SC State University Keeps Its Accreditation

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State University found out Thursday it gets to keep its accreditation, but will remain on probation for up to another year as it deals with financial problems. Losing accreditation would have essentially closed the school, since students cannot get federal financial aid to go to a school that's not accredited.

“SC State University is open for business and we are here to stay,” said acting president Dr. W. Franklin Evans. The school was already on probation for non-compliance on governance and financial issues.

The school's financial problems go back years, blamed on mismanagement, falling enrollment and less state funding. James E. Clark, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees, said the problems and probation caused enrollment to fall even more, making the situation worse. "Yes, it has had some effect, but that's in the past,” he said Thursday. “We're looking forward to the things that we are doing in a most positive way to make this an even more exciting place for the students to come."

The Board of Trustees fired president Thomas Elzey in March, and then state lawmakers passed a bill that Gov. Nikki Haley signed in May to fire the entire board. The permanent board was replaced with a temporary, fix-it board. The newly appointed board has met twice.

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