go and move forward.

it is clear there are some here that will wish bad on SCSU no matter what happens. "

" clockworkorange: again...nobody has said that SCSU in the past has not mismanaged money. The issue here is, that they were never given the amount they were supposed to have. If every school is supposed to get a dollar, and SCSU gets 45 cents, the fact that SCSU mismanaged the 45 cents doesnt remove the fact that they should have gotten a dollar. And its not legislative OPINION that determines the amount each school gets. Its the law, that all publics schools be funded EQUALLY. and they have not been. "

" clockworkorange

The majority of the General Assembly is composed of Clemson and USC grads...So who do you think they will be looking out for most of the time? That's all about to change....A new day is coming...and SCSU will not be ignored by the General Assembly anymore... "

" Hey Claflinbro. A 100 million dollar backlog would exist because the University traditionally overspends. In order to develop these deferred maintenance projects I propose a budget and a time line. Implement a budget the way any government agency, firm, organization, household, or individual would in order to track expenses. A budget would put a halt to overspending, thereby shielding the University from taking on more debt. Maybe the system could even red flag possible internal theft which appears to be so common. Theft from taxpayers like yourself.

Forbes is a publication (very respectable) that developed rankings based upon evaluations of professors and courses and the number of alumni listed among Who’s Who in America. Forbes is an addition to a growing number of publications that develops College ranking based upon numerous criteria.

I congratulate Claflin University. I am certain I ended my statement by lauding the institution that is Claflin, its administration, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and supporters. My praise for Claflin extends to you Claflinbro. Now, does anyone out there think that Converse College is the third best institution of higher learning in the state of South Carolina?

Earlier in this decade U.S. News and World Report ranked Clemson the number one public university in the country. This same publication ranked Clemson the 67th best college in the country (public or private). Claflin was not in the top 150. Two different publications, two different ranking criteria, two different research standards, and tow very different outcomes. I believe the T&D is doing SCSU a huge favor by giving the school free public relations on a daily basis. It just so happens that is has all been negative recently and for good reason. The University is in disarray. This is not a great journalistic assignment. I am quite certain the T&D could find a much better story to focus on.

The fact is they write about SCSU because the college plays a huge role on the entire community. How do you know who I like or dislike? I want to see SCSU flourish, because I know the only way Orangeburg will ever fulfill full growth potential is through the further development of SCSU.

USC is thug U? USC is the same college that dismissed arguably the best running back to ever play in the South Carolina high school ranks and a 1000 yard rusher as a college sophomore for behavioral and drug issues. He turned around and was granted admittance to where? SCSU! The current starting DE at SCSU was rleased from Clemson's roster after some run-ins with the law. He was welcomed with open arms at SCSU. Who is THUG U?

There is a major problem here and it has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of funding. "

" Bigtime:
SCSU, because of the "sunshine" laws, can never use a private school like Claflin as an example. During my days as a student at another private school (Morehouse), we used to joke that we could make a deal w/ the devil if that's what it took. That cannot legally take place at a public school as everything has to be above board, in the open and have transparency.

If you truly and sincerely believe that "The failures of SCSU have nothing to do with a lack of monetary", I have some prime real estate EAST of Myrtle Beach to sell you at a steal of a price . . . "

" So the legislators are responsible for not throwing more money to a school that is known for wasteful spending of a high and aggravated nature?

RIGHT. "

" Bigtime, you guys sound so pathetic. A 100 million dollar backlog would exist because SCSU will never get equal funding because its an HBCU. Before you go talking about how great USC and Clemson are maybe you need to look at todays ranking by forbes....then you may change your mind. Claflin is ranked higher than both of you. You guys should be ashamed of yourself.I'm sorry whats your ranking(425). They have all the resources and that's the best they can do. I'm sure you have looked at todays paper. I agree Claflin is doing well but that wasn't always the case. We are private...therefore we dont have to worry about people like you snooping around our campus. We dont have to answer to the T&D. The sad thing about this is you guys dont even like SCSU but you are the first to post when something is pertaining to this university. Where were you when stories about THUG U(USC) was in the paper. I know...no where to be find. I'm sorry Clemson was ranked as one of the best party schools.I'm happy that we dont have to depend on the state for funding. This is one of the perks of being a private school. SCSU you should know when you call people out about equal anything this is what will happen. Where is the Alumni.....you guys need a backbone. Stop letting other people create this terrible image about your university. This would never happen at Claflin. "

