We’ve been arguing for years that Clemson University and other cash-guzzling institutions of “higher learning” in South Carolina should pursue their destinies as private institutions. Why? Because taxpayers have no further business subsidizing them, that’s why.
This is especially true for Clemson, which operates its dog and pony show via a flagrantly unconstitutional governing structure.
Anyway, the good news? Clemson has finally decided to take our advice and break free from the state …
The bad news? They’re still planning on taking our tax dollars …
Under the terms of S. 535, a piece of legislation sponsored by more than a dozen Democrats and “Republicans in Name Only” in the State Senate, Clemson would be free to shift vast percentages of its “assets, programs and operations” to a so-called “enterprise zone.”
What exactly does that mean? Well, it would basically make Clemson a quasi-public “authority” – removing several layers of accountability over its financial decisions.
For example, if this law were to pass Clemson would no longer need approval from the S.C. Budget and Control Board (SCBCB) or the S.C. Commission on Higher Education (SCCHE) for land sales, purchases and leases. It could arbitrarily enter into such agreements with no oversight. Bond issues and contracts with non-profits would also no longer be subjected to state oversight – while Clemson would be free to establish its own procurement process, personnel policies and grievance procedures.
Basically Clemson could move any aspect of its organization into this new “authority” and – just like that – it would be exempt from virtually every law governing the conduct of state agencies. Accountability and transparency would vanish overnight.
Also the school … err, authority … could shift “assets, programs and operations” to and from this so-called enterprise zone whenever it wanted.
Ready for the kicker? Despite this effective “privatization” of its operations, Clemson would continue to receive tens of millions of dollars annually from South Carolina taxpayers – funding its employee salaries and their various (cough) “research activities” with your money.
The only difference is you would have no clue what they were up to …
This is … in a word … insanity.
Clemson is already a friggin’ oasis of corruption, excess and wasteful spending … imagine what it will become when we give its big government boondogglers carte blanche with our checkbook?
Sadly this legislation stands a good chance of passing. Its lead sponsor is S.C. Senate “Majority” Leader Harvey Peeler – a Clemson graduate – and it has the backing of likely 2014 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Vincent Sheheen.
Plus we all know S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley – also a Clemson graduate – will give her alma mater whatever it wants.
That’s accountability-free “higher education” for ya, people. Coming soon to a government-run university near you …
S. 535 (.pdf)
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70 comments
I believe this pertains to all higher education agencies in SC.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=535&session=120&summary=B
Alllllllll Clemson.
I believe this pertains to all higher education agencies in SC.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=535&session=120&summary=B
Alllllllll Clemson.
Glenn McConnell is behind this stunt. Clemson manages “the rust lab” for his Hunley submarine, which costs about $10 million a year, all funded by Clemson.
This law will allow McConnell, with absolutely no oversight, to manipulate yet more “Clemson” money, McConnell’s staff, friends, campaign contributors, etc. to work at the Warren F. Lasch Conservation Lab at the Navy Base.
Bill Schachte, on the Hunley Commission and a former Clemson board member, helped prepare this scheme.
The Democrats sponsoring this bill are being manipulated by an arch-Republican.
Here’s Clemson current slate: http://www.clemson.edu/curf/?page_id=91
Exactly when was Bill Schachte a member of the Clemson BOT? More inventions on your part?
Many of the states largest personal fortunes have been made on the backs of the taxpayers. The big money, and I mean big money, has always been in education and this is just the next step in fleecing the taxpayers. The real money here is not the tax dollars, but the funds derived from student loans and subsidies to include the lottery. Clemson is authorized by the state to be in business and it is that authorization, and existing infrastructure, that is valuable.
In the end it is the funds derived from student debt, state debt ( through buildings, etc) and state funds funneled through the lottery that is the prize. David Wilkens and crew are going to fleece the place and tell us it is all ” fer the clillens.”
Glenn McConnell is behind this stunt. Clemson manages “the rust lab” for his Hunley submarine, which costs about $10 million a year, all funded by Clemson.
This law will allow McConnell, with absolutely no oversight, to manipulate yet more “Clemson” money, McConnell’s staff, friends, campaign contributors, etc. to work at the Warren F. Lasch Conservation Lab at the Navy Base.
Bill Schachte, on the Hunley Commission and a former Clemson board member, helped prepare this scheme.
The Democrats sponsoring this bill are being manipulated by an arch-Republican.
Here’s Clemson current slate: http://www.clemson.edu/curf/?page_id=91
Exactly when was Bill Schachte a member of the Clemson BOT? More inventions on your part?
