The South Carolina State University Board of Trustees meeting was packed to overflowing Thursday with alumni demanding to know the truth behind rumors that the board is preparing to oust President Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr.

Board Chairman Maurice Washington offered the alumni no answers during the meeting, saying he would send a letter to National Alumni President Patricia Lott. But he did acknowledge he took a verbal beating during the meeting.

"I'm happy my wife and kids weren't here. That's the dad and husband that they know that took a nice little whopping today," Washington said after the alumni voiced their concerns.

Washington did not acknowledge that a move to oust Hugine was in the works, but he did say alumni concerns will be taken to heart.

Lott outlined a number of questions regarding the rumors she asked for the board to address. She said that on Nov. 6, Washington approached her and others, including state Sen. John Matthews and state Rep. Jerry Govan, about possibly removing Hugine.

Hugine, whose contract expires in June, had no comment on the situation, according to S.C. State spokeswoman Erica Prioleau.

The rumors first emerged about three weeks ago, when e-mails began circulating that the board had secretly voted to remove Hugine, a charge which Washington denies.

Washington said the trustees will respond to Lott's questions, which were compiled from alumni, in writing. Citing the Christmas holidays and upcoming commencement ceremony, Washington did not give a definitive timetable to answer the questions.

Trustee Charles Williams said he has had a wonderful relationship with Hugine and that he is not looking for a new president.

"For the first time, I'm starting to see something happen," Williams said about the progress of the university under Hugine.

Trustee Col. John Bowden was the only other board member to speak directly on the matter, echoing Williams' sentiments. Bowden also suggested that each trustee should have input in answering Lott's questions.

Lott requested her presentation take place in executive session, but Washington said that request could not be met because it did not cover personnel, legal or contractual matters. State law requires matters be discussed in public at public meetings, except for a few narrow issues.

Lott said she was not pleased that the board did not answer her questions or other alumni's concerns during the meeting.

"I felt that the questions we did ask were questions that could have been answered, but I will respect their request," she said.

Lott told the board that her concerns were about the presidency, not necessarily the individual holding the office. She said that during her 20 years of involvement with the university, that four presidents have been fired. Lott said she believes that Hugine is doing what he is being allowed to do.

Orangeburg County Councilman and alumnus Willie B. Owens said he desires stability and an end to personal vendettas at S.C. State. He believes that the board should deal with policy and not idiosyncrasies.

Then looking directly at Washington, he said, "When you start making the decisions for the president, you usurp the power of the president."

But S.C. State student Whitney McCray said the alumni were teaching the next generation to bicker with each other.

"If we would have had a scholarship meeting, only half of you would be here. This is no longer about you, this is about us. Our interest is the most important, what happened to 'A New State of Mind?'" she said in reference to the university's new motto.

Former S.C. State Board Chairman Anthony Grant told the board facts are facts and that it wants to oust Hugine.

"I hope you would reconsider that. Mr. Chairman, I hope you will find it in your heart to find some common ground," Grant said. Grant told the board if it has any problems, it needs to work them out. He also labeled the rumors as wake up and rallying call for alumni.

Govan, an S.C. State alumnus, attended the meeting, saying he was hoping to find some answers to the rumors swirling around Hugine. However, Govan said what he heard at the meeting did not clear up anything.

"I have grave concerns if the allegations are true. I hope the board will bring some clarity to this. If it is not true, they should come forward. We don't need any distractions," Govan said.

John Funny, an alumnus and CEO of Grice and Associates, told the board he cancelled a trip to Dubai to be at the meeting Thursday. Funny paralleled the situation surrounding the rumors to the Iraq war.

Funny feels that America's international reputation has been compromised due to the Iraq war, much in the same way S.C. State's reputation is being compromised by the unresolved rumors.

"It damages lives, it damages the university. I need information. As of yet I haven't gotten it," Funny said. He also went to state if the board could not produce any answers, members should tender their resignations.

Carolyn Harris Brown, a 1954 graduate, called S.C. State her home and said she is not happy with what is occurring there.

Brown said that last year, she requested the board answer some of her questions regarding her donations to the university. Brown claimed her request was never answered and asked Lott to make sure she does receive a response to her questions.

Washington asked Brown to restate for the record what her concerns are. Brown replied, "It's in the minutes."

After all the alumni spoke, Washington said, "We are a transparent body that puts the interest of SCSU first. We appreciate the loyal sons and daughters of SCSU for expressing their concerns."

During a break from the board meeting, Washington added that as the chairman of the board he handles the good, the bad and the ugly. He said he is truly at peace with himself and, like any leader, he gets clobbered for the bad and never recognized for the good.

Trustees later met in closed, executive session for three hours. They took no action afterward.

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

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