Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The Senate assembled at 11:00 A.M., the hour to which it stood adjourned and was called to order by the ACTING PRESIDENT, Senator LANDER.

SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Committee To Screen Candidates
For Boards of Trustees
Of State Colleges and Universities

MEMORANDUM TO: Clerk of the Senate

Clerk of the House
RE: Transcripts of Hearings

In compliance with the provisions of Act 119 of 1975, it is respectfully requested that the following information be printed in the Journals of the Senate and the House.

Respectfully submitted,
Eugene C. Stoddard
Chairman

Pursuant to Act 119 of 1975, the Committee to Screen Candidates for Boards and Trustees of State Colleges and Universities was convened to consider the qualifications of candidates seeking to fill certain positions on boards of trustees of the state's colleges and universities. The committee conducts such investigation of each candidate as it deems appropriate and reports its findings to the General Assembly prior to the election. It is not the function of the committee to recommend one candidate over another or to suggest to the individual legislator for whom to vote. The purpose of the committee is instead to determine whether a candidate is qualified and under the statute, the committee's determination in that regard is not binding upon the General Assembly.

Eight candidates who were under consideration at the time of the hearings are discussed in this report. The candidates are:

Lander University
William G. "Bill" Stevens

Winthrop University
Robert L. Thompson, Jr.

Clemson University
Darra Cothran
Charles E. Dalton
Patricia H. "Patti" McAbee
John Q. Adams, III

Francis Marion University
James R. Courie
Terry Williams

Members Present:
Representative Stoddard, Clyborne and Inabinett
Senators MaCaulay, Glover and Wilson