Many of the states largest personal fortunes have been made on the backs of the taxpayers. The big money, and I mean big money, has always been in education and this is just the next step in fleecing the taxpayers. The real money here is not the tax dollars, but the funds derived from student loans and subsidies to include the lottery. Clemson is authorized by the state to be in business and it is that authorization, and existing infrastructure, that is valuable.
In the end it is the funds derived from student debt, state debt ( through buildings, etc) and state funds funneled through the lottery that is the prize. David Wilkens and crew are going to fleece the place and tell us it is all ” fer the clillens.”
The biggest “Dog and Pony Show” in SC is located in Columbia at FITS News.
Nah man that’s GOAT show. GOAT show ;)
As long as it isn’t a donkey show…
i have seen some rather immature articles on this site but this is about as bad as they come. The writer sounds like a fifth grader.
The biggest “Dog and Pony Show” in SC is located in Columbia at FITS News.
Nah man that’s GOAT show. GOAT show ;)
As long as it isn’t a donkey show…
i have seen some rather immature articles on this site but this is about as bad as they come. The writer sounds like a fifth grader.
Dem boys didn’t name dat tower w/clock afta dat boy “Pitchfork Ben Tillman for nuttin. Clemsun’s Board of Trustees is composed of about 6 or 7 life time members (unlike other state supported institutions of higher learning) not selected by the SC GA; that in itself makes it at least a semi-private institution and should not be supported with taxpayer monies. But I am no longer surprised at what happens in SC or Washington anymore re politics.
Dem boys didn’t name dat tower w/clock afta dat boy “Pitchfork Ben Tillman for nuttin. Clemsun’s Board of Trustees is composed of about 6 or 7 life time members (unlike other state supported institutions of higher learning) not selected by the SC GA; that in itself makes it at least a semi-private institution and should not be supported with taxpayer monies. But I am no longer surprised at what happens in SC or Washington anymore re politics.
Willy suffering from Butthurtfeelioma? About Clemson? Again? Awwww, Put some Desitin on it, little Willy.
Willy suffering from Butthurtfeelioma? About Clemson? Again? Awwww, Put some Desitin on it, little Willy.
OK
OK
With the “toxic peelers” (skirt chasing Harvey in the Senate, skirt chasing Bob on the Trustee Board and Haley (the penis porcupine) involved, t will be a screwing of the taxpayer.
By the way, anyone notice the complexions of these three? Whoever set their faces on fire, must have used the same golf shoes to stomp’em out…….more craters than the dark side of the moon. They is what you call “butt ugly”. Butts with an overabundance of cellulite………whew!
With the “toxic peelers” (skirt chasing Harvey in the Senate, skirt chasing Bob on the Trustee Board and Haley (the penis porcupine) involved, t will be a screwing of the taxpayer.
By the way, anyone notice the complexions of these three? Whoever set their faces on fire, must have used the same golf shoes to stomp’em out…….more craters than the dark side of the moon. They is what you call “butt ugly”. Butts with an overabundance of cellulite………whew!
Ole Sic Willie wants it both ways. He has long and hard railed against the Budget and Control Board. Now when it comes to Clemson he wants them in control. Which way is the wind going to blow tomorrow Sic Willie?
Ole Sic Willie wants it both ways. He has long and hard railed against the Budget and Control Board. Now when it comes to Clemson he wants them in control. Which way is the wind going to blow tomorrow Sic Willie?
This is exactly how MUSC operates. Being an authority gives them significant autonomy.
This is exactly how MUSC operates. Being an authority gives them significant autonomy.
Sic Willy: “funding its employees salaries ad their various (cough) `research activities’
with your money”.
Do you even know what the fuck research is, Willtard? Do you understand that all universities have a mission of research, teaching, and service?
Research means new discoveries. The things that improve your life. You come off like a friggin’ dolt that knows only of classes and football. Try do some research next time you write an article. You might make a difference and keep from looking like a juvenile journalist. Till then, stick to soft porn.
Hey there CNSYD.
Do you remember the famous quote in the Post and Courier from our illustrious submarine-chaser Sen. Glenn McConnell that he expected Clemson’s “Research Institute” that it would (a) spur creation of 5,000 jobs and (b) had “in the pipeline several patents” for anti-fouling paint compounds that shipyards worldwide would buy for application to the hulls of oceangoing vessels?
Well. . .
Last time I checked, there are a dozen scientists and bureaucrats at Clemson’s “Research Institute” including the Executive Director who mostly gives tours and draws a $266,000 salary.
