South Carolina General Assembly
114th Session, 2001-2002
Journal of the Senate
Printed Page 1127 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
Friday, March 30, 2001
(Local Session)
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 RYBERG.
REPORT RECEIVED
COMMITTEE TO SCREEN CANDIDATES
FOR BOARDS OF TRUSTEES
OF STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
MEMORANDUM
TO: Clerk of the House
Clerk of the Senate
RE: Transcript of Hearings, March 19, 2001
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,
Olin Phillips
Chairman
Pursuant to Act 119 of 1975, the Committee to Screen Candidates for Boards of 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. The candidates are:
Printed Page 1128 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
The Citadel At-large - one seat
Colonel Dennis J. Rhoad (Charleston)*
Coastal Carolina University Five congressional districts, one At- large 2nd District, Seat 4 Dr. James F. Kane (Columbia)*
3rd District, Seat 6 Mr. William L. Lyles, Jr.(Anderson)*
4th District, Seat 8 Mr. Keith S. Smith (Greer)*
5th District, Seat 10 Mr. Robert D. Brown (Camden)*
6th District, Seat 12 Mrs. Cathy B. Harvin (Summerton)*
At-large, Seat 14 Mr. Dean P. Hudson (Conway)*
College of Charleston One congressional district
4th District, Seat 8 Mrs. Debra Gammons (Greenville)***
Dr. J. H. Corbitt (Greenville)
Mr. W. T. Maynard (Spartanburg)
Mr. Lawrence R. Miller (Greenville)
Francis Marion University Two congressional districts
2nd District, Seat 3 Mr. Bill Ellen (Columbia)
4th District, Seat 7 Mr. L. Franklin Elmore(Greenville)**
South Carolina State Two congressional districts, two at large
5th District, Seat 5 Dr. James W. Sanders (Gaffney)*
6th District, Seat 6 Mr. Maurice Washington (Charleston)
Mr. Jesse J. Williams, Jr. (Greeleyville)
At-large, Seat 8 Mr. Neville Lorick (Columbia)***
At-large, Seat 10 Dr. William C. Clinkscales(Clemson)*
Wil Lou Gray Opportunity At large - four seats
Mrs. Clotilda Diggs(Florence)*
Mr. Russell E. Hart(Roebuck)*
Mr. Dan Smith(Gaffney)*
Mrs. Elizabeth Thrailkill(Fort Lawn)*
Mrs. Donna Bagwell(Greenville)
Mr. Perry Johnson(Garden City)
*Incumbent
**Term to expire 2002
***Governor's Appointee
Printed Page 1129 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
TRUSTEE CANDIDATE SCREENING
Monday, March 19, 2001
10:45 a.m. - 12:58 p.m.
The Candidate Screening was held at the Blatt Building, Room 433, Columbia, South Carolina, before the Committee to Screen Candidates for Boards of Trustees of State Colleges and Universities, on the 19th day of March, 2001 before Christine A. Howell, Court Reporter and Notary Public in and for the State of South Carolina.
APPEARANCES:
SCREENING COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Sen. Addison "Joe" G. Wilson
Sen. Warren K. Giese
Sen. Maggie W. Glover
Rep. Olin Phillips
Rep. Lanny F. Littlejohn
Rep. Jesse Hines
Rep. Becky Martin
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: I'd like to call to order the meeting of the Screening Committee for the College Boards and Universities. Pardon our delay, but we had some things to do here this morning. First of all, I'd like to introduce you to some of our committee members, especially we have a couple new ones. Some of you candidates have come before us before. I see new faces. We have Representative Jesse Hines from Florence. Jesse Hines. And Representative Becky Martin from Anderson. And, of course, on my right is Senator Joe Wilson of Lexington. And I'm Olin Phillips from Cherokee. And our other members will be coming on in hopefully in a few minutes. We're going to start this morning, and I would ask Representative Hines if he would open the meeting with a brief prayer.
(Prayer)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. We want to welcome each one of you. I know at the time all of you are busy to be here to take your time from your schedule. At this time, I would like to ask for a motion from the committee if we would be able to take South Carolina State University out of order first because of a death in one of our beloved constituents from Cherokee in Spartanburg County of Reverend Al Brackett and Reverend J.W. Sanders are participating in the funeral today and he has to back to participate.
SENATOR WILSON: Motion.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: We have a motion. Second?
Printed Page 1130 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: All in favor signify by saying aye.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: No opposed? Okay. At this time then we will go to South Carolina State University, and we have two congressional districts, two at-large seats up for election. And the first candidate we will hear from will be the fifth congressional district, seat five, Dr. J.W. Sanders. Dr. Sanders? Dr. Sanders, if you would raise your right hand, please, sir.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
(Oath administered to Dr. Sanders.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Dr. Sanders, do you have any health problems that the committee should know about that would prevent you from serving your tenure promptly and full time?
DR. SANDERS: Not that I know of, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Would your job in any way, would it constitute a conflict of interest of being elected back to the Board of Trustees?
DR. SANDERS: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: All right, sir. Anyway, has your attendance on the board been accurate and ...
DR. SANDERS: Yes, sir, it has.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. All right, sir. If you would, would you give us an opening statement, sir. You may go ahead and continue.
DR. SANDERS: Thank you. It is my desire to continue serving, and I appreciate the opportunity to come before this committee to make that known on the Board of Trustees there at the South Carolina State University. This would be my third term should I be successful in being re-elected to that position. We've tried to do our best to enhance the image of the college, and also to do the things that were necessary to be done to enhance the lives of the young people that we are entrusted with. And we know that the University itself certainly has such a great legacy that inspires us, often challenged us, especially in this day in time to do what is necessary to be done to help keep that legacy alive and to help the young people that we serve to achieve to the highest of their capabilities and abilities so that they will be able to be viable forces in this 21st century. We do feel that it is important that you have people on the board that will certainly have the interest of the University at heart. And I want to hasten to say that I feel that that is exactly the case now. And the growth that we are experiencing there, the things that we anticipate doing, the challenges that are hurled in our direction all tend to make sure that we will, men and women,
Printed Page 1131 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
will do those things that will help to make that University what it has been and ought to be, and looking forward to the progressing that is ahead of us. I know that there are times when these challenges are hurled in our direction and things that tend to, perhaps, cause us to be in wonderment, but I feel that we will be capable of the task. I want to be a part of that kind of movement. I've tried to do it in order that I might be able to be of service, and so that's why I'm offering myself once again to the service of the University.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Committee members, would you turn your microphone on when you are asking questions because of the court reporter. And I might add, we appreciate the Creel Court Reporting Service for sending Christine Howell here today to take our dictation. And we want to welcome you here. And if everybody would speak up so she can hear. I know that would be a help to her, and we appreciate the service that she's doing for the sake today. Are there any questions of Dr. Sanders from any committee member? Representative Hines.
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: I'd just like to first make a comment, and certainly commend you Dr. Sanders for offering to serve again at South Carolina State University. We do understand that there's been a lot of trying times at that university, it's gone through a lot of turmoil. And since you are a veteran board member, are you very optimistic that a lot of things will be turned around in regards to the number of problems that that institution has suffered in recent years?
DR. SANDERS: I'm very much optimistic, Representative Hines. We have plans and things that are being put into force. Some things are really already being done that is going to enhance that particular kind of situation that will make us better be able to better do those things that needs to be done, and to help to solve the problems that confront us along that line. So it is very optimistic with housing and other things and plans that we have in force to help all the children and young people that we serve. It is anticipated that we will be doing things better with the hope that it will enhance that.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions? Senator Wilson.
SENATOR WILSON: Dr. Sanders, it is wonderful to have you here, and you are certainly representative of a roomful of people who are very talented and capable. And I'm thrilled to see the people who want to put time into improving the State of South Carolina. And I particularly agree with your point about assisting students to reach to their highest level of fulfillment. And a concern that I'd like for the persons who come before us today on an issue very important to me is a four year
Printed Page 1132 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
graduation rate. I'm very interested and concerned that young people somehow are not achieving what I think is positive for young people and that is a four year graduation rate. It's certainly good for their parents and families. It's good for the taxpayers. And I just see this as an extremely important issue to help young people focus on what courses they would like to take. We all know they may change major or whatever. But focus on what they would like to take. Get them graduated and get them into being protective members of society. And so in the interest of time, as many people as we have here today, I would just like briefly to know what your view is on this point.
DR. SANDERS: I feel that that is certainly a necessity and it will be most economically feasible that we do these things to help these families from whence these children come. I also know that with the measures that have been put into are paying now, that rate perhaps there at South Carolina State University will become even more pronounced because of the fact that we are happy about many things that we have done before. But prior to that, we have been taking young people, you know, and giving them remedial courses and things of that sort. There are measures that are being put, have been put in place upon us that we are having to now perhaps look at that very seriously and perhaps will cause that problem to be resolved by having to bring students in who are already ready for that without having to give those remedial courses that have previously been done so as to make sure they are doing something. That's why the rate, I feel, has been over the years, these past eight years that I was privileged to serve at, have been like it was because we took the children or young people where they were, gave them those particular courses, and then moved them on as they became prepared and ready for that movement. But by bringing them in now, you know, at that level, and moving them through that, I think that's an achievable goal.
SENATOR WILSON: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions from any committee members? Thank you, Dr. Sanders. I would like to add, Dr. Sanders, and all other people who are being screened here today that we will have the screening report put on the desks of the senate and house members Tuesday of next week, and the 29, Thursday at 12:00 noon, you may at that time seek commitments. No commitments are allowed until the screening report has been reviewed by all of the house representatives and senators. And at that time, they will have had at least 24 hours to look at the screening report and have a chance to go over that. And at 12:00 noon on Thursday, the 29th, you may
Printed Page 1133 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
seek commitments at that time. If you want to be here in Columbia, if you want to write letters, or by telephone, whatever you'd like to do, you are willing to do that after 12:00. That's Thursday, the 29th. And I might add some time in the middle of April ... we have not been able to do a resolution calling for a joint assembly yet for the election. But you can look for some time in the middle of April for the election process to begin. I also would like to welcome another committee member, Senator Maggie Glover from Florence. Senator Glover, thank you. We have just interviewed Dr. J.W. Sanders, and we're about to take on the unopposed candidates. The sixth district, seat six has opposition. We have two other seats where there is no opposition. And I would like to ask that the seat eight, Mr. Neville Lorick. Mr. Lorick? Would you please raise your right hand?