Mr. Stoddard: Good morning ladies and gentlemen. We have had a couple of problems this morning relative to staff attendance and paper reproduction, and trust that we can overcome them. First, we have two candidates who are unopposed - Mr. Stevens seeking a position on the Lander University Board and Mr. Thompson seeking a position on the Winthrop Board.
Mr. Clyborne: Mr. Chairman, I move that we waive screening according to the statute on these two candidates and find them qualified for the position they seek.
Mr. MaCaulay: Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
Mr. Stoddard: You have heard the motion and second. All in favor, say aye; opposed no. The ayes have it. You two candidates may seek pledges as you deem necessary and may now be excused. We appreciate the services that you are rendering to your boards and your desire to continue to do so.
Mr. Thompson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Stoddard: Next, we will go to the Clemson Board. Our first candidate will be Mr. John Q. Adams, III. Mr. Adams, will you please take the stand and raise your right hand?
Mr. Adams was sworn in by Mr. Stoddard.
Q. Do you have any health-related problems that the screening committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in a full capacity?
A. No, sir.
Q. Considering your present occupation and other activities, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that present a conflict of interest because of your service on the board?
A. No, sir; none that I am aware of.
Q. Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that, if elected to the board, would cause you to violate the dual office holding clause of the Constitution?
A. No, sir.
Mr. Stoddard: Any questions of Mr. Adams?
Mr. Inabinett: Mr. Adams, will you tell us briefly what expertise you expect to bring to the board?
Mr. Adams: Yes, sir. I am a nuclear engineer at Charleston Naval Shipyard and I believe I have some background in technical fields and of course, one of the visions at Clemson is to become the leading technologically-oriented land-grant university in our country. So I feel that my skills in engineering would lend itself to the board. Also, my work in the nuclear field would be something unique for the board. With the nuclear facilities in Charleston and Savannah River, I think I would be of some help in those areas.
Mr. Inabinett: Thank you.
Mr. Stoddard: Any other questions of Mr. Adams? (None) Thank you Mr. Adams.
Mr. Adams: Thank you.
Mr. Stoddard: Our next candidate is Ms. Cothran.
Ms. Cothran was sworn in by Mr. Stoddard.
Q. Do you have any health-related problems that the screening committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in a full capacity?
A. No, sir.
Q. Considering your present occupation and other activities, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that present a conflict of interest because of your service on the board?
A. I plan to resign from Richland County Planning Commission.
Q. Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that, if elected to the board, would cause you to violate the dual office holding clause of the constitution?
A. I would resign as a lobbyist.
Mr. Stoddard: Any questions of Ms. Cothran?
Mr. Inabinett: I ask the same question that I asked the previous candidate.
Ms. Cothran: Yes, sir. I am a practicing attorney and have been for twenty years. There is no practicing attorney on the Clemson Board. I think that brings some expertise to the board which is needed since college boards seem to get in trouble these days and I want to make sure that ours does not. I am also a banker, being chair of the board of the bank at McBee Bethune, having a financial background. I think that my legal and financial background will be of interest to the board. I also think that my perspective as a woman, as an alumni, and as a mother will bring a perspective that has not been on the board, and I hope to use my talents or any that I have, to further the purposes of Clemson in its' contingency field.
Mr. Inabinett: Thank you.
Ms. Cothran: Thank you.
Mr. Stoddard: Thank you, Ms. Cothran. Our next candidate is Mr. Dalton.
Mr. Dalton was sworn in by Mr. Stoddard.
Q. Do you have any health-related problems that the screening committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in a full capacity?
A. No, sir.
Q. Considering your present occupation and other activities, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that present a conflict of interest because of your service on the board?
A. No, sir; none that I am aware of.
Q. Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that, if elected to the board, would cause you to violate the dual office holding clause of the Constitution?
A. No, sir.
Mr. Stoddard: Any questions of Mr. Dalton?
Mr. Inabinett: I would like to ask the same questions as before.
Mr. Dalton: I have a background of public service-having served eight (8) years on the Pickens City Council, answering to voters, being concerned with their best interest, also serving two terms on a state commission, again being sensitive to interest of and responsibility to the General Assembly. I think that background, plus my other occupations-having been a home builder for seventeen (17) years, currently serving as General Manager of Blue Ridge Electric Coop; I have a background in managerial experience, financial matters, dealing with employees, history of public service, history of managerial skills certainly would be something I would bring to that board with a sensitivity to the General Assembly tax structure.
Mr. Inabinett: Thank you.
Mr. Stoddard: Any other questions of Mr. Dalton? (None) Thank you Mr. Dalton. Our next candidate is Mrs. McAbee.
Mr. Stoddard swore in Mrs. McAbee.
Q. Do you have any health-related problems that the Screening Committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in a full capacity?
A. No, sir.
Q. Considering your present occupation and other activities, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that present a conflict of interest because of your service on the board?
A. No, sir; none that I am aware of.
Q. Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that, if elected to the board, would cause you to violate the dual office holding clause of the Constitution?
A. No, sir.
Mr. Stoddard: Any questions?
Mr. Inabinett: I have the same question of you, Mrs. McAbee.
Mrs. McAbee: Thank you, sir. Yes, the reason I am running for the board is that, to the citizens of South Carolina, I offer several things to the State of South Carolina in seeking service on the Board of Trustees. Primarily, I am running from the perspective of a woman. That perspective has never been represented and I feel very qualified to represent that perspective, bringing that to the Board of Trustees. My background is in the arts, the program at Clemson University is starting to become the most outstanding technological-oriented university in the nation; and with that, there is a definite need for balance in the area of liberal arts to make sure that an education is well rounded and the very best that it can be. Currently there's no representation on the board for the liberal arts schools, and I would like to serve South Carolina by making that perspective available to it. I strongly believe in the mission of Clemson University and serve on various community government organizations in the region in which I live. I feel very qualified to bring that perspective of development in community service to the Clemson University Board.
Mr. Inabinett: Thank you very much.
Mr. Stoddard: Any other questions? (None) Thank you.
Mrs. McAbee: Thank you.
Mr. Stoddard: That completes the Clemson candidates.
Mr. Wilson: Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Stoddard: Yes.
Mr. Wilson: Traditionally, we have been given the economic interest and the reports from various law enforcement agencies as to backgrounds and I believe we have gotten reports from the Clerks of Court as to potential judgments or whatever may have been filed against individuals who are applying. Do we have any of that information?
Mr. Stoddard: I have that in original form only. All candidates are clear.
Mr. Wilson: All clear?
Mr. Stoddard: And so were Clerks of Court. No judgments and no criminal records on all candidates.
Mr. Wilson: Of everybody who has applied? That's really where I wanted to verify.
Mr. Stoddard: All of them. I really have to apologize about the reproductions. As I stated at the beginning, we will take a few minutes to view the originals.
Mr. Wilson: If we could pass those around while the people are here, that would be helpful.
(Papers are distributed)
(Five minutes later)
Mr. Stoddard: Ready to proceed? Our next candidate is for Francis Marion---James R. Courie.
Mr. Stoddard swore in Mr. Courie.
Q. Do you have any health-related problems that the screening committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in a full capacity?
A. No, sir.
Q. Considering your present occupation and other activities, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that present a conflict of interest because of your service on the board?
A. No, sir; none that I am aware of.
Q. Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that, if elected to the board, would cause you to violate the dual office holding clause of the Constitution?
A. No, sir.
Mr. Inabinett: I have the same question that I had for the other candidates.
Mr. Courie: I think I bring a couple of different things to the board. From the personal level, I grew up in that area. I'm originally from Marion, a very small town in the Pee Dee community. I have a very great understanding of what that college is; what that university now means to the area. I grew up as the college grew. The college meant a lot to me. It was my family, and I have family members that attend the school, and I see the importance of the community. I went to school there and law school here at the University of South Carolina. I would like to think that being a boarding student I offer something in that area of expertise. I think my age would offer something as well. Francis Marion is a younger school. I've been a graduate for almost ten years now. The school has changed a tremendous amount during the first ten years and a tremendous amount during the last ten years. I think we will see more change during the next ten years. Florence is a growing spot that is rapidly growing and developing. I think the university can grow and develop right along with it. I would like to bring that perspective to the board.