And the anti-fouling paint patents? Well, Clemson’s Research Institute has NEVER filed for ANY patent. The only research going on nearby that CRI is done at the complete, entire expense of the Zucker family, Jerry Zucker having filed some 48 patents before his death.
CRI is a sinkhole for taxpayer and tuition dollars.
The quote you give says “expect”. I “expect” Sic Willie to always tell the truth. Are my expectations incorrect? The quote said patents were “in the pipeline”. You skipped from the process to completion. So are any in the pipeline or not? Were all 5,000 jobs to be at CRI? Is that what you believe?
Sic Willy: “funding its employees salaries ad their various (cough) `research activities’
with your money”.
Do you even know what the fuck research is, Willtard? Do you understand that all universities have a mission of research, teaching, and service?
Research means new discoveries. The things that improve your life. You come off like a friggin’ dolt that knows only of classes and football. Try do some research next time you write an article. You might make a difference and keep from looking like a juvenile journalist. Till then, stick to soft porn.
Hey there CNSYD.
Do you remember the famous quote in the Post and Courier from our illustrious submarine-chaser Sen. Glenn McConnell that he expected Clemson’s “Research Institute” that it would (a) spur creation of 5,000 jobs and (b) had “in the pipeline several patents” for anti-fouling paint compounds that shipyards worldwide would buy for application to the hulls of oceangoing vessels?
Well. . .
Last time I checked, there are a dozen scientists and bureaucrats at Clemson’s “Research Institute” including the Executive Director who mostly gives tours and draws a $266,000 salary.
And the anti-fouling paint patents? Well, Clemson’s Research Institute has NEVER filed for ANY patent. The only research going on nearby that CRI is done at the complete, entire expense of the Zucker family, Jerry Zucker having filed some 48 patents before his death.
CRI is a sinkhole for taxpayer and tuition dollars.
The quote you give says “expect”. I “expect” Sic Willie to always tell the truth. Are my expectations incorrect? The quote said patents were “in the pipeline”. You skipped from the process to completion. So are any in the pipeline or not? Were all 5,000 jobs to be at CRI? Is that what you believe?
TROUTMAN vs. HENDRIX, et al., CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:08-cv-449-MJP, US DISTRICT COURT
addressed the question: “Is Clemson University an arm of the State of South Carolina?”
This question was framed in an excellent “Letter to the Editor” at
https://www.fitsnews.com/2009/10/07/clemson-the-wheels-of-justice/
See:
generally — http://clemsonlawsuit.com/
and
regarding “waste of state money on Hunley submarine” — http://charleston.thedigitel.com/business/fired-employee-clemsons-project-charleston-wastefu-2519-1218
To everyone’s surprise, (Federal) Judge Perry ruled against TROUTMAN and for Clemson, stating basically that Clemson is as not an arm of the State, and is indeed a free agent that must report not to the state legislature but ONLY to its own BOARD.
This is because Clemson was established in 1889 by Thomas Clemson’s will as a “land-grant” college.
From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Clemson):
#####
In his will, [Thomas] Clemson explicitly stated that he wanted the school to be modeled after what is now Mississippi State University:
“This institution, I desire, to be under the control and management of a board of trustees, a part of whom are hereinafter appointed, and to be modeled after the Agricultural College of Mississippi as far as practicable.”
In November 1889, South Carolina Governor John Peter Richardson III signed the bill, thus establishing the Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina. As a result, federal funds for agricultural education from the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act and the Hatch Act of 1887 were transferred from South Carolina College to Clemson.
#####
I’m no lawyer but understand from the TROUTMAN discovery documents that Clemson is a unique legal creature in our South Carolina. According to GAGAS (generally accepted governmental accounting standards), Clemson is a self-contained “government” that publishes its own financial statements, issues its own bonds, elects its own board, and as TROUTMAN learned ruefully, violates its own internal controls, manipulates its Internal Audit Dept., ignores its Code of Ethics (http://www.clemson.edu/cfo/comptroller/ethics.html), misstates revenues and expenses, and terminates whistle-blowers like TROUTMAN.
This is just the sort of non-transparent organization that thrives on insider dealing, free airplane trips, construction of free outdoor furniture for President Barker, his relatives and friends (provided by the Dept. of Prisons), and ghost employees. (SOURCE: Clemson Internal Audit Dept. confidentially. http://www.clemson.edu/administration/internalaudit/)
#####
“Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants, and the electric light the most efficient policeman.”
— Louis Brandeis
And your point is? How did your boy Troutman make out again?
At least you have hit upon the most salient point of all. The nexus of all of Sic Willie’s and your angst. “As a result, federal funds for agricultural education from the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act and the Hatch Act of 1887 were transferred from South Carolina College to Clemson.”
