A South Carolina State University professor says the institution’s administration will recommend furloughing faculty for at least 15 days to cope with a budget crunch spurred by low enrollment figures.

“Yes, it’s fair to say the faculty is upset,” said S.C. State political science professor Dr. Willie Legette.

University President Dr. George Cooper confirmed Wednesday he plans to make a series of recommendations to trustees Thursday to deal with enrollment being 500 students short of expectations. However, he said he would not disclose what those recommendations are until he meets with trustees.

Legette, who has been at S.C. State since 1986, said many faculty members plan to attend today’s meeting of the university’s board.

The S.C. State student newspaper, The Collegian, reported Monday the university’s Faculty Senate discussed taking a vote of no confidence against President Dr. George Cooper and the board if they are not included in the decision-making process.

Last year, the university furloughed employees for seven days to cope with funding cuts. Several other state-funded universities made similar moves.

Legette said, “Now, we seem to all alone out here. I think that has to do with bad decisions and poor management.”

Since last summer, S.C. State has lost nearly $9 million in state appropriations.

The board approved a $75.2 million budget last June based on a matriculation of 5,102 students. However, several trustees expressed reservations with the spending plan because it hinged heavily on enrollment.

Earlier this month, the university reported it had 4,526 students enrolled with a schedule. Registration ended on Aug. 24.

The Collegian quoted Faculty Senate President Dr. Evelyn Fields as saying the enrollment shortfall would cost the university $4 million and that faculty could be furloughed for up to 18 days.

Fields didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment on Wednesday.

Legette said if the furlough does happen, that doesn’t mean any classes would be cancelled.

“Most faculty are committed to their craft and they’re not going to do students that kind of disservice by missing so many days. ... What I expect to happen is that people will simply go to work without pay,” he said.

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

You must be logged in to comment.