Mr. Inabinett: Thank you.
Mr. Stoddard: Senator Wilson?
Mr. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, I am delighted to see that we've got two fine people from this community who want to serve on the Francis Marion University Board. I have a personal interest in that I have a freshman who is attending the University and the concern that I would like to express is that there were articles in the paper last year concerning the low percent age of students who completed colleges and universities in South Carolina within a four year period. The only college or university that had a very high graduation rate was The Citadel, I know it as a parent and as a citizen of this State, I am concerned about students completing in four years and I wanted to ask you how you felt about that and would you, if elected, work to try to increase the graduation rate within a four-year period.
Mr. Courie: I would certainly want to work on the graduation rate. I share your concerns. I saw the same article you saw and I wonder what are the reasons for that; is it people have the mentality that you should graduate in four years? Is that part of the problem? Or are we not doing enough during those four years, maybe even during those first two years to make sure those people get on the right track. I certainly understand your concerns greatly. I would work very hard to increase that.
Mr. Wilson: Thank you very much.
Mr. Stoddard: Mr. Courie, I notice on your ethics report that you were employed by the Senate.
Mr. Courie: No, sir. My wife was employed by the Senate at one point last year; my wife is also an attorney.
Mr. Stoddard: I see.
Mr. Courie: I'm in her law firm and I was not sure if that was what was being asked in that question, but in the abundance of caution I wanted to put it down.
Mr. Stoddard: Thank you. I appreciate that. Senator?
Mr. Glover: Yes, Mr. Courie? Quite recently on the campus African-American students have had some complaints about representation at the faculty level and student involvement. As a trustee, what would do about the situation?
Mr. Courie: Senator, that is kind of difficult to answer. Having been away from the people for a few years, I was there less than ten years ago and there were, I don't want to say problems, but there were similar situations. Francis Marion over the last ten years has had a bit of a problem, not with racial relations, I wouldn't say, but for attracting good minority students and I think there needs to be more done to attract minority students. I really am not familiar exactly with what problems specifically there are. During the time I was there, I thought the relations were really pretty good and I would hope that it would still be the same way and I would certainly share your concerning interests if that were not the case. Specifically, I could not really say but that I would want to do everything possible to make it a good place for all students.
Mr. Inabinett: You used the statement "good minority students." Can you qualify that statement?
Mr. Courie: Well, I didn't mean anything by that other than, I think what, that I was just trying to say, was I don't know if there was not as many minority students applying to the school or what the level was but I just remembered while I was a student there, there was an act of concentration to recruit minority students. I guess what I was saying was qualified minority students, whatever the qualifications of the university are, I, obviously, I am not involved in that process and I don't know what it is.
Mr. Inabinett: Thank you, sir.
Mr. Stoddard: Thank you, Mr. Inabinett. Thank you, Mr. Courie. Next we have K. A. Williams from Francis Marion.
Mr. Williams is sworn in.
Q. Do you have any health-related problems that the screening committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in full capacity?
A. No, sir.
Q. Considering your present occupation and other activities, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that present a conflict of interest because of your service on the board?
A. No, sir; none that I am aware of.
Q. Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that, if elected to the board, would cause you to violate the dual office holding clause of the constitution?
A. No, sir.
Mr. Inabinett: Previous question.
Mr. Williams: Well, as Mr. Courie alluded, I'm from Florence originally. I grew up in Florence and I went to school in Florence. I went to college in Florence. I went to Francis Marion between 1973 and 1977, so I really saw it from its infancy. It became a college in 1970, and I've watched it grow over the last 22 years. According to what I think, bring to the board, I am a practicing CPA here. I also own my own business. I think I could bring to the board a financial background to help the university and the State as a whole. As far as the development of the college, I've watched it with parents and a lot of relatives. I keep a pulse on Florence as a community and as a college. There are a lot of things changing with Hoffman/Roach Plant coming. There is so much opportunity for the college to get with businesses and have a quote "business partnership." That would help enhance the college and help put our students at a competitive edge over other states-I mean other states' colleges and universities and that's what I think I could bring to the board.
Mr. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, same question that I asked Mr. Courie. Again, I'm very concerned with low graduation rates within a four-year period and I'd like to know your view of that and do you have any suggestions on how that could be improved?
Mr. Williams: Well, after I read the article, Senator Wilson, I was upset, too. So, I talked to Dr. Joe Heyward down at the college, who is in charge of programs and the statistics. As I understand, it was based on people who started and completed within four years, so as far as statistics there could have been some distortion in that a lot of people are there for five years and maybe part time, so the graduation rate may not have been indicative or an exact amount because it was based on a four-year program. Starting and completing it in a four-year period and with a lot of part-time students, you are going to have more than four-year students there. But at the same time, I'm concerned I made the phone call as soon as I read the article because when I tell the people that I graduated from Francis Marion I want them to know and say gosh "He went to Francis Marion University." It's kind of got to break the grid and when students graduate from there and they start applying for jobs, that's what I want them to hear, too. They go and they say, I'm from Francis Marion University, I want people to say I know they've got a good background, they've got a good education, and yes, I'm concerned for it.
Mr. Wilson: Thank you.
Mr. Stoddard: Senator Glover?
Mr. Glover: Yes, my question is pretty much the same, too. In terms of faculty, we've got a problem, what would you do. I mention this because the person, Dr. Heyward, is the active provost and that was one of the things that the students mentioned in their complaint. Right now we don't have anyone in administration and very, very few faculty members. What do you think could be done about that, if anything?
Mr. Williams: Well, I was kind of surprised because it didn't hit The State paper but my mother-in-law sent the article that was in the Florence paper and I was a little surprised when I saw it, so, again, I got on the phone and, as a matter of fact, I talked to Dr. Stanton and asked him what the problem was. They were unaware, in essence. They didn't know that much was going to occur and I believe that they would have taken the action had the people come to them first and discussed it with them, but I did talk to Dr. Heyward and because he's kind of acting provost as well as Dean of Students right now. He wants to be Dean of Students, I mean he said that's what he likes, but there is a problem we need to address because I asked Dr. Heyward as far as the screening process are we getting minority applicants for the faculty and stuff, and he said he was part of the screening process and he could not tell me any details but I believe the college is working toward it; yes, it came out in the paper-any time you get publicity that looks adverse. I think that people will take action, yet something needs to be done about it. I believe the college is taking positive steps. The board of trustees there is going to have to get involved in the process, too. But, I think the college will make positive steps toward it. It's been brought to light. It might not have been brought to light like they would have liked it to but the problem's out there-now it has to be addressed.
Mr. Stoddard: Any other questions?
Thank you, Mr. Williams. That concludes the screening of all the candidates for today.
Mr. Macaulay: Mr. Chairman, I make the motion that the four candidates for the Clemson Board of Trustees and the two candidates for the Francis Marion University Board of Trustees be approved as passing the screening process for this committee.
Mr. Inabinett: I second that.
Mr. Stoddard: Senator Macaulay moves that the report of all candidates be favorable, seconded by Rep. Inabinett. All in favor, say aye; all opposed, say no. Ayes have it; thank you for coming, ladies and gentlemen. We appreciate your interest in serving your institution of your choice. Wish all of you luck. You may proceed to seek pledges.