(Oath administered to Mr. Lorick.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems that the committee should know about to prevent you from attending the committee meetings?
MR. LORICK: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, would there be anything that would prevent you from making the board meetings?
MR. LORICK: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interest professionally or personally that would constitute a conflict of interest?
MR. LORICK: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any public position of honor or elected position that would constitute dual office holding?
MR. LORICK: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Sir, you may you open with any statements.
MR. LORICK: Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman and committee members for this opportunity to meet with you today as I express my interest in serving on the Board of Trustees for South Carolina State University. My name again is Neville Lorick. I'm president and COO of South Carolina Electric Gas Scana Corporation. And I'm serving presently on the Board of Trustees in the appointed position by the governor because of the vacancy that Mr. Jack Scola left. I recently just started in January of this year. I would submit to you ... I assume you already have my resume, so I will avoid going through that issue again. But I would like to express to you that there are several issues that are of importance in this application. One, SCE&G is a very large employer of personnel within the State of South Carolina, and most of the
Printed Page 1134 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
candidates that we hire require a higher degree of education, a four year degree after high school. And we have presently an initiative worked out with South Carolina State where we are utilizing a co-op program to bring some of those folks on to help fulfill some of those positions. And I understand the needs of industry and the requirements thereof for these higher degrees. And so I'm very much an proponent of helping these folks get up and get out and let's get into the degreed world and get new jobs and escalate not only our personnel from South Carolina, but also the job requirements that are needed to help South Carolina grow. Within our organization, we also have a large facility which is located in Orangeburg called the Cope Plant. It's a generating facility down there which is a large investment for us. And we have a number of employees in that area in Orangeburg, and also in the Town of Orangeburg is one of our largest customers. And the fact that they are one of our largest customers, we invest a lot in the community, both for Orangeburg, but also for the university there. And in this position, as a secondary issue, I would be able to continue to make sure that there was the great express need of cooperation from those two communities put together, both the university and the City of Orangeburg. On a personal note, I am very much interested in education. My wife is an educator. She is in the teaching profession in the public school systems and has been for 28 years. I had an opportunity years ago when my wife was getting her graduate degree that she was taking some courses from the university there in Orangeburg, and I got to go on campus myself and to meet there and see the energy of the students there. It's been many years ago. And I saw the quality of the folks and the desire for education there. And I'd like to excel that and push that forward in moving force. So that's a great desire of mine on a personal note. I thank you for the opportunity of coming here today, and I appreciate your consideration.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any question from any committee members?
SENATOR WILSON: Yes, Mr. Chairman. In regard to the four year graduation rate, what would be your view on how to improve that?
MR. LORICK: I think that, one, we have to have good facilities. We have to have the opportunity for the folks at Orangeburg. We've seen that there are some challenges there. In this short period of time that I have been there since January, I've seen there are some challenges there, and there are some plans laid out, and I think the action to go forward to resolve those and make those things come to fruition will allow these folks to continue on and graduate. And it's absolutely a commitment of mine that not only just for the state itself, but just for
Printed Page 1135 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
the individual, too, so they can grow. I think that's a very highly desired concern.
SENATOR WILSON: And Mr. Chairman, I'd like to point out something that I found out about Mr. Lorick. On Thursday night he was the keynote speaker for the Lexington Chamber of Commerce Small Business Of The Year Dinner, and he is part of an extremely small and tiny and select group. He not only lives in Lexington County, but he was born in Lexington County, and that's very unusual. And so we appreciate his service. In particular those of us in Lexington County and Richland appreciate your work to be a facilitator for widening the Lake Murray Damn, which is to promote safety and reduced congestion in the community. So thank you for your service in so many ways.
MR. LORICK: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other committee members?
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: I may just like to ask a question, Chairman.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Representative Hines.
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: During your experience at the South Carolina State College, have you witnessed maybe a substantial number of students may not have been attending or matriculating at South Carolina State College because of ... I hate to say it ... maybe because of the image that it doesn't have now like it used to have? I'm a proud son of that institution and during my years there, well, it seemed to me so many outstanding things were taking place that's not taking place now. You had instructors from that university was in collaboration with Clemson in writing scholarly reports and any number of endeavors as it relates to agriculture in particular. I don't believe that that's happening anymore. But are you encouraged to see that a lot of students that once had a keen interest in going there might ... that might be reversed so far as them ...
MR. LORICK: Yes. I think there are a couple of key actions that have to take place to make sure that the students want to go there and continue to go there. What I did see was there is a definite commitment towards education. There is a definite commitment to keep this program certified and to make sure that longevity is continued so that these folks will have a great college that they can participate in. There is some concerns I guess for some of the atmosphere that may be located there in dealing with some issues so that kids will continue to go there rather than move somewhere else, particularly in the housing area.
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: Thank you very much.
Printed Page 1136 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions? Senator Glover?
SENATOR GLOVER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Lorick, in light of South Carolina State's ranking in funding in this state, really for as long as I have been here, it has really been underfunded, and now, as a board member or as a board trustee, what avenues do you think that you could do to help implore this state to change its ranking?
MR. LORICK: I think there are a number of opportunities to increase the funding. One, the funding issue just got worse. And when we look at what's being funded from the state, the potential budget cuts that may happen, how do we get over just that short hurdle is one issue. And then dealing more long term with the capital in trying to raise capital for those. We can deploy a lot of things. One is a position that I hold, I get an opportunity to meet with a lot of different folks such as yourselves and I can hopefully express some interest and from your part in raising funds and raising abilities both through corporations, legislative issues, and other opportunities. So I think there is a great need for that. And also, on the personal commitment from my own personal side as part of raising those funds. I think that there will have to be capital campaigns. There will have to be a lot of opportunities that go forward to make things move successfully to change that funding ratio to move it up.
SENATOR GLOVER: I am encouraged to hear that and hopefully if you are indeed seated, if you'll follow through on that. Capital development is imperative for the university.
MR. LORICK: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions? Thank you, Mr. Lorick. At this time we will hear from the at-large seat, seat ten, Dr. William C. Clinkscales. Dr. Clinkscales?
(Oath administered to Dr. Clinkscales.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems that the committee needs to know about, Doctor?
DR. CLINKSCALES: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, would they prevent you from continuing to serve on the board?
DR. CLINKSCALES: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: And do you have any interest personally or professionally that would constitute a conflict of interest?
DR. CLINKSCALES: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay, sir. Do you hold any other public elected office that would constitute dual office holding?
Printed Page 1137 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
DR. CLINKSCALES: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Sir, you may go ahead with your statement.
DR. CLINKSCALES: Thank you. First of all, let me thank you for allowing me to come before you this morning as a candidate for the Board of Trustees of South Carolina State University. It has certainly been a pleasure this past four years having served on the Board of Trustees, and the past two years as a board chair. I think there are a couple of things that are critical to the board. First of all, each board member, we need to be professionals, have high professional standards and moral standards that we must uphold first of all for the institution. I, myself, am retired from another institution, another university, after 30 years of public service with them in the professional rank as a professor. A couple things I think are very critical and have been touched on earlier and a couple of questions have been asked about how do we see the institution in the future. I see the board as being proponents of fund raising, and not necessarily fund raising from the segment that we've gotten money from in the past. We have to go out to individuals who give a large sum of money as philanthropic gifts over the ... during the years. We also need to increase our giving of industry and business from the perspective that is far greater than we are getting at this present time. There have been a couple of things that we are trying to do. We, the past year, set up our trustee endowment fund, in which we brought in $63,000.00 in one night this past August, which is tremendous for our present board. As was mentioned earlier from two of our other candidates on the board, we've got to look at capital campaigns. We cannot continue to look at the Columbia state legislature and state general assembly to provide all the things that we need. We've got to do some things for ourselves in this process. I see the Board of Trustees as a policy making group and not getting ourselves bogged down in the administrative things, which should be left to the president of the institution. So that is a tremendous focus of mine. Being that this past year, two years ago now, we redid our bylaws completely because there was some work that needed to be done so that we would look at things that we need to be doing as a board and focus on things as a board and not administrative kinds of things. The senator asked the question about the graduation rate. How we might deal with that. A couple of things. First of all, we've got to have, we have to attract the good students, and then we have to keep them after we get them there. Certainly, the competition is far greater not only in South Carolina, but Georgia and North Carolina and other places for our students. So in order to attract these students, we've got
Printed Page 1138 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
to have the facilities, first of all, because parents, mamas, daddies, and the children want a good place for that child to stay. Then we've got to have good curriculum. Then we've got to have competent faculty and staff that shows a kind of customer service interest in our young people once we get them there. If we get them there, we've got to keep them. So you've got to have the customer focus in terms of keeping our young people at the institution. I think we can do some of the things that I have envisioned over the past four years, I get reseated on the board, that we could continue some of the things that we've started to do. That whenever our young people graduate from South Carolina State University, that they will be able to compete in society in whatever profession or endeavor they may go into. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions from the committee?
SENATOR GLOVER: He answered it.
SENATOR WILSON: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: No questions. I would like to from the committee, I think you are serving now as the chairman of the board.
DR. CLINKSCALES: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: When I was on the education committee some years ago I watched South Carolina State University have a turnaround under Dr. Leroy Davis from what the present administration was, and I want to commend the board for you all not micro-managing and letting things take its place like it ought to be through the administration. I think you touched on that a while ago to some degree, and I want to commend you as the chairman and also Dr. Sanders and Mr. Lorick for your services on the board. And the other two candidates who would be vying for that seat, I hope are listening to your statements here today and maybe you can encourage some of that thought that you put forth whichever one is fortunate enough to be elected. Thank you, sir.
DR. CLINKSCALES: Thank you.
MR. HINES: I certainly listened at you very attentively and I am impressed and encouraged by your comments, but what he did say, Chairman Phillips, he has a strong family base of relatives and brothers who have attended that school, and I know they are very much in love with South Carolina State College, and I just trust that some of the things that you desire to see happen there will come to fruition, and I'm just motivated that you are in the position you are in, and I know you work hard for that. Thank you.