TROUTMAN vs. HENDRIX, et al., CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:08-cv-449-MJP, US DISTRICT COURT
addressed the question: “Is Clemson University an arm of the State of South Carolina?”
This question was framed in an excellent “Letter to the Editor” at
https://www.fitsnews.com/2009/10/07/clemson-the-wheels-of-justice/
See:
generally — http://clemsonlawsuit.com/
and
regarding “waste of state money on Hunley submarine” — http://charleston.thedigitel.com/business/fired-employee-clemsons-project-charleston-wastefu-2519-1218
To everyone’s surprise, (Federal) Judge Perry ruled against TROUTMAN and for Clemson, stating basically that Clemson is as not an arm of the State, and is indeed a free agent that must report not to the state legislature but ONLY to its own BOARD.
This is because Clemson was established in 1889 by Thomas Clemson’s will as a “land-grant” college.
From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Clemson):
#####
In his will, [Thomas] Clemson explicitly stated that he wanted the school to be modeled after what is now Mississippi State University:
“This institution, I desire, to be under the control and management of a board of trustees, a part of whom are hereinafter appointed, and to be modeled after the Agricultural College of Mississippi as far as practicable.”
In November 1889, South Carolina Governor John Peter Richardson III signed the bill, thus establishing the Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina. As a result, federal funds for agricultural education from the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act and the Hatch Act of 1887 were transferred from South Carolina College to Clemson.
#####
I’m no lawyer but understand from the TROUTMAN discovery documents that Clemson is a unique legal creature in our South Carolina. According to GAGAS (generally accepted governmental accounting standards), Clemson is a self-contained “government” that publishes its own financial statements, issues its own bonds, elects its own board, and as TROUTMAN learned ruefully, violates its own internal controls, manipulates its Internal Audit Dept., ignores its Code of Ethics (http://www.clemson.edu/cfo/comptroller/ethics.html), misstates revenues and expenses, and terminates whistle-blowers like TROUTMAN.
This is just the sort of non-transparent organization that thrives on insider dealing, free airplane trips, construction of free outdoor furniture for President Barker, his relatives and friends (provided by the Dept. of Prisons), and ghost employees. (SOURCE: Clemson Internal Audit Dept. confidentially. http://www.clemson.edu/administration/internalaudit/)
#####
“Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants, and the electric light the most efficient policeman.”
— Louis Brandeis
And your point is? How did your boy Troutman make out again?
At least you have hit upon the most salient point of all. The nexus of all of Sic Willie’s and your angst. “As a result, federal funds for agricultural education from the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act and the Hatch Act of 1887 were transferred from South Carolina College to Clemson.”
NO! I saw Peeler down in Mexico.It was a queer-ass,GAY-republican and donkey show.The donkey had ribbons wrapped around his shaft,and Peeler peeled one off,each time the donkey sank his brobdingnagian member a few inches deeper into Peeler’s hairy man-cunt…,WHILE,Peeler was drunk and singing this song to the DONKEY….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edtl5W4XNLk
the most stupid youtube i’ve seen in quite a while
Harvey or Bob?
Y does everyone always say bad things about the Peelers?
NO! I saw Peeler down in Mexico.It was a queer-ass,GAY-republican and donkey show.The donkey had ribbons wrapped around his shaft,and Peeler peeled one off,each time the donkey sank his brobdingnagian member a few inches deeper into Peeler’s hairy man-cunt…,WHILE,Peeler was drunk and singing this song to the DONKEY….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edtl5W4XNLk
the most stupid youtube i’ve seen in quite a while
Harvey or Bob?
Y does everyone always say bad things about the Peelers?
The state legislature allocates USC 2-3 times more funding than Clemson but your hatred for Clemson clouds your mind to miss that fact.
What a buffoon. Go beat your wife some more
The state legislature allocates USC 2-3 times more funding than Clemson but your hatred for Clemson clouds your mind to miss that fact.
What a buffoon. Go beat your wife some more
It’s kinda like Mark Sanford. We PAID him to be GOVERNOR of SC…but he wanted to rule in Argentina. He wanted us to fund him…but did not want the responsibility….
And now FITS tells us Sanford is the best candidate to represent us in an office he bragged about term-limiting himself out of years ago…
Sanford is Bob Inglis all over again…except Sanford failed at a higher level than Inglis.
It’s kinda like Mark Sanford. We PAID him to be GOVERNOR of SC…but he wanted to rule in Argentina. He wanted us to fund him…but did not want the responsibility….
