Last week troubling news that South Carolina State University, a historically black college or university (HBCU) and also the state’s only public Black college, would have to force some 3,000 students to transfer to another institution if they wished not to have classes interrupted when state legislators suggested to close the university for two years while the state paid its bills. As of today, state budget writers has abandoned the plan,
reports say.
The proposed bill caused an uproar as soon HBCU supporters nationwide heard about the news mostly by social media using the hastag #KillTheBillSCState on Twitter and joined together to rally against it.
We asked our followers on Twitter and Facebook about their views on the bill to close S.C. State, and most were not too happy at all just by the thought of the idea:
“If one HBCU closes, they’ll feel as if they can come after all HBCUs,” Kelli wrote on Facebook. “I don’t believe there’s any truth in that they’re saying the school will only be closed for one year.”
Kelli added: “These are the last vestiges of a space where we can be free to learn and mold and shape minds. We must protect all of our HBCUs. We still have a historical mission to carry out.”
This would be a “nail in the coffin” if bill passes to close S.C. State for two years, one Twitter user said.
An overwhelming amount of students and supporters of S.C. State and the country’s other 106 HBCUs believes that the school should not be closed for even one year, one student wrote on Twitter.
“South Carolina State University will not close.” – Thomas Elzey
SC State University President Thomas Elzey spoke passionately, almost shedding tears about the state of the school during an address to the State’s House Ways and Means subcommittee, saying, “I want to make one thing clear: South Carolina State University will not close.”
“This university has had its share challenges,” said Elzey. “…This board and this administration have remained relentless in our charge to turn the university around.”
According to reports, S.C. State’s financial woes continues to cause a deep and bothersome burden, and currently the school owes $17. 5 million. Governor Nikki Haley told News19‘s Steven Dial Wednesday that lawmakers are simply frustrated with the administration of S.C. State.
[quote_box_center]”It just calls to question why won’t they turn over the information?” Haley said. “What is the reason they won’t turn it over? This is not about blame. We’re not blaming anyone. We’re saying let’s fix it. So they need to not be defensive and realize this is a state that’s trying to help them and they’re not helping themselves.”[/quote_box_center]
In spite of the fact, people like John Matthews, a state Senator and alum of SCSU, says the vote to close operations was a bad move:
[quote_box_center]”I think it’s the most irresponsible vote that I’ve ever seen come out of the House,” said Matthew. “They know they’re not going to be able to close that institution, the Senate’s not going to support that position, and so all they’re doing is damage to the institution.”[/quote_box_center]
Elzey insists that he does not have to “defend the values” of the university to Gov. Haley, or anybody for that matter, “All you have to do is look at us,” he said.
[pull_quote_center]”…19 U.S. Generals have walked these halls, state Supreme Court justices have graduated from South Carolina State University, professional athletes have attended this great university…the list goes on.”[/pull_quote_center]
“It’s unreasonable and unthinkable to fathom that the governor or anyone of our lawmakers would want to do away with 119 years of success,” Elzey said.
Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter calls the abandoned bill by state budget writers a “victory for everyone if we choose to see it,” and says that the priority remains to keep S.C. State open for another 119 years, and then some.
Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @MeadeReport
She is also the associate vice president for public safety at the college.
Average incidents per year 2011-2013: 152 Rate of incidents per 1,000 students: 60.5