SC

Letter: Time For Clarity On S.C. State

Dear Editor, It is time the state of South Carolina defines the purpose and role of South Carolina State University. There are no measures that show productive output for the students, potential employers, or the state that justify this extreme allocation of resources that would more efficiently benefit students of…

Dear Editor,

It is time the state of South Carolina defines the purpose and role of South Carolina State University.

There are no measures that show productive output for the students, potential employers, or the state that justify this extreme allocation of resources that would more efficiently benefit students of all races at any of the other public universities in the state.

Consider the numbers: Enrollment at S.C. State was 4,933 in 2007. It dropped 41 percent to 2,937 in the fall of 2013. Admissions standards have continuously eroded, with the mean SAT score of 799, significantly lower than any other four-year public institution in South Carolina.

The NCLEX-RN Passing Rate for S.C. State graduates over the past 4 years is 44 percent (63 of 145). The average for the other 12 institutions in South Carolina offering RN-BSN degrees is 91 percent (8067 0f 9801).

Yet despite the data, Palmetto State taxpayers fund S.C. State at a rate more than double that of the average for the other nine comprehensive teaching institutions.

SAT DATA (FALL 2013)

Clemson University – 1254
USC-Columbia – 1212
College of Charleston – 1153
The Citadel – 1079
Winthrop University – 1037
Coastal Carolina University – 1004
USC-Aiken – 986
Lander University – 979
USC-Upstate – 972
Francis Marion University – 942
USC-Beaufort – 931
South Carolina State University – 799

Source: S.C. Commission on Higher Education

APPROPRIATION PER STUDENT

S.C. State University – $4,241.59
The Citadel – $3,310.51
Francis Marion – $3,220.03
Winthrop – $2,711.19
Lander – $2,232.32
USC Aiken – $2,067.02
AVERAGE – $2,009.01
College of Charleston – $1,877.12
USC Upstate – $1,723.97
USC Beaufort – $1,536.25
Coastal Carolina – $1,028.05

Source: S.C. Commission on Higher Education

The numbers above do not include the $6 million loan given to SC State in April to pay past due bills and payroll. S.C. State trustee Katon Dawson stated this spring that the state would be liable for $90 million in defaulted bonds and outstanding bills if the school fails.

Sincerely,

“Johnny College”

***

SIC SEZ

sic

“Johnny”: These are great stats.  Thank you for taking the time to gather this information and put pen to paper.  FITS has obviously voiced its opinion as to what should happen to S.C. State, but it’s always good to have data supporting one’s contention. Keep the letters coming … we’ll be happy to print any insights you may have regarding “higher education” in South Carolina.

Related posts

SC

South Carolina Mayor Dead Following Car Crash

Will Folks
SC

Palmetto Past & Present: How Columbia Became the Confederacy’s Currency Capital

Mark Powell
SC

Catherine Templeton: Stopping The Weaponization Of South Carolina’s Judicial System

FITSForum

31 comments

SCBlues July 20, 2014 at 4:03 pm

You certainly have a preoccupation with SC State – or should I say SC State-Hood . . .

Reply
Nick July 20, 2014 at 4:12 pm

SC State does have a purpose. Just ask Senator Leatherman how much he and his affiliated business made from SC State over the last 7 years. And ask him how much the changes by the Blue Ribbon Panel will make him (and his friends).

Oh yea, SC State has a purpose.

Reply
Bible Thumper July 20, 2014 at 5:25 pm

They also serve to strengthen Clemson’s football schedule. ;-)

Reply
CNSYD July 21, 2014 at 9:37 am

Similar to Furman on USC’s?

Reply
Luther July 21, 2014 at 8:36 pm

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Reply
Bible Thumper July 21, 2014 at 8:42 pm

Thanks. I took your advise. I feel a lot better now.

Reply
Squishy123 July 20, 2014 at 4:42 pm

799??? Don’t you get 800 just for putting your names on the forms?

Reply
Bible Thumper July 20, 2014 at 5:17 pm

The lowest score possible on each section is a 200 for total of 400.

Reply
Squishy123 July 20, 2014 at 7:14 pm

So if one fills out in a pattern such as A,B,C,D,C,B,A… he could probably score high enough to get into SCSU.

Reply
Bible Thumper July 20, 2014 at 7:38 pm

No. Partial points are subtracted for wrong answer, but not for blank questions. If you can eliminate one of five choices, then there is an advantage to guessing.

Reply
Robert July 20, 2014 at 10:05 pm

An 800 SAT scores equates to an IQ less than 95, or the bottom third of the population. Serious conversations need to be held about attempting to “educate” this population as compared to providing training so they can learn a skill.

Reply
shifty henry July 21, 2014 at 8:21 am

True, but only if their name is spelled correctly…..

Reply
The Colonel July 20, 2014 at 4:47 pm

Just for information’s sake, the SAT averages is for the math and verbal portion only.