And now FITS tells us Sanford is the best candidate to represent us in an office he bragged about term-limiting himself out of years ago…
Sanford is Bob Inglis all over again…except Sanford failed at a higher level than Inglis.
The one comment I see missing from this ongoing discussion is an acknowledgement of the fact that Clemson consistently scores the highest ratings in national reviews of Public colleges in SC year in and year out. Only Furman has a better national reputation academically (and as a primary liberal arts school -yes Paladins, I know you have sciences as well). Every other University in SC would like to have the same academic reputation as Clemson, but they don’t, and may not while we continue the status quo on how our University system is run. NC has a contiguous board for all of its state colleges, and they make decisions that promote the entire system, not one university over another. Hence a state with a better reputation in higher education.
Since Clemson has chosen to walk its own path (as per design by Pitchfork Ben and his pals, in order to escape the Columbia control crowd), the school is able to react and be also proactive in a more effective manner. Clemson has been much more successful in obtaining research dollars than all other State schools, and as such, has been able to attract great staff, and higher scoring students from around the country. Ergo, the higher national ratings.
Sic, I know you are a Gamecock through and through, but you also profess to be a True South Carolinian who loves his state. Last time I looked, Pickens County was still in SC, and John C. Calhoun was still one of her great sons. How about a little love for a SC institution sitting on Calhoun’s home site that has produced a lot of success, instead of deriding the school, just because you are a Gamecock fan? It is possible to like both schools – I should know, being a graduate of both ( and I am not alone, there are lots of us here in SC, who also cherish our home state and all things within its borders, including Clemson University
Yes, and ironically when FITS rails again and again about Innovista and the failed efforts (so far) of USC’s economic development initiative, he always and intentionally leaves out CU-ICAR and the vast success that Clemson has had in partnering with the automotive industry to bring world-class research to Greenville and the Upstate. They are actually doing things and have buildings on the ground.
The one comment I see missing from this ongoing discussion is an acknowledgement of the fact that Clemson consistently scores the highest ratings in national reviews of Public colleges in SC year in and year out. Only Furman has a better national reputation academically (and as a primary liberal arts school -yes Paladins, I know you have sciences as well). Every other University in SC would like to have the same academic reputation as Clemson, but they don’t, and may not while we continue the status quo on how our University system is run. NC has a contiguous board for all of its state colleges, and they make decisions that promote the entire system, not one university over another. Hence a state with a better reputation in higher education.
Since Clemson has chosen to walk its own path (as per design by Pitchfork Ben and his pals, in order to escape the Columbia control crowd), the school is able to react and be also proactive in a more effective manner. Clemson has been much more successful in obtaining research dollars than all other State schools, and as such, has been able to attract great staff, and higher scoring students from around the country. Ergo, the higher national ratings.
Sic, I know you are a Gamecock through and through, but you also profess to be a True South Carolinian who loves his state. Last time I looked, Pickens County was still in SC, and John C. Calhoun was still one of her great sons. How about a little love for a SC institution sitting on Calhoun’s home site that has produced a lot of success, instead of deriding the school, just because you are a Gamecock fan? It is possible to like both schools – I should know, being a graduate of both ( and I am not alone, there are lots of us here in SC, who also cherish our home state and all things within its borders, including Clemson University
Yes, and ironically when FITS rails again and again about Innovista and the failed efforts (so far) of USC’s economic development initiative, he always and intentionally leaves out CU-ICAR and the vast success that Clemson has had in partnering with the automotive industry to bring world-class research to Greenville and the Upstate. They are actually doing things and have buildings on the ground.
FITS is just bitter because he couldn’t get into Clemson.
FITS is just bitter because he couldn’t get into Clemson.
Methinks some folks won’t be happy until SC gets to the top of this chart.
Hey! SC near the top of something! Something bad, but still, we’re near the top!
Methinks some folks won’t be happy until SC gets to the top of this chart.
Hey! SC near the top of something! Something bad, but still, we’re near the top!
This article is a joke!!!!!!!
This article is a joke!!!!!!!
Maybe some major players were getting tired of being told they couldnt open a vet or dental school in this state because the state of SC has contracts with the vet and dental schools at UGA.
There a dental school in SC at MUSC.
Maybe some major players were getting tired of being told they couldnt open a vet or dental school in this state because the state of SC has contracts with the vet and dental schools at UGA.
There a dental school in SC at MUSC.
Not to mention that Bob Peeler, Harvey’s brother is on the Clemson Board. So many coincidences so few questions. SC, you never cease to amaze.
Not to mention that Bob Peeler, Harvey’s brother is on the Clemson Board. So many coincidences so few questions. SC, you never cease to amaze.