This committee has investigated each of the candidates, has conducted one day of public hearings, and has duly considered the legal qualifications of each of the applicants. Based thereon, the committee makes a favorable report on:

Mr. William G. "Bill" Stevens
Mr. James R. Courie
Mr. Terry Williams
Mr. Charles E. Dalton
Mrs. Patricia H. "Pattie" McAbee
Mr. John Q. Adams, III
Mrs. Darra Cothran
Mr. Robert L. Thompson

All the candidates making personal appearances before the committee, as noted earlier, are reported favorable and found qualified as candidates for election to the boards of trustees of the state's schools, colleges, and universities.

Respectfully submitted,
Rep. Eugene C. Stoddard, Chm. Senator Alex S. MaCaulay, V. Chm.
Senator Warren K. Giese Rep. Jennings G. McAbee
Senator Maggie W. Glover Rep. Curtis B. Inabinett
Senator Addison "Joe" G. Wilson Rep. H. Howell Clyborne, Jr.

(At the direction of the Clerk, the report was ordered printed in the Journal.)

The following Bill was read the third time and having received three readings in both Houses, it was ordered that the title be changed to that of an Act and enrolled for Ratification:

H. 3671 -- Rep. Spearman: A BILL TO ABOLISH THE SALUDA COUNTY MEDICAL BUILDING BOARD AND DEVOLVE ALL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD UPON THE SALUDA COUNTY COUNCIL AND TO REPEAL ACT 810 OF 1946 AND ACT 1116 OF 1960 RELATING TO THE CREATION, COMPOSITION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD.

(By prior motion of Senator LANDER)

At 11:20 A.M., on motion of Senator RYBERG, the Senate adjourned to meet next Tuesday, March 23, 1993, at 12:00 Noon.

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