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein July 22, 2014 at 5:40 am

Very few HBCUs (Benedict, Allen, and Morris included) require an SAT score.

So…uh..what do they require?

Reply
Nikki's Fine Ass July 22, 2014 at 7:22 am

The reality is the market has run its course for HBCUs. Blacks that can get into other universities realize that
other degrees have market value, and the value of a HBCU diploma is about the same as toilet paper.

Reply
The Colonel July 22, 2014 at 7:30 am

A check for the full amount of tuition + room and board (or the ability to get grants, aid, scholarships or loans for that amount)

Reply
Calvin Claflin July 20, 2014 at 6:31 pm

The state is going to lose a ton of money no matter what. Bite the bullet and close it now.

Reply
Scooter July 20, 2014 at 7:27 pm

Bulldoze it and plant cotton.

Reply
Scrappy July 20, 2014 at 10:40 pm

It would not matter if the cost and performance statistics that SCSU produces were twice as bad. The House will not do jack shit about it! The board of trustees will scream racism if it’s even mentioned. Business as usual in Columbia. Just keep sending more and more of your money to Columbia, they will spend it wisely.

Reply
Thomas July 21, 2014 at 1:55 am

James Clyburn

Reply
Edgar July 21, 2014 at 8:11 am

“Like”

Reply
Politicio July 21, 2014 at 12:49 pm

Are we really serving the young people of South Carolina in the best manner possible if we close a facility that is geared toward providing higher education? I believe that reforms are necessary, but the school should not shut its doors. Will it cost money? Yes. But it’s a far better investment for the future of South Carolina than many other projects state government has allocated resources towards. Maybe it can instead become a satellite campus for USC or another state supported university. In my opinion, closing it down doesn’t seem like the best option. Any facility that helps to educate the people of SC and make them into successful citizens is a good thing for our state. Who knows, maybe these students will be future lawmakers one day.

Reply
Elfego July 21, 2014 at 1:48 pm

We serve only The Democrat Party and the rest of the racist,lazy uninformed illegitimate population of America!

Reply
Soft Sigh from Hell July 21, 2014 at 7:02 pm

“Enrollment at S.C. State was 4,933 in 2007. It dropped 41 percent to 2,937 in the fall of 2013.”
“APPROPRIATION PER STUDENT
[TOP] S.C. State University – $4,241.59”

To be fair, these are probably restatements of a single problem. If enrollment drops quickly, per student costs go up. It costs a certain amount just to keep the lights on.

And SATs? So what? Someone has to be last in any list. What is the significance of the actual number?

How does SCSU compare with the tech schools? Is the real gripe that it gets to be called a university? Good Lord, Lander gets to be called a university now. Do any “colleges” still exist.

SCSU has so much legitimately to criticize, and maybe it should be a branch or USC (or Clemson, as SCSU is an extension school), but it has to be clear that the problem is with the board, administration, and pols and predators who bedevil it.

The several professors I have met (sciences mainly) have been quite impressive, and I am familiar with related faculty at USC, Clemson, C of C, and The Citadel by which to compare.
How about throwing out the elevated dregs first. Pinson was a good start.

Reply
Flusher July 21, 2014 at 11:50 pm

It’s a turd. Flush it.

Reply
Robert July 22, 2014 at 8:32 am

The letter starts by stating it is time the state to define the purpose and role of the university. You seem to be defending the state continuously throwing funding and resources into a bottomless pit instead of making a plan with measureable objectives. I don’t understand your point.

Reply
Soft Sigh from Hell July 22, 2014 at 6:09 pm

“You seem to be . . .”

You seem to be reading words that are not there.

“it is time the state to define the purpose and role of the university”

I agree totally. I would include The Citadel (“a dude factory” — B. Tillman) while we’re at it. The latter should probably be a branch campus of C of C (or maybe Clemson’s Charleston campus).

Reply
Robert July 24, 2014 at 3:46 am

I still do understand what you are saying. The article argues to close SC State due to extreme financial mismanagement and position, combined with low standdars and production. The Citadel is not financially insolvent. The Citadel’s average SAT is nearly 300 points higher than SC State’s. Do you just have a personal bias against the Citadel? Your statements do not seem to be based on the facts.

Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein July 22, 2014 at 5:38 am

SCSU:
Publicly financed diploma mill run by thieves and grifters. Exists in a niche where any legitimate criticism can be labeled “Racissssssss!”.

Reply
xemry July 23, 2014 at 4:15 am

Yes, let’s ignore the students that graduate and go on to have productive careers…

Reply
Robert July 23, 2014 at 9:24 pm

According to Wikipedia there are 61 colleges and universities in SC. Close this disaster and let students graduate from more efficient and productive universities and go on and have productive careers.

Reply

Leave a Comment