MR. CLINKSCALES: I will.
Printed Page 1139 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Now for the sixth district seat number six, we have two candidates offering for that, and the first candidate we'll hear from is Mr. Maurice Washington. Mr. Washington?
(Oath administered to Mr. Washington.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Sir, do you have any health related problems that maybe the committee ought to know about that would prevent you from serving?
MR. WASHINGTON: Not at all, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other interests, does it prevent you from serving on a regular basis?
MR. WASHINGTON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interest professionally or personally that would cause a conflict of interest?
MR. WASHINGTON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. Do you hold any other public elected office that would constitute dual office holding?
MR. WASHINGTON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: You may go ahead, sir.
MR. WASHINGTON: Thank you very much and good morning. I appreciate it very much having this opportunity to appear before you. I consider myself to be a stake holder in South Carolina State University as a graduate. I also have a daughter who is a presidential scholar at South Carolina State University. While a student, I served two terms as student government association for president. I'm currently in my second term as president of the Charleston Alumni Chapter, and we are very actively involved and engaged in this beloved University of ours. And my interest is non-selfish. It's in the best interest of the students, the faculty and staff, all of whom are very, very hardworking and dedicated individuals. And I'm humbly honored to have this opportunity to appear before you in my desire to serve at the next level. South Carolina State University is an institution that is just over 100 years old. And like most old institutions, it has peaks and valleys. We've had some recent valleys, but we've had far more peaks. And I believe that we can turn the problems of the past around with a focus and visionary leadership, and I'm prepared to step in and work hard to that end.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any committee members have any questions of Mr. Washington?
SENATOR WILSON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Senator Wilson.
Printed Page 1140 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
SENATOR WILSON: As to the four year graduation rate, what suggestions do you have?
MR. WASHINGTON: You know, it's a very difficult question to specifically ask. My daughter is a junior. She will be graduating in three and a half years versus four years, and we're very proud of that. It begins in the household at the local level. And once a child reaches age 16 or 17, we can encourage them to read, to study, to focus, but we can't make them do it. They have to have it within to follow through to want to be the best that they can be in life. South Carolina State, I think we also must look to recruiting the best of students. That certainly will require, as Dr. Clinkscales pointed out, solid quality facilities. It will require a dedicated staff. We must put in place faculty members who have unique capabilities of motivating and driving students' interests to the next level.
SENATOR WILSON: Thank you very much. And congratulations to your daughter and to your family.
MR. WASHINGTON: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions from any committee member? Senator Glover.
SENATOR GLOVER: Yes. Mr. Washington, as a board trustee, if appointed, what would you do in order to help South Carolina State? You just mentioned the quality facilities and all. That's one of the problems, and of course, money is at the root of it. What as a trustee would you suggest or would you want to do to remedy that?
MR. WASHINGTON: I think for the most part all of our interest, especially those of us who are in positions to make a difference, we want to do, first of all, what is right, what is fair, and what is equitable. And once we move beyond the issues of being fair and equitable, we then must look to ourselves as leaders of the institution. Where the state funding falls short, we have to pick up and carry the financial banner forward. We have to become more efficient, more determined in our capital fund raiser campaigns. I think we need to look more to endowments, something the university has recently begun to look into. I think also we need to prove ourselves worthy of top financial support from the state and we do that by becoming good students of the finances that they do send to the university. We do that by establishing a strong rapport with you and your other colleagues. And we also do it by producing the kinds of students that continue to contribute to the state, to the nation in the most positive of ways. I think those were the original concept and thought processes that the founders of this institution some 100 years ago.
Printed Page 1141 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
SENATOR GLOVER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions?
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: Yes, if you don't mind.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Representative Hines.
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: I notice Senator Wilson has consistently asked the question about graduation rates. What do you perceive where the graduation rate, why it's not what it ought be? Could you respond to what you see there as maybe a problem?
MR. WASHINGTON: Well, unlike many state institutions, South Carolina history, in its history, always included students from less of financially based strong or two parental household background. The institution has always reached out to those students who for the most part have been disenfranchised. And the quality of the students plays a role in this, and that's not an excuse, but it is a part of the problem. And we're committed. The institution has always been committed to giving everybody a chance to get a college education. That's one issue. The other issue is the image. Recent events, in my judgment, have tarnished the good name of South Carolina State University. Parents send their children to school, to college for an education not to be shot at, not to be robbed, not to be victimized. When things of that nature happens, we as parents, we look elsewhere. And so until we turn the image piece around and prove that this is still a magnificent university to attend to receive a quality education, I see that particular trend continuing before it reverses itself. We have to work hard. All of us must work hard.
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions? Thank you, sir. At this time we'll ask Jesse J. Williams, Jr.
(Oath administered to Mr. Williams.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Mr. Williams, do you have any health related problems that the committee might ought to be known about ...
MR. WILLIAMS: No, I do not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation, does it make a conflict of being able to attend the board meetings on a regular basis?
MR. WILLIAMS: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interest professionally or personally that would constitute a conflict of interest?
MR. WILLIAMS: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Sir?
MR. WILLIAMS: No, sir.
Printed Page 1142 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you hold any other public elected or appointed office ...
MR. WILLIAMS: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: ... that would constitute dual office holding?
MR. WILLIAMS: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay, sir. Go ahead.
MR. WILLIAMS: Thank you. Thank you. I hope you can hear me. I'm one of those allergy sufferers this time of year. Forgive me for my voice. But it's an honor and a pleasure to present myself before you this morning. I am a graduate of the South Carolina State as well, and I'm very proud of this school. Despite any ups and downs it might have, I think that obviously there is always grounds for improvement. However, having been a graduate, I am one of those that has always worked for South Carolina State. I've been fortunate to be part of a successful business. And being a graduate, I think as an alumni, we owe it to ourselves, and it's an automatic duty as an alumni of any school to always reach back and help those who are coming out of school, which I've done. I've also served ten years as president of the alumni chapter, which happens to be in Pennsylvania. But more importantly than that, students ... and of course, I was listening to some of the questions about our graduate rates. I think all students need mentors. I think all young people need somebody from which they can look up to. And therefore, those of us who if you are going to serve on a Board of Trustees, you have to reach out. And I think South Carolina State College has an opportunity to become an icon, specifically here in South Carolina. But there are private industry out there for which I happen to be in contact with such as the Oracles of the world, the Microsofts of the world, and being in an industry such as I am, I think these companies have to get involved in schools such as South Carolina State. Make that contact, give that student an encouragement so that he knows when he graduates he had some place to go. And I think Board of Trustees working with our chairman with that, Board of Trustees should work in that regard. My experience and present background, having a technical background, having management background, policy and procedure background, I think I can work with the Board of Trustees and work with administration, not micro-managing, but at least serve as an advisor and if they go on a trip, go with them, to go into some of these industries. Not that we don't rely on the state. Going back to your question, yes, I think the State of South Carolina, South Carolina State should definitely get its fair share. But on the other hand, I don't think we should sit on our
Printed Page 1143 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
hands either. I think there is a private industry out there. And while you're doing that, you at the same time are bringing that industry to these student so that they too know when they leave this school they have some place to go. I bring that kind of experience, contact, and connection with the South Carolina State. That's why I'm looking forward and excited to give if you so see fit, to serve on the Board of Trustees because I do think we need that kind of connection. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions from the committee? Well, thank you, sir. You did a good job.
MR. WILLIAMS: Thank you, sir.
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: I like what he's saying.
SENATOR GLOVER: He answered mine.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: At this time I would like to have a motion from the committee that we ...
SENATOR WILSON: So moved.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: ... to screen all candidates and ask them that they be screened out and be qualified to seek commitments. And we have a motion by Senator Wilson ...
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: Second it.
SENATOR GLOVER: Second it.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: All in favor signify by saying aye.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: None opposed. Gentlemen, you are certified candidates now, and you may solicit your votes on the 29th at 12:00. That's next Thursday week at 12:00. And at this time, if you'd like to, we'll dismiss you. You are now certified candidates. Thank you, sir.
THE CITADEL
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: The next is The Citadel at-large, one seat. And of course, we've got Colonel Dennis J. Rhoad unopposed. Colonel Rhoad.
(Oath administer to Colonel Rhoad.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Colonel, do you have any health related problems that we need to know about at this time?
COLONEL RHOAD: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, has it prevented or would it continue to prevent your activities on the board?
COLONEL RHOAD: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Sir, do you hold any professional or personal conflict of interest here if elected?
Printed Page 1144 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
COLONEL RHOAD: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you hold any public positions other than your board member at the Citadel?
COLONEL RHOAD: I do not, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay, sir. Go ahead.
COLONEL RHOAD: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Dennis Rhoad. I'm from Charleston, South Carolina. I have a solo law practice in downtown Charleston and have had the great pleasure and honor of serving on The Citadel Board of Visitors the past six years, and have offered myself once again for service. The reasons that I have offered myself once again to serve is I put it in a letter, but I'll try to summarize, and there are many reasons. The Citadel is a unique place. It has unique challenges. We have recently, I think, very successfully have braced and continued to embrace the challenges of co-education. I have two daughters, one of whom I think would do very well at The Citadel; the other one probably wouldn't. But one of the reasons I want to continue to serve on The Citadel Board of Trustees is the co-education issue. Another reason that I want to continue to serve on The Citadel board is because I think this is a time of great opportunity and challenge for The Citadel. The past year, and this year we're better than we were last year. We've had a great recruiting year. For some strange reason, the public might think, you know, with all of the problems that that The Citadel went through in the last three or four years that no one would want to go to The Citadel. Surprisingly enough, we've had more applicants last year and this year than we've had I believe in the history of The Citadel. And I think that goes well for The Citadel, and I want to continue to be a part of that. In addition to that, we do face capital challenges like the candidates for the South Carolina State Board. The Citadel can't look solely to the State of South Carolina for funding, and we are not looking solely to the State of South Carolina. We are out ahead on the capital campaign which we're going to launch later this year, and I want to be a part of that on the Board of Visitors is a part of that. I would like to at least touch upon our four year graduation rate. The Citadel historically has had one of the best four year graduation rates of all state supported colleges, and I'm not suggesting that the other colleges do what The Citadel does because as we all know, it's a unique place, but we do have a unique formula down there and it is based upon a military environment and a disciplined environment, which I think my good friend Maurice Washington indicated that, you know, it starts at home. Well, it continues at The Citadel. His
Printed Page 1145 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
opponent indicated that mentoring is very important, which The Citadel has numerous mentoring programs all the way from the faculty to family members that participate with cadets and so on and so forth. So I think a lot of that has to do with the four year graduation rate. There are many other reasons why I want to continue to serve on the board. I'm happy to answer any questions. I know you've got a lot of other candidates so I will conclude and will just say that I have enjoyed serving on the board. And it does take a lot of time to serve on the board as all of these candidates know, and as a single shingle lawyer in downtown Charleston, if I wasn't sincere in wanting to be on the board again, I wouldn't come up because it does take a lot of time. But I am interested in continuing to serve. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions from any committee members?