" ClockworkORANGE,

Columbia does share in the blame at what's happened at SCSU, as does its leadership, and its alumni. President Cooper is correct in pointing out the lack of funding the school has received from Columbia but he has also pointed out the lack of support the school recieves from alumni. "

" Cooper your right so from now on USC should not loan millions of $$$ to SC State. What ever happened to that money anyway???? "

" Many people tend to forget that from its very inception, SCSU has been deliberately underfunded. We learned to do a lot with a little and the legislature got used to giving us just a little. This is a new day, and that tradition must stop. We need just as much as the other schools, especially, the newer campuses, to operate. Our teachers should be paid on par with theirs and our facilities should be maintained on par with theirs. That can't be done with a substandard budget. This is a new day and we are making new demands! "

" Is it possible that the $100 million backlog would not exist if people weren't so busy laundering money every chance they got? SCSU should get the same kind of money that USC and Clemson receive? You mean USC (with the top ranked international business program, the medical college, and the law school) Clemson (the major research university that has partnerships with major corporations such as BMW and Sonoco) and SCSU should receive equal funding? I would think that Winthrop, College of Charleston, and Coastal Carolina with be next in line after the big two. Take a look at enrollment figures and you realize that SCSU falls in line with USC-Aiken and USC-Upstate, and that is where they should be in funding. The failures of SCSU have nothing to do with a lack of monetary funds, it has to do with illusions of grandeur from those in the SCSU community, an absolutely awful board, and a general lack of direction. Dr. Cooper is trying, but the man before him had brains, morals,integrity, and principles and we all saw how he got run out of town. Dr. Cooper, the second thing you should do as President is walk next door to Claflin University and witness how a real school is organized. "

" The General Assembly of SC should be embarrassed..."$100 million backlog of deferred maintenance projects." But I guess they aren't since their flagship schools are getting all the funding they need....Give'em hell Dr. Cooper...I would have CNN do a in-depth investigative report on the SC General Assembly (aka SC good Ole' Boy Network).....This is really sad.... "

" bosshog - He's absolutely blaming Columbia, why else would he single out the supposed lack of funding from them in making excuses for the already sinking ship he's acquired? Besides, even if he wasn't putting this burden at the steps of the state house, without a comparative study regarding how monies were distributed from the state to colleges similar to SCSU (student population figures to overall scholastic achievement) in South Carolina, your point is still moot. "

" SweetHomeCarolina: your right...scsu needs to act like them....cooper going up there is the first step....the first of many...clearly, SCSU needs to improve somethings to improve their reputation...which would help influence those who allot money in columbia.....its a long road, but cooper is making good first steps... "

" Dr. Cooper why don't really start off on a good foot by handing out pink slips. "

" We are just glad to see that Cooper is not afraid to go up there and talk to them. And not be afraid to go up there and form relationships with folks. "

" clockworkorange: he isnt blaming columbia for anything. he is simply saying that over the years, SCSU has not received the same level of funding as other schools. And this is a proven fact. Should past administrations have done better with what they had? ABSOLUTELY!! But that doesnt diminish the fact that they had less than they should have had, because they were given less than they should have gotten. "

" If you wanted to be treated like them, ACT like them. I agree, President Cooper is taking steps in the right direction, but you can't expect changes overnight. It also takes more than money to make a great school...whether it's K-12 or colleges and universities. "

" He's already off to a bad start by blaming Columbia for the university's history of epic mismanagement of funds & resources.

It's not their fault SCSU is in the state it's in - it's the fault of the previous administrations for not running the place any better than it is. "

" President Cooper is on point here. Hopefully he can rally the University faculty and supporters to facilitate more funding. In a very short period of time he came in and identitfied a long standing issue with SCSU and our legislature i.e., funding. We have a good leader here, alls we have to do is support him and his effort to make SCSU better. "

" Ok, finally I agree with something Cooper says. However I still don't like certain rules as SC State. We had a great interim president when I attended SCSU and He would be president today. SCSU's dumb rule as to if you are ever Interm president, you can never be a "regular" president stopped that dream. that man and president was Dr. Carl Carpenter. "