The Board of Trustees, at South Carolina State University, in its current state, is not operating efficiently and is failing miserably at any attempt at positioning SCSU as the leading institution of higher learning, in the 21st century.  Since 2011, South Carolina State University has seen, a former U.S. Attorney hired to conduct an internal investigation into criminal misconduct, the firing of a number of university officials, with the investigator saying he expected some people at South Carolina State University to face prosecution, the departure of a president, legislative efforts to oust the Board and a Trustees' apology to all, for unspecified reasons. A fiscal crisis has compounded problems as the university operates in a new year. The Board of Trustees is ineffective and inefficient. The Board of Trustees at South Carolina State University has failed to perform its primary duties of a board. Additionally, they have shown that they cannot work together to perform the primary tasks of governing and should be removed immediately to save our beloved institution. The South Carolina State University Bylaws states the duties of the board include but are not limited to the following:

1.  Control the process for electing a president - In the past six years, we have had two presidents and three acting or interim presidents and during that time, most institutions have had only one. Each change shocks the school's system.

2.  Elect a Chair,Vice-Chair, and Secretary - The Board lacks the ability to adhere to the Bylaws and complete the simple task of electing a Chair. We currently have two Board members claiming to be Chair, and will need a fourth meeting to simply elect a Chair.

3.  Secure financial resources and serve as an advocate for the university - The Board hasn't raised or acquired any significant revenue or sponsorships for the University.

This Board, in its current state, is divisive and is an embarrassment to the faculty, staff, alumni and community of which it serves and needs to be dismantled immediately in order to restore order and save our university. For years we have had a Board with members who have put their own personal agenda and self interest above the greater good of the university and can no longer govern themselves. This Board has no credibility. The constituents and stakeholders of SCSU have lost all confidence in this Board.

Next Step: The current South Carolina State Bylaws outlines the regular term of office for each Trustee, elected by the General Assembly, shall be four years each and until their successors are elected and qualify. Let's act now by signing this petition to demand that our Legislature move swiftly and remove all board members who have currently served four years or more and replace them with a "qualified" successor. The Trustees that need to be removed immediately are:  Maurice Washington (member since July 2001); Linda Edwards-Duncan (member since July 2004); John Corbit (member since June 2001); Jonathan Pinson (member since June 2005); Robert Nance (member since May 2008); and Walter Tobin (member since May 2008).

It is time we demand that our Legislature move with urgency and purpose to create a Board of Trustees that is qualified, competent and committed to moving the University forward and will put the interest of our students ahead of their personal agenda. We need a group of Trustees who will work together to perform the duties of a Board member. In the past few months, we have had numerous negative media reports, because of Trustee antics, that have cast a negative light on our beloved Alma Mater. We can do better and we must stand together and fight to save our University! Please sign this petition to show your support in getting these board members removed. There is power in numbers so let's unite and show our Govenor and Legislature we want action now! Saving SCSU from becoming a failed institution...