SENATOR GLOVER: Yes.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Senator Glover.
SENATOR GLOVER: Yes. You mentioned in your remarks the new women's cadet program at The Citadel. I take it that you supported that. Do you feel now as a trustee that it might be endangered?
COLONEL RHOAD: I do support it. I don't think it's endangered. I think, in fact, it's thriving. There are still challenges. And I remember six years ago when you were on this committee six years ago when I offered myself as a candidate, and I believe we were in the midst of waiting to see what the U.S. Supreme Court was going to decide. And in my case, you asked me what I thought it, and I told you then that there was a part of me that would have liked for The Citadel to remain single gender, but as a constitutional law professor adjunct at The Citadel, which I continue to do, there was a small hurdle that we weren't going to be able to get over and that was the Fourteenth Amendment. So once every one else was made to understand that, The Citadel did, in fact, embrace co-education, and I think while we've got to tweak it and while it's very new and thriving on the vine, it is thriving. So I don't think it's endangered at all. I think it is a great opportunity for The Citadel and we're taking advantage of it.
SENATOR GLOVER: Well, Colonel, you've done good.
COLONEL RHOAD: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other committee members?
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: Yes. I want to make an observation, Mr. Chairman, in regards, the last two years, this is the institution when the South Carolina State Bulldogs has visited you down there in a football game, and both years the Bulldogs have been defeated.
COLONEL RHOAD: Which Bulldogs?
Printed Page 1146 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: South Carolina State Bulldogs. There are two bulldogs getting together down there. The Citadel Bulldogs and the State Bulldogs. I just wish that perhaps it could be reversed where Citadel to could visit the South Carolina State campus. I don't know whether that would be feasible economical wise or not. I'm not sure. But hopefully if we're down there again this coming year, we might be successful.
COLONEL RHOAD: Representative Hines, I think it will be feasible because one of the challenges that we face is a football stadium replacement. Our football stadium is in dire need of replacement and I think probably, if not before, when we're rebuilding the stadium, we'll probably go to South Carolina State. And I might add that I'm from Orangeburg and grew up with South Carolina State, and of course, you guys have a much better band than we have.
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: We do win in the band competition.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other committee members?
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Senator Wilson.
SENATOR WILSON: I'd like to commend The Citadel on their four year graduation rate. It is the best in the State of South Carolina. And of course it is because of its unique mentoring program that you have. And I have two nephews who graduated from there and I can't wait to tell them the treatment that they received is called mentoring. Thank you.
COLONEL RHOAD: It has a little bit of a rough edge, but it works.
SENATOR WILSON: It achieves the desired result.
COLONEL RHOAD: Right. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Colonel, Jesse brought it up. Football. I want to commend you on hiring a good coach. Ellis Johnson started out at Gaffney High, so and went on to Spartanburg, then went on to be with Alabama. So I think you are heading in the right direction as far as football and athletics. But I want to commend The Citadel for the turnaround and acceptance of female students. I happened to be the chairman of the education committee when we were doing all of that fighting, and of course, we were torn from one end to the other. There were some of our friends in the General Assembly who had other ideas. So, but we worked it out and I wanted to commend you for that.
COLONEL RHOAD: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir.
COLONEL RHOAD: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do I hear a motion to certify?
Printed Page 1147 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
SENATOR WILSON: So moved.
SENATOR GLOVER: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: All in favor signify by saying aye.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir.
COLONEL RHOAD: Thank you, sir.
COASTAL CAROLINA
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: We will ... the next will be Coastal Carolina. We've got five congressional districts and one seat at-large. And we'll start out with the second district seat four, Dr. James F. Kane. Dr. Kane.
(Oath administered to Dr. Kane.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problem the committee should be made aware of?
DR. KANE: None.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your occupation and other activities, does it prevent you from serving as a full time member of the board?
DR. KANE: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interest professionally or personally that would cause a conflict of interest?
DR. KANE: No.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Are you elected or appointed to any position that would constitute dual office holding?
DR. KANE: None.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Sir, go ahead with your statement.
DR. KANE: Thank you. It is a pleasure to speak with you and this will be, if successful, my third term with Coastal. It's been a delightful experience on the board. As many of you know, Coastal separated from the university system, and the first term was given to a lot of independence, if you will, as the university tried to set up their own accounting systems and all of the academic affairs that went with that. Having been at the University of South Carolina's business school since 1967, I was in kind of an interesting position during that transition from the university being a regional center to a full-fledged four year institution. That was a lot of fun. The academic affairs committee that I served on at that particular time had a lot of work to do. We had to draft new bylaws, constitution, and all the rest of it. And had to develop the curriculum into a truly four year institution. This last term I've been serving on the development committee, and like many of the folks who are appearing before you today, we can
Printed Page 1148 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
very well see that with the state finances being what they are, the institutions must seek outside funding and private funding as well. And Coastal has been very successful in getting that started. And when I say getting that started, four years before then, without a development committee to speak of, we had a lot of basic trench work to do to get alumni lists, for example, to computerize it, to set up some type of campaigning on an annual basis and we've been successful in that. Now, the next four years are going to be a real challenge. And we, too, like many others in the room are planning a capital campaign. We're gearing up for it now. We're getting very close to launching it. And many of my business friends around the state say, oh, my Lord, here they come again, and they're all coming at once. All we have to say is, well, each of us will make our case and we hope you will support us. So the development committee in the next four years is going to be extremely important, and the full board, and all of us, as you can see from your sheet, are incumbents and we've been working very well together. But I'm excited and I look forward to, if approved, serving the next four years because I think they are going to be an exciting time at Coastal. I do not want to take any questions on football.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay, any questions from any committee members?
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Senator Wilson.
SENATOR WILSON: What is your view about promoting the four year graduation rate?
DR. KANE: Well, Senator, it has improved at Coastal. It's gone down in terms of the length of stay. One of our problems, and I guess it would be Horry County, certainly the Myrtle Beach area, as tuitions increase and as state funding declines as a percentage of the total budget, a lot of kids have to work. And as you well know from that resort type of area that a lot of the young students will take a semester off to save for their tuition for the coming year. And so we have that problem. But I think we're getting much better at Coastal as compared to College of Charleston and Frances Marion and that sort.
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to point out that Dr. Kane has a excellent reputation in the second congressional district. Well thought of in the Midlands. And I was particularly happy in reading the Coastal Carolina magazine last year to find out that he has been a chief promoter in promoting golf course management. And it's become international. In fact, he could be given some credit for
Printed Page 1149 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
introducing golf to Central and Eastern Europe, which where they are training a number of students from formerly Soviet countries on a new sport, golf. And so congratulations on your success there.
DR. KANE: Thank you. We've piggybacked a little bit on our experience with the business school at USC in the international area, and have quite a nice group of students from Spain now, for example, and Central Europe as well.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions? Well, Dr. Kane, I want to commend you for ... Senator Glover was a house member then. We held hearings on whether to let Coastal be a breakaway school, campus, and it worked out well. So you all might talk about football. Perhaps we can play you with Limestone if we can talk. Thank you, sir.
DR. KANE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: We'll go to the third congressional district, seat six, William L. Lyles, Jr.
(Oath administered to Mr. Lyles.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems that the committee should be made aware of?
MR. LYLES: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do your occupations and activities prevent you from continuing on a full time basis?
MR. LYLES: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have an interest professionally or personally that would cause a personal conflict?
MR. LYLES: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay, sir. Do you hold any other elected or appointed positions?
MR. LYLES: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Go ahead, sir.
MR. LYLES: Thank you, Mr. Chairman and committee members. I appreciate the opportunity to come down here. Briefly, I would like to state that I, too, am one of the original members of the Board of Trustees, and this has been a very pleasant experience for me, and I hope we've done a good job, which I think we have. I am presently the chairman of the student affairs committee. Football, which was mentioned, that comes under my department, but I hope I don't get any questions. I am very proud to say that my son who runs my business in Anderson is a graduate of Coastal Carolina. It took him five years, but I've got plenty of reasons to state for those as well. But he received an excellent education and is doing a fine job and I'm real proud of that
Printed Page 1150 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
fact. Other than that, I think everything has been stated by others, Board of Trustee Members. I'll be glad to answer any questions that you might have.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do we have any questions from any committee member? None. Well, thank you, sir.
MR. LYLES: Thank you. Appreciate it.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Fourth district, seat eight, Mr. Keith S. Smith. Mr. Smith.
(Oath administered to Mr. Smith.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems that the committee needs to be made aware of?
MR. SMITH: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, would they prevent you from continuing to serve on a regular basis?
MR. SMITH: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any personal interest that could cause a conflict of interest, business interest?
MR. SMITH: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay, sir. Do you now hold any other public elected or appointed position that would cause a dual office holding?
MR. SMITH: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Go ahead.
MR. SMITH: Mr. Chairman, committee members, I thank you for the opportunity today and for your bettering the education of South Carolina, the extra time you're putting in today. I, too, have served since we went independent. We've accomplished a lot in the four, five and six year graduation rate. We monitor all those, and also in the facilities and a tremendous increase in our S.A.T. scores, the average S.A.T. scores from our student body. And I served on the planning and fiscal affairs, which is sometimes called the finance committee. And I definitely hope I don't get any questions on that. We have questions for you. But we still have a lot to do. We have a library that's bursting at the seams. More in it than there is room, than there is building. The science building, which you will address for us this year. But if elected, I look forward to serving for another four years. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Any committee members have any questions of Mr. Smith? Thank you, sir. Fifth congressional district, seat ten, Mr. Robert D. Brown.
