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
“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.
31 comments
You certainly have a preoccupation with SC State – or should I say SC State-Hood . . .
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.
They also serve to strengthen Clemson’s football schedule. ;-)
Similar to Furman on USC’s?
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.
Thanks. I took your advise. I feel a lot better now.
799??? Don’t you get 800 just for putting your names on the forms?
The lowest score possible on each section is a 200 for total of 400.
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.
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.
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.
True, but only if their name is spelled correctly…..
Just for information’s sake, the SAT averages is for the math and verbal portion only.
Very few HBCUs (Benedict, Allen, and Morris included) require an SAT score.
So…uh..what do they require?
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.
A check for the full amount of tuition + room and board (or the ability to get grants, aid, scholarships or loans for that amount)
The state is going to lose a ton of money no matter what. Bite the bullet and close it now.
Bulldoze it and plant cotton.
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.
James Clyburn
“Like”
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.
We serve only The Democrat Party and the rest of the racist,lazy uninformed illegitimate population of America!
“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.
It’s a turd. Flush it.
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.
“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).
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.
SCSU:
Publicly financed diploma mill run by thieves and grifters. Exists in a niche where any legitimate criticism can be labeled “Racissssssss!”.
Yes, let’s ignore the students that graduate and go on to have productive careers…
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.