South Carolina State University alumni U.S. Congressman James Clyburn, state Sens. John Matthews and Robert Ford on Friday offered praise for the job being done by President Andrew Hugine Jr.

In light of reports that the university's board of trustees is attempting to fire Hugine, the three politicos said it appears the current board is micromanaging the president.

"The gentleman who occupies that office (Hugine) is someone I hold in high regard. Even so, if I felt for a minute that he was not keeping faith with the institution, I would tell him so, but that is not the case," Clyburn said of Hugine.

It is Clyburn's personal belief that some board members hold personal vendettas and that any attempt on Hugine's job by the board would not based on facts. The U.S. House majority whip said he questions why SCSU Board Chairman Maurice Washington has taken it upon himself to make phone calls and decisions for the university administration.

"They're supposed to be setting policy," he said. Clyburn said has spoken with at least 50 alumni about the subject and claims none of them supports ousting Hugine.

Washington said there is a gray area between accountability and micromanagement and the board is careful not to cross that line. As the board sets policy, Washington said trustees must monitor and evaluate it to ensure accountability of appropriate individuals, in this case the president.

"Sometimes that gets confused with micromanagement. We feel that as a board that what we are accused of in micromanagement of the university and the president is exactly what is happening to us," Washington said.

Rumors of Hugine's demise began swirling through alumni circles about three weeks ago through a series of e-mail letters. The e-mails suggested the board held a secret meeting in which trustees voted to oust Hugine. Last week during board committee meetings, Washington denied that allegation.

If the rumors are true, Matthews believes it is unfortunate at a time when SCSU is experiencing unprecedented growth in enrollment, building facilities and improving its fund balance.

"I don't see anything to warrant that kind of behavior," said Matthews, the veteran senator from Bowman.

From the standpoint of the university's progress, Matthews said Washington is doing a credible job. However, based on information Matthews has received, Washington has issues with micromanaging and interfering with the administration.

Matthews said he has not seen or heard any evidence to support reports of the board trying to fire Hugine, but he said trustee actions indicate they are planning just such.

Ford, a Charleston senator, was scheduled to speak Thursday at the board meeting where alumni voiced passionate concerns about the rumors surrounding Hugine. Ford claimed his Columbia office only received a letter approving his request to appear before the board from Washington on Thursday, the same day of the meeting. He said he would have made every effort to speak before the board if he had gotten prior notice.

During a break from the Thursday board meeting, Washington said he would have allotted time for Ford if the senator would have shown up and that he mailed the letter to him earlier that week. Ford and SCSU National Alumni President Patricia Lott were on the board agenda to speak Thursday.

Lott and other alumni made appeals to the board to clarify the rumors and come forward during the meeting. Lott read a list of 10 questions compiled from alumni regarding the Hugine rumors. Washington said he and other board members would respond in writing to Lott's concerns.

Ford said that he would have expressed his support for Hugine's presidency. Ford believes Hugine has done a wonderful job and taken the university to the next level. He also credited Hugine's work with garnering the support of the General Assembly, which has granted the university more funding than ever.

"To get rid of Hugine would be disastrous. It would simply set us back a long time," Ford said.

Clyburn responded to rumors that he is unhappy with Hugine over the fact that construction of the James E. Clyburn Transportation Research and Conference Center on SCSU's campus has not gone as fast as hoped.

"None of that is Hugine's fault," he said. Clyburn noted construction could not start until all the money for the first phase of the project was in hand. The first phase is projected to cost $30 million and is now ready to proceed.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com and 803-534-1060.

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