(Oath administered to Mr. Brown.)
Printed Page 1151 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problem we need to be made aware of?
MR. BROWN: No, I do not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. Considering your present occupation and other activities, will it prevent you from serving on a regular basis?
MR. BROWN: No, it would not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. Do you have any professional or personal interest that would cause a conflict of interest?
MR. BROWN: I do not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any other elected or appointed position ...
MR. BROWN: No, I don't.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: ... that would constitute dual office holding? Thank you, sir.
MR. BROWN: Like the other people here, I'd like to thank all of you for letting us come before you. As you know, you have my vitae there and I don't want to go into that to any extent. Education has been my field. I've been dealing with young people all my life. I retired as the assistant executive superintendent of schools in Newark, New Jersey. There we had over 5,000 teachers in the district, and we had better than 60 administrators. And I heard someone speak today of micro-managing. I could not micro-manage. I told my principals, I hold you responsible for the school. If anything goes wrong, I hold you responsible. If something happens, call me first. I don't want to be notified by a parent or the press or someone else, and I will work with you on what the problem is. So I do not believe in micro-managing. I, like the others before me, at Coastal am one of the originals at the institution when we separated from USC. I think that the administration is tremendous at the school. I think these beautiful people here are tremendous. We've worked extremely well together. At the time that I was recommended for Coastal, I had the option from my representative of applying for South Carolina State or Coastal. I did not apply for State because I knew that there were many blacks on the board of trustees at State and no one at Coastal. I took that. I wanted the youngsters to see me sitting up there at the meetings so they could understand that this could be possible for them, too. That's why I took it. You mentioned football. That has been my life. When I graduated college, I was hired as an assistant coach in football at Johnson C. Smith University. I then went to Howard for two years as an assistant coach. From there, the president of Morris College recruited me at NYU. And I accepted Morris. I had never heard of
Printed Page 1152 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
Morris, and I've never been to South Carolina to any great extent. But I took it because I knew it was a wonderful opportunity for a young coach 23 or 4 to get on his feet to start on his own. I went to Morris. My first year there, we scored one touchdown in the last game against Friendship College in Rock Hill. From then on, from then on, the next year we won 7 out of 8 games, and from then on, we were conference champions in football and basketball. Some of the people coached by me that you might know, Sam Foster was one of mine. Freddie Hines was one of mine from Florence. Paul Glenn from Union who was assistant superintendent and deputy mayor was one of my football players. But getting away from me. I'm in the Hall of Fame of Johnson C. Smith as a player. I'm in the Hall of Fame with Morris College as a coach. I am one of those who is pushing Coastal Carolina for football as Lyles and the rest of them know. And we are going to grab South Carolina. We are going to grab the Citadel. When we get to them, we're going to tear them up. Any questions, ladies and gentleman? I'm happy to have served at Coastal. I think it's a beautiful situation. One of the reasons was I felt that the location of Coastal, I'm sure, I felt it was a beautiful community college where local people could go there instead of trying to travel distances to go to college. I feel that it is going to be one of the greatest schools in the state. Not only in the state, but throughout the eastern seaboard. Thank you for permitting me to be here. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions?
MR. BROWN: And Maggie, it's good to see you again.
SENATOR GLOVER: It's good to see you.
MR. BROWN: I am also proud to be the president of the Kershaw County Black Caucus. Maggie has been our guest speaker on numerous occasions. Senator Matthews. Many of them. Mr. Neal will be with us this Thursday, and all of you are welcome.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any committee members got any questions?
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: I would just to commend him for offering to serve at Coastal. I suspect because of your service that has motivated minority students at that institution.
MR. BROWN: Well, I hope so. I hope so. And also, I feel that being there, I'm sort of keeping my eye on things a little bit, so to speak, if I may say that.
SENATOR GLOVER: And thank you for keeping your eye on it.
MR. BROWN: Thank you, Maggie.
Printed Page 1153 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions of Mr. Brown? None? Thank you, sir.
MR. BROWN: Thank you. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay, we'll go to sixth congressional district, seat twelve. We have Cathy B. Harvin, the wife of Representative Alex Harvin, and don't hold that against her. She can't help that. Alex has been a good one. I want to tell you. We love Alex up here and Cathy.
MS. HARVIN: I appreciate you all helping to keep him under control.
(Oath administered to Ms. Harvin.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems that we need to be made aware of?
MS. HARVIN: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. Do you have personal activities and do they offer any kind of meeting that you wouldn't be able to attend on a regular basis?
MS. HARVIN: No conflicts, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. Do you have any personal or professional conflict of interest?
MS. HARVIN: I do not, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any other public or elected appointed position Alex has got you that would cause dual office holding?
MS. HARVIN: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: No? Thank you. Go ahead.
MS. HARVIN: Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the committee, as Mr. Chairman has said, I am Cathy Harvin from Summerton, South Carolina, and professionally serve as the manager of the K-12 education business for Dell Computer in the State of South Carolina. It's been my honor to serve on the Coastal University Board of Trustees since it became an independent institution in 1992. And it's been a great pleasure to be a part of that formative phase of establishing university bylaws and putting processes in place to achieve a successful separation from the University of South Carolina system. In addition to serving as a part of the leadership of the Board of Trustees, I have through my experience continue to provide financial support which I believe is essential for board members to do as a way of role modeling for the importance of providing that kind of funding. Coastal Carolina as an independent institution has conscientiously served the needs of the Horry/Georgetown County area of the state and the southeast region. And I think it is of utmost
Printed Page 1154 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
importance that we continue to maintain the momentum that we've established in the face of constrained funding. I believe that my professional experience with the technology industry prepares me to assist the university in exploring distance learning as a delivery option. A way through e-education, many institutions are finding is perhaps their best way of trying to control cost of delivery of education. As a result of my affiliation with the Coastal Carolina Board of Trustees, I have been selected and have been representing the teaching institutions on the Commission on Higher Education which has also been a great honor for me. And I thank you for your support. I would, Senator, like to have an opportunity to voice my feelings on your question because I share your same concern. I think that there are really three factors. One would be messaging, two would be accessibility, and three, cost. I think educators have continued to promote the notion of life-long learning. Where I think that is a significant message, I think it's also important to further define that by assuring that there is an understanding, that there are natural milestones in the education process. And although it is very good for us to continue to learn life long, we don't need to experience our college in a life long pursuit. And so I think it's important to help bring some redefinition to that messaging. From an accessibility standpoint, I think it is very important that we pursue delivery methods such as distance learning that would enable a student who has a financial need to work and go to school to be able to access through an internet or web enabled learning method and continue on with their course work, although perhaps not necessarily sitting in a chair in a facility on campus. And then third, from a cost standpoint, I think that we as board members should pursue ways to incent parents to have their students continue on with a consecutive four year experience by perhaps either altering tuition through a discount for students who are going to pursue contiguous education years, or by a penalty method which would enhance tuition if somebody does have a break in their educational experience.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions?
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Senator Wilson.
SENATOR WILSON: I'd like to thank Ms. Harvin for her comments. In particular, I know the challenge it has to be at Coastal Carolina with the proximity of the beach.
MS. HARVIN: Absolutely.
SENATOR WILSON: And so what a challenge that has to be and to be in such a beautiful location. And I also want to commend you with
Printed Page 1155 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
your background with Dell Computer. I think your service on the board is enhanced by your knowledge of promotion of computers, wireless, laptops, whatever. So best wishes to you.
MS. HARVIN: Thank you, Senator.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions? Thank you very much, Cathy. Okay, the at-large seat, seat fourteen, Mr. Dean P. Hudson.
(Oath administered to Mr. Hudson.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problem the committee may need to be made aware of?
MR. HUDSON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, would you be able to continue serving on a full time basis?
MR. HUDSON: Yes, I would.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interest professionally or personally that would cause a conflict of interest?
MR. HUDSON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any elected or appointed position that would cause dual office holding?
MR HUDSON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Sir, you may go ahead.
MR. HUDSON: Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity taking your time as well as ours to hear from each of the candidates. I think I stand up here last in line with my fellow colleagues and probably the only one at least here this morning that had the fortunate opportunity of attending Coastal back in the late '70s and graduated from there. Of course, then at that time it was USC campus. I do want to thank you, those of you here this morning that voted to allow us to become independent. I hope you will find that that's been a good move. But I do, myself and my wife, we are both graduates of ... I like to call it I'm a graduate of Coastal Carolina University now so I've been saying that. But anyway, we both are. My wife is a second grade teacher, and she continues to remain active with the education department as well out at Coastal in providing some mentoring, tutoring to some of our students coming along in that program. So I appreciate the opportunity to have served since '93. We had a lot of challenges that we faced originally, and it's been a real pleasure working with my colleagues here this morning. I would like to address a couple of questions that you've been asking as it relates to the four year attendance. I'm faced with that myself. My daughter is 17, and she's a year away from starting college. So getting a degree in four years is real important to me. But on the one hand we're asking a lot of 16, 17, and 18 year olds to decide
Printed Page 1156 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
at that particular time in their life what they want to do and let's get them in a program for four years and get them out. That's a tough decision. As a gentleman mentioned this morning, it is very important that we try to get into high schools and provide a way of them finding out just exactly what they can expect when they come to Coastal or any other university. And also, we would like for their parents to be certainly involved. We're trying to do that with our child. But it is tough. She knows a particular area she wants to go into, but there's so much variety in that that it's tough to, you know, get her kind of pushed in the right direction. But if we can have our parents involved with that. We have a program or several programs at Coastal in the early years where we have some mentoring going on, and I think that's been helpful. Our graduation rate has improved some. It's certainly not where we would like for it to be. Where in the university, we've only been in existence for 50 years. Not quite 50 years as a matter of fact. 2004. So we are still new. We were certainly a commuter college back when I was in school there, and it was very difficult at that point in time to keep students there for four years because they were coming in and they were transferred to USC or other universities. Certainly the area ... I'm a lifelong resident of Horry County, and certainly our area is very attractive to students, but it is very difficult to have them come in and maybe they leave during the summertime or they stay in the summertime and they work and they see that can make a pretty good living even without having a college education. So it is difficult when they get out and kind of get that work experience. But anyway, the other side of it, it is an attractive area and we continue to grow. Our administration, our faculty, I've had the fortunate experience of living in the area, and I can be out promoting Coastal with businesses, with my civic groups that I'm in, various contacts, and Coastal is very important to the local five county area. We have a lot of graduates that stay around and work. My employer, out of 13, I believe there are 5 of us that are graduates of Coastal. So we do play a major role in the work force in that area. And I appreciate the opportunity and would be glad to answer any other questions.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions from any committee member? None. Thank you, sir.
