Some lawmakers are saying South Carolina State University President Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr. was a positive influence on the community and the Board of Trustees' decision to dismiss him was unwarranted.

Now they're considering what options they may have available to address the situation.

State Rep. John Scott, an S.C. State alumnus, said some action may be taken against the board when lawmakers return to Columbia early next year.

Scott said a number of ideas concerning S.C. State's board have been floating around among elected officials. He said some are calling for the resignation of Board Chairman Maurice Washington and other trustees following Hugine's removal.

On Tuesday, trustees voted to not renew Hugine's contract, which expires in June. They also placed him on administrative leave, with his last day scheduled for Jan. 4, 2008.

Scott said, "We as elected officials are very concerned about the institution. The question is do we have a board that is capable of running the institution? The answer I keep coming back with is no."

According to Scott, ideas being considered include abolishing the board, reconstructing the board and asking some members to resign. He emphasized that any discussions are in their infancy.

State Sen. Robert Ford said he and other lawmakers tried to convince the board not to remove Hugine. According to Ford, those overtures were met with deaf ears.

"They told Jim Clyburn to go to hell. They told John Matthews, Jerry Govan and John Scott to go to hell," Ford said.

Hugine, "was on the verge of becoming one of the best presidents in SCSU history," Ford said.

Ford fears that Hugine's departure could create instability at the university, paving the way for the General Assembly to consider folding S.C. State into the University of South Carolina.

Alumnus and state Sen. John Matthews said the events of the last few days were unfortunate and he does not know of any reasons that would ju.jpgy letting Hugine go. Matthews said the decision jeopardizes the university's ability to capitalize on the surge of economic development occurring along the Interstate 95 corridor in the county.

Matthews said he and other lawmakers met with Board of Trustees Chairman Maurice Washington in November when rumors began circulating that Hugine was being ousted. The dialogue centered around what the board could do to resolve the issues with Hugine, and Matthews said the group indicated that a move to get rid of Hugine would be detrimental to S.C. State.

A month later, Matthews and others have seen their fears confirmed.

"I don't see how it can help them going against alumni and the General Assembly," he said.

Matthews said he does not know if Hugine's exit from S.C. State would limit the school's ability to obtain state funding but added, "Anytime you have an unstable perception, it will hurt."

State Rep. Jerry Govan, also an alumnus, said that the situation has already caused a ripple effect in Columbia. He described Hugine as a likeable person and said he had a good rapport with legislators.

Govan said a joint study group meeting between S.C. State and Frances Marion University to address issues along I-95 was cancelled as a result of Hugine's removal. He also said agreements with firms considering S.C. State for research opportunities might be compromised due to the board's action Tuesday.

State Sen. Brad Hutto called Hugine an excellent president. He said in his dealings with Hugine, he was nothing but professional and said he was positive for the school, the students and Orangeburg as a whole.

"Everything I've heard about him as a person, a family man and his professional activities was top-notch," said Hutto. Hutto called the circumstances under which Hugine was removed shocking and unsettling.

State Rep. Bakari Sellers was also unequivocal in his support of Hugine, saying that he did wonders for S.C. State.

Like other lawmakers, Sellers could not say that the trustees' actions would harm their chances for reelection in the General Assembly, but he said they will be held accountable.

S.C. State trustees are elected by the General Assembly and serve four-year terms.

"I can't say they will be replaced, the General Assembly will look closer," Sellers said. He believes the students were happy under Hugine and that the board has lost its focus on cultivating young men and women.

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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