MR. HUDSON: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Is there a motion for Coastal?
SENATOR GLOVER: Motion.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Oh, excuse me. Did you have ...
SENATOR GLOVER: No. It's a favorable motion for all candidates.
Printed Page 1157 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Motion.
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Seconded by Mr. Hines. All opposed.
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Yes.
SENATOR WILSON: I would like to point out that it's a real tribute to the six individuals who are here that they are unopposed and it's also a tribute to the stability of the institution, and so congratulations.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: That's good, and that's true. We appreciate the job you are doing at Coastal, too, because we were on a side to separate you and we're glad you're doing well. So at this time we've got a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying aye.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: You are certified now and on the 29th you may seek commitments. You may go if you would and you can stay in here with the College of Charleston people, whatever you'd like. Thank you, sir.
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: College of Charleston, we have one congressional district and that is the fourth congressional district, seat 8, and we have four candidates, Mrs. Debra Gammons, Dr. J.H. Corbitt, and W.T. Maynard and Lawrence R. Miller. At this time, we would hear from Mrs. Debra Gammons.
(Oath administered to Ms. Gammons.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. Do you have any health related problems that the Committee needs to be made aware of?
MS. GAMMONS: No, I do not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. Considering your present occupation and other activities, will you be able to make all the Board meetings ...
MS. GAMMONS: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: ... on a regular basis?
MS. GAMMONS: Yes, I will.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interests personally or personal conflict of interest if you were elected?
MS. GAMMONS: No, I do not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any public office, appointed position that would call for a dual office holding?
MS. GAMMONS: No, I do not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you. You may go ahead with your statement.
Printed Page 1158 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
MS. GAMMONS: Representative Phillips, I have a one page handout I would like to hand out at this time.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: That will be fine.
MS. GAMMONS: Good afternoon, I thank you for this opportunity. I am honored and grateful to stand before you this afternoon. And I wanted to ... you have my resume, but I did want to say that I currently serve on the board. I was appointed last year. I enjoy it. I am a graduate of the College of Charleston. I love that school dearly. My daughter is a senior there. She will graduate in May with a major in Spanish. She's been offered a teaching position at Virginia Beach teaching Spanish and she will pursue her master's in education. And, Senator Wilson, she told me I believe it was her sophomore year, mom, I think it will take me five years. I said, Ronlynn, it will take you four years, and she will be graduating in four years this May. She spent a year at the University of Puerto Rico. The College of Charleston has a great exchange program and she did wonderfully there and met great friends, and they have become a part of her family. On the four year graduation issue, many students are not focused when they come onto campus. The College of Charleston has great advisors and counselors who will help students focus their energies into one major. In a liberal arts school, you want to have a great deal of knowledge about a wide variety of subjects and sometimes it's difficult to get that in four years. I was just speaking with a student yesterday. I was at the College of Charleston. I was the keynote speaker for the Golden Key National Honor Society, which has members who make at least a 3.6 grade point average and who are juniors and seniors, and that student was a music major. She changed her major to biology. It took her five years to graduate, but she's been accepted into medical school, so it works for some students. And for those for whom it works, then we can prompt them to graduate in four years, but sometimes it may take them a little bit longer. But the college is looking to that and trying to get students graduated in four years so they will get out into the community, get out into the world, and become productive members of society. On the issue of funding, Senator Glover, the college has had a capital campaign. We are beginning construction of a new library coming up. We are also looking for a new facility for our Charleston Cougars and that ... the location is an issue at this point, but we realize that we are not getting all of the money from the State and we must look to private sources and to the alumni for the funding, and that's what we've done and that's what we will continue to do. At the College of Charleston, I served as
Printed Page 1159 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
president of student government. I was also president of Peer Mentor Association. And the Peer Mentor Association helps in that mentoring process, making sure students become a part of the campus and they will choose the major that works for them. When I was in law school, I was president of student government, of the Student Bar Association, and also president of the Public Interest Law Society. I am assistant city attorney in Greenville now. I was appointed when Merl Code, who is an attorney and one of our associate judges, vacated the seat, and I have enjoyed the position. I enjoy the fellow trustees on the board. I love the College of Charleston and would continue to support it as a trustee on the Board of Trustees. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions of Ms. Gammons from any Committee members? Senator Wilson.
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman. I would like to commend you on your counseling with your daughter and congratulations on her success. I had the same conversation with my oldest son, who attended Senator Glover's college, Francis Marion University, and we had the four year discussion. And he found out that summer school does exist and now he's a wonderful student at law school because he did finish in four years, and was focused, and so I appreciate very much your understanding that issue.
MS. GAMMONS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other Committee member? No. Thank you, Ms. Gammons.
MS. GAMMONS: Mr. Phillips, I just would like to tell you that out of all the candidates, you won't find someone as dedicated and as sincere as I am to the College of Charleston. I love that school dearly and if I am successful as trustee, will continue to work for the college to make sure it's the best college in the United States. Thank you.
MS. PHILLIPS: Thank you. At this time, we'll here from Dr. J.H. Corbitt.
(Oath administered to Dr. Corbitt.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Sir, do you have any health related problems that the Committee should be made aware of?
DR. CORBITT: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, would they prevent you from serving on a regular basis?
DR. CORBITT: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that would cause a conflict of interest by serving?
DR. CORBITT: No, sir.
Printed Page 1160 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any other elected or appointed position that would cause to be a dual office holder?
DR. CORBITT: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Would you proceed?
DR. CORBITT: Thank you, sir. I'm glad to be hear and thanks for inviting me to be here. I am a native of Salley. It's famous for chitlins. That's my hometown. I was gone for 11 years and have been Pastor for Springfield Baptist Church in Greenville for 27 years. I feel that my being on this Trustee Board of the College of Charleston would give new diversity. I think I could bring a fresh approach to the whole system. We who live in Greenville believe that the College of Charleston is a great school. We are excited about the College of Charleston in Greenville. We are three hours away and I feel I could give the upstate approach and creativity to the whole situation at the College of Charleston. I believe strongly in education. I have three earned degrees. My wife is a school teacher in Greenville, South Carolina. I am a former college professor and chaplain. I believe very highly in higher education. At our church, we average about 25 to 30 students every year going to college and about 90 percent finish college. I'm told that's pretty high for a black congregation, but we push it very, very hard. I want the College of Charleston to be one of the best schools in the nation. It's a great institution. I feel that I can bring diversity as a minority. I know the pain of being a minority. Of course, I have no evidence that the school is not doing all that it can do now for minorities at the College of Charleston. But I'm excited about the possibility and would be honored to serve on this Board of Trustees.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions from any Committee member? Dr. Corbitt, thank you for your offer here today. Next is W.T. Maynard.
(Oath administered to Mr. Maynard.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems that we need to be made aware of?
MR. MAYNARD: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and activities, would it cause you not to be able to serve on a regular basis?
MR. MAYNARD: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that would constitute a conflict of interest by being elected?
MR. MAYNARD: I do not.
Printed Page 1161 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any other appointed or elected position that would constitute dual office holding?
MR. MAYNARD: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Go ahead.
MR. MAYNARD: I was born and raised in Charleston. I spent the first 22 years of my life there. My mother is an alumnus of the College of Charleston, as well as numerous aunts, and uncles, and cousins, and a lot of good friends that attended the college. I left Charleston to attend Furman University and later the University of South Carolina, but have remained close to my home city and the school that my mother and number of family members have gone to. I for the last 14 years have been on the faculty at Converse College, where I teach finance, business law and management. While at Converse, I served as interim vice president of business affairs and finance. I began a continuing education program there. I have served as a freshman advisor. I served as an interviewer for the Melton Scholarship Program and have served on a number of faculty committees. I am an attorney with a limited private practice and I do also health care consulting out of my Spartanburg office. I have a great deal of interest in higher education. My wife and I have both benefited from the opportunities afforded us here in South Carolina. She currently is an instructor at Spartanburg Tech in transitional math. I think there are a number of challenges that are facing us in higher education at this point in time. Money is always a problem. Funding. Both public and private schools are always looking for additional funding, whether it's from the taxpayers, the General Assembly or going out and raising donations from business. I think the state schools have a unique obligation though in that they serve the entire state, but they also are the beneficiaries of taxpayer dollars and, therefore, we have to be good very good stewards of those dollars at public institutions. I would also say that because of the challenges now facing higher education and distance learning, the technology explosion, many colleges are faced with revamping or acquiring new software and hardware for your computers to stay current with students every 24 months to 18 months. It's a very expensive proposition. And I think lastly ... and, Senator Wilson, you have asked a question about a four year graduation rate. When I started Furman in 1967, I didn't work. I was going to school. My parents were paying the bills and I worked in the summer and later on as a sophomore and junior I worked when I transferred to the University of South Carolina. One of the things that I've noticed, particularly at Converse, but I think this is true at other colleges and
Printed Page 1162 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
universities, a number of students, for various reasons, have to work. They are not only working in many cases 20 hours, but sometimes 30 and 40 hours a week. And why I don't necessarily think that's a wise decision for them because it means they simply don't have the time to do all that they have to do as a student, many of them need the money to attend, so it really is a balancing act for them. Some parents ... I've had students tell me some parents have said, I paid my way through, you're going to pay your way through. I think that's an interesting approach. My parents paid for most of my way through. But I think that's one of the things that's impacted the four year graduation rate. And I think another thing, I'd like to see the data on it, and that is that we have a number of non-traditional students, people that are returning to college. Maybe they have gone for a year or two, maybe they haven't gone, and they are returning to college at age 23, 24, 25. We have a program at Converse, Converse Two, for the woman who is 25, who maybe has some hours, who is coming back to school. As you know, many employers will pay all or part for your education, depending on what grades you get, A or a B, and so that also would impact what has been a traditional four year graduation rate. If we are talking about a residential student, age 18, I think again, the major reason has been working and the of necessity working. And lastly I will say this. We've seen in a number of pre-professional career areas where the amount of hours required for the degree or certification have increased. For example, already in engineering and pharmacy, you really just about can't make it through in four years. However, right now in my area of the business, accounting majors will need 150 hours total to sit for the CPA exam. Well, as you know, 120 hours is typically what is required to graduate from a four year college. So they either have to go forward and work on a master's or they would take additional hours at the undergraduate level. So there are a number of things there, Senator Wilson, that would affect the four year graduation rate. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you and I would be delighted to answer any questions.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions from any Committee members? No. Thank you, sir.
MR. MAYNARD: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: The next candidate is Lawrence R. Miller.
(Oath administered to Mr. Miller.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems the Committee it needs to be made aware of?
MR. MILLER: No, sir.
Printed Page 1163 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and activities, would it prevent you from serving on a regular basis?
MR. MILLER: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interest, professionally or personally, that would cause a conflict of interest?
MR. MILLER: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold an appointed or elected position that would constitute dual office holding?
MR. MILLER: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Go ahead, sir.
MR. MILLER: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, other members of the committee. My name is Larry Miller. I am from Greenville. I have been in the banking business for 30 years in the upstate. I am aware that there are a number of reasons that people seek offices, whether it's political or whether it's to sit on a Board of Trustees of a university or college. Some people seek office because they have a political agenda that they want to follow. They have political aspirations that they want to seek. Still others have a personal cause that they want to follow and then there are others who want to serve because they have a great deal to contribute. They have something that they want to contribute. I fall into that last category. I want to serve because I have something to contribute. Thirty years of banking business has given me an opportunity to do a number of budgets and to come in on those budgets and bring those numbers in accordance to what the bank has asked me to do. I've had numerous occasions to prepare business plans and to see those business plans come to fruition. I've also had an opportunity to have a great deal of people management, manage people to success in the higher levels of the banking industry and see them go on to accomplish other things in the banks that I have worked in and also in other banks that I have ... that I am in competition with. I feel that with the opportunity to plan budgets, to manage individuals, with the exposure that I have had in dealing with a number of businesses, primarily in the upstate during my career, I have put my expertise to work. And this is especially true in the last five years when I took on the job as president and CEO of Southtrust Bank in the upstate. I was asked to start that bank de novo and we've only been in business for five years. We've taken the business now, the bank now, in the upstate, beyond budgeted expectations in the first five years and also beyond the profitable expectations that the bank had laid out for us. I do not take serving on any board lightly. As my resume stated, there are very few boards that
Printed Page 1164 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
I have served on. Not because I haven't been asked to do that, but because if I do it, I want to be able to give everything that I can to that board, my time, and my effort, and in some cases financial support where necessary. And that's what I would plan to do if elected to this board. I feel that in looking at this challenge that I have, that if I can't serve or I can't give it the opportunity, if I can't give it the chance to work, then I should not be here today to address you. Now, Senator, in relation to your four year question, I applaud that. I graduated in four years and I too knew what summer school was like. My daughter graduated Clemson University in four years and she knew what summer school was like. I think though we face a real challenge and as in any business, we have to look at this from the recruiting standpoint. I believe you are only as good as the people that you put around you. Your business is going to be successful, it's going to rise or it's going to fall based on the individuals that you hire. And in recruiting individuals for colleges and universities, I believe we must recruit the top students that we can find. I know that you all are very familiar with the student enrollment at South Carolina and Clemson and how a number of students now are unable to get into some of those universities. We see a number of top students who are not there. The field is fertile for these colleges and universities now that are represented here for us to be able to recruit good people, but I think it goes deeper than that, Senator. I think we have to recruit good professors. We have to recruit people who are dedicated to seeing that their students get a good education in a four year period of time, if that is feasible. So to that end, I think that what we need to do is to try to get that recruiting done and to find individuals and to find professors who are going to promote that kind of commitment from our students and in turn the board would promote that kind of commitment from professors as well. Can I answer any questions for you?
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Are there any members ... questions from any members? No.
MR. MILLER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Or any comments from any members? What is the pleasure of the Committee?
SENATOR WILSON: So moved.
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Motion and second have been made that we now certify you as candidates and you may seek commitments on the 29th at 12:00. You may stay for the rest of the meeting or you may go, whatever. You are now candidates. Thank you, sir.
Printed Page 1165 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
FRANCIS MARION
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Next is Francis Marion University with two congressional districts, the fourth district, seat 7, unopposed, Mr. L. Franklin Elmore. Mr. Elmore was appointed by Governor Hodges. Mr. Elmore.
MR. ELMORE: No ...
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Governor ...
MR. ELMORE: Mr. Dozier resigned his seat. It's to fill his unexpired term.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Oh, okay. I see. All right, sir.
(Oath administered to Mr. Elmore.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems, Mr. Elmore, that the Committee needs to be made aware of?
MR. ELMORE: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you consider your present occupation and activity which would prevent you from serving on a regular basis?
MR. ELMORE: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that would cause a conflict of interest?
MR. ELMORE: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you hold any office, appointed office, that would cause a dual office holding?
MR. ELMORE: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay, sir. Go ahead.
MR. ELMORE: Thank you, Chairman Phillips, Senator Glover, Senator Wilson, Representative Hines, Representative Martin. While I live in Greenville, I practice law with Olgetree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak and Stewart, I was born and grew up in Florence. I was in the second graduating class of Francis Marion College. Thanks to Dr. J. Howard Stokes, he assisted me in getting admitted on a probationary basis to the University of South Carolina at Florence at that time, and then subsequently I was fortunate enough to receive a Emmie C. Lee Scholarship, which was named after Dr. Lee's wife. I played tennis for four years at Francis Marion. I was president of the student body, vice president of the student body, and served as freshman class president and freshman ... sophomore class president. Senator Wilson, I attended high school with your wife. I'm offering for this office because I owe something back to Francis Marion College. On their 25th anniversary in 1997, after I had left Florence in 1987, and, Senator Glover was practicing law with (inaudible) for about 14 years, I was honored as one of their 25 outstanding alumni. I have
Printed Page 1166 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
contributed to the College financially. I was a great supporter of Walter John Smith when he was president of the college. And then something happened in the early '90s. I wasn't living in Florence, but I certainly read about it in the paper. Whether the faculty and administration lost faith in the president or whether the legislature lost faith in the president still is not clear to me. But I do know that when I attended Fred Carter's inauguration that there is a renewed enthusiasm and spirit, not only among the administrative offices, but also among the faculty there. His slogan and philosophy and mission, I believe, if I can paraphrase it for President Carter, is to excel academically and professionally on all levels. Francis Marion serves a unique role in our state. It's sort of a blue collar college or university. Most of the people who attend Francis Marion live within the Peedee area. There's approximately 7,000 students there while there's only dormitory space for approximately 1,500 students. Francis Marion doesn't come to the trough every year and ask for a lot of money from the state legislature. I do know that this year there's one building which is included in the bond bill that I'm sure that President Carter and others will be talking to you all about as the process goes forward. Senator Wilson, I also graduated in four years and I worked my way through college. I did it with a combination of work study, some scholarships, some loans. I also have a 15 year old daughter that we're talking about now getting ready to take the SAT's and go to school. I think Francis Marion is a little bit like Coastal Carolina in that you have a lot of people who are older students who have gone back and gone to college either for the first time or to finish up. In listening to some of the other candidates for the other trustee positions, I was particularly struck with the Citadel's program for mentoring. I will be candid with you. I don't know if Francis Marion has a mentoring program. I was struck with Cathy Harvin's comments about distance or accessibility. But again, it all starts at home as well. It's much better for me economically if my oldest daughter completes Francis Marion or any other school in four years than if she is on the five, or the six, or the seven and a half year plan, or whatever it might be at the time. Although I do recognize, as Larry did, the last candidate who was before you, that a lot of the academic requirements have increased since I was in school. You have to take more hours and sometimes you can't get all those hours in a four year curriculum and it is going to require summer school or it is going perhaps to require four and a half years. I know that Fred Carter is committed to increasing the profile of Francis Marion. I know that he is committed to increasing the quality of the education at Francis
Printed Page 1167 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
Marion. For those of you who do know Fred, he was an educator at the College of Charleston before he went on ... before he became the director of the Budget and Control Board, and we all know the fine job that he did there. I just hope that I am ... I look forward to working with Fred Carter in truly making Francis Marion one of the outstanding educational opportunities for the students in this State. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Are there any members of the Committee that have any questions? Thank you, Mr. Elmore.
MR. ELMORE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Second district, seat 3. Bill Ellen.
(Oath administered to Mr. Ellen.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and other activities, would it prevent you from serving on a Board on a regular basis?
MR. ELLEN: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interests, professionally or personally, that would cause a conflict of interest?
MR. ELLEN: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any elected or appointed position that would cause a dual office holding?
MR. ELLEN: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Go ahead, sir.
MR. ELLEN: Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I would like to thank you for allowing me to come before you today. I'm a graduate of Francis Marion University. At the time, it was Francis Marion College. While in school, I served on student government and was involved in several student organizations. My career has just in recent years come to the point where I'm in a position to give something back to Francis Marion. I think it's important to help promote Francis Marion to the midlands area. I feel as a member of the board that I would certainly be better informed and more involved to help promote Francis Marion. In my work, I come in contact with a lot of student organizations, with conventions and conferences, and I'd like the opportunity to be informed and be involved to help educate those students more on Francis Marion so that it might be a school on their list of considerations when they go to school. Historically, Francis Marion has drawn the majority of students from the Peedee region, understandably so, but I think it's important for the growth of Francis Marion that more students throughout the State and here in the midlands know about Francis Marion. I didn't know that Senator
Printed Page 1168 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
Wilson's son attended Francis Marion. I would like to see more students from the midlands to learn about Francis Marion and let it be one of their choices. I feel like being a board member will allow me that opportunity. I have a 5 year old and a 4 year old at home. Because of them, my thoughts about education are certainly a lot more serious than they have been in the past. I want to be involved in our educational system. They are just preparing to enter our educational system and I want to set an example not only for them, but I think it's important that parents show involvement and the interest in education, and I think that by being on the board, it will allow me this opportunity to be more involved.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Any of the Committee members have any questions? None. Thank you, sir.
MR. ELLEN: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any comments?
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman, as a very satisfied and happy parent of a graduate of Francis Marion University, which has many dedicated professors, and that's what was so helpful to him, who put time into his courses, they are just wonderful. I would like to move that these two persons be certified.
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: There's a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying aye?
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Aye.
REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Yes.
REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN: I would like to add something since I've been kind of quiet and just kind of taking all this in. But I've been a part of Francis Marion, too, because my husband is one of those adults who went back to school there after his time in the service, so part of that grooming of the grass and all the other endeavors and my being a wife that helped send her husband back to school paid off. So thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: That's good. Thank you. There's been a motion and a second. We have certified you. All in favor ... did we vote?
SENATOR WILSON: No. We haven't voted.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: All in favor signify by saying aye.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay, sir. You have been certified and you may seek commitments on the 29th, Thursday a week at 12:00 and you
Printed Page 1169 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
may contact by letter, telephone or whatever that day. Thank you for being here and thank you all as a candidate. Don't want to rush anybody, but if you'll cut it a little short, this room has to be vacated by 1:00 for another committee to move in. And we weren't anticipating it taking this long, but we appreciate the information that you've given and all who have left here have given and we're looking forward to hearing from you. So if you would, try to limit your comments a little bit and we'll try to be lenient with you.
WIL LOU GRAY OPPORTUNITY
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: We'll start out with at-large with have four seats and we have six candidates for the four seats. And our candidates are Clotilda Diggs, Russell E. Hart, Dan Smith, Elizabeth Thrailkill, Donna Bagwell, and Perry Johnson. At this time we'll hear from Ms. Clotilda Diggs.
(Oath administered to Ms. Diggs.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems this committee needs to be made aware of?
MS. DIGGS: No, I do not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and activities, would it prevent you from serving on a regular basis?
MS. DIGGS: No, it would not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interest professionally or personally that would constitute a conflict of interest?
MS. DIGGS: No, I do not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: And are you holding any other elected or appointed position that we need to be made aware of?
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Please go ahead.
MS. DIGGS: Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, for having me at this ... giving me this opportunity. I shall make this succinct. I wrote it so that I would not have to say it twice trying to get it correct. I hope so anyway. I'm sorry that we can't hold our products for four years as our previous members have, but we hope to do all that we are going to do for ours in 22 weeks. And we do promise that we will send out to this community and other communities excellent products. In my testimony I indicated to you that I would serve with firmness, fairness and practicality. In like manner, I said that my concern would be to mirror competence, confidentiality, courtesy and cooperation as I work with Wil Lou Gray Opportunity administration, its teaching staff, supportive services and students and parents. My plan is to do what every good board member should do and that is to bring to Wil Lou Gray some experience. And when I say experience, I want to bring to
Printed Page 1170 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
Wil Lou Gray the experience of an educator and a community worker who has worked for more than 45 years with peoples from grades four through senior high school and now doing some work with adult education, which you know the Wil Lou Gray program is geared toward that mode. I have worked with students from basic education through the gifted and the talented. And you do have one of my talented students among you. I have worked on curricula that has focused on at risk youth and on my vitae, you did find that I have worked on the revision of reading for the State of South Carolina with the Board of Education. Another thing that I will bring to Wil Lou Gray is a caring attitude, making certain that I enforce the policy that will ensure the best for our students. Then I want to bring commitment to the mission that all will be afforded a second chance as promised by the original mission of Wil Lou Gray Opportunity. And finally, I hope to always bring to this board freshness in that innovative programs are necessary if we are to reach the kinds of students that we would like to come to Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School, and I will not tell you anything else. You may ask me.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you. Are there any questions? None.
SENATOR GLOVER: I have no question, but please allow me to make a comment. I'd like to, first of all, thank Ms. Diggs for her years of service on this board. And I think I know her better than any of the other candidates that have appeared before us today. And I just think sometimes it's important for us to thank people for often what is a thankless position. Usually when there are problems, it's to the Board of Trustees that people come and you hear a lot of squawking and complaining most of the time. But I do want you to know that I'm aware that Wil Lou Gray is a much better institution because of your service there. And God willing, hopefully that this will be a continuation of another reelection to that board.
MS. DIGGS: Thank you very kindly.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions or any comments?
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: I too would just like to make an observation. I don't know Ms. Diggs as well as Senator Glover, but I certainly have admired over the years her long standing practice with a team, with her husband, her team, in the Florence area. They certainly have made an outstanding contribution and I'm just delighted to see her serve.
MS. DIGGS: Thank you. Hopefully we can continue.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions? Comments? Thank you, Ms. Diggs. Next is Mr. Russell E. Hart.
Printed Page 1171 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
(Oath was administered to Mr. Hart.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems that the committee needs to be made aware of?
MR. HART: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and activities, would it keep you from attending the board meetings on a regular basis?
MR. HART: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interest, professionally or personally, that would cause a conflict of interest?
MR. HART: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you hold any other public or elected position?
MR. HART: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Thank you, sir. Go ahead.
MR. HART: I want to thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today for the candidacy for the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School. Most of my professional career has been in the public service field teaching and coach in public schools in South Carolina, YMCA Work and Parks and Recreation, retired director of Parks and Recreation for the County of Spartanburg for the consolidated program there, the city and county. Offering for reelection to the Board of Wil Lou Gray. I feel that we have an institution there that can indeed give our children, our youth, a second chance in life. And I think there are many youth in this state that deserve that second chance in life. I wish to serve on that board to ensure that we have faculty and staff there that have the ability to transfer knowledge and to modify behavior. I feel like we need an environment that we have discipline and we have love and we have compassion as we deal with the youth that come through our doors there. So with this in mind, this is the reason I offer my services, being in the field, working primarily with youth. And I desire to continue to see the youth of today, the circumstances that we see all around about us, and give them an opportunity to return them to society where they will become very productive citizens for our State of South Carolina or wherever they choose to live.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions from the committee members, comments? I would like to offer a sympathy, Russell, for the loss of your brother Carlisle Hart who served as Chairman of the Board for Broad River Electric Co-op, the public service that you've given and he's given and also to, I think, another brother, John Hart who serves in the House of Representatives.
Printed Page 1172 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
MR. HART: Well, not a brother.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Kinfolk.
MR. HART: That's Frank Hart who served in education, too.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: I appreciate all of the Hart family and for their contributions to the State of South Carolina and certainly to you for your services to Wil Lou Gray Board of Trustees.
MR. HART: Representative Phillips, I appreciate those kind words about Carlisle. He was a good brother and good friend and we love him too. I appreciate those kind words very much, sir. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. Next is Mr. Dan Smith.
(Oath administered to Mr. Smith.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems that we need to know about this time, the committee?
MR. SMITH: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Does your occupation or activities cause you not to be able to attend the board meetings on a regular basis?
MR. SMITH: No.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interest professionally or personally that would cause a conflict of interest?
MR. SMITH: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you hold any another elected or public office that would cause dual office holding?
MR. SMITH: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: You may go ahead.
MR. SMITH: Four years ago I was elected to the Board of Wil Lou Gray and I found this to be a very rewarding opportunity. The opportunity to offer young people who have had some problems in life and need a second chance, an opportunity to allow them to prove that they do have some worth to society. And I feel that we are making a lot of progress during these four years that I have served with these young people. We have had a large increase in the number of students receiving their GED. We have had our image in the community improve quite a bit and we have operated with fiscal responsibility. Our financial situation has been good and you probably know that the last audit at the school we had no deficiencies found and that's really outstanding. And I feel that our administration is doing a good job in that line and been chairman of the finance committee for two of the four years that I've been on the board, a member for a third year. I feel that we're watching over the taxpayers' money and trying to give them the best services that we can for the least cost. And we're proud the
Printed Page 1173 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
way the school is operating and I look forward to an opportunity of serving for four more years, hopefully.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions from any committee member? All right. Thank you, Mr. Smith. Next is Ms. Elizabeth Thrailkill.
(Oath administered to Ms. Thrailkill)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems that we need to be made aware of?
MS. THRAILKILL: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your occupation and activities, would it bar you from attending and to serve on a regular basis?
MS. THRAILKILL: No, it will not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you hold presently or personally anything that would cause a conflict of interest?
MS. THRAILKILL: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any public or appointed position that would cause a dual office holding?
MS. THRAILKILL: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Go ahead, please.
MS. THRAILKILL: Mr. Chairman and committee members, I thank you for your time today because this is a time consuming process, and I thank you for the support that has been given by the legislative bodies of which you are a part of. I am currently an incumbent at the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School and am also serving as Vice Chair. You have a brief resume so I won't belabor that information. I knew Dr. Wil Lou Gray personally. She was a true pioneer for what I believe we now call life long learning. And she is still an inspiration for my service on this board. I serve with a very able board and we have a very fine director who works very diligently to assist us with all aspects of our responsibilities. Our most recent audit shows that we are indeed good stewards. We don't have a football team but we do have a mentoring program, and we have an award winning ROTC program, drill team. Our biggest problem right now is that we don't have enough space in the trophy cases for all the awards that this group has won.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions from any committee members? We appreciate your service. The next is Ms. Donna Bagwell.
(Oath administered to Ms. Bagwell.)
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems that we need to be made aware of?
MS. BAGWELL: No, sir.
Printed Page 1174 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and activities, would it prevent you from serving on a regular basis?
MS. BAGWELL: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interest, professionally or personally, that would cause a conflict of interest?
MS. BAGWELL: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any other appointed or elected position that would cause dual office holding?
MS. BAGWELL: Do not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Go ahead.
MS. BAGWELL: Thank you. I appreciate this opportunity to be with you all this afternoon to seek appointment to one of the four at-large board seats to be filled for Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School. The youth of our state represent our future and what it will become. As a parent of a special needs child, it has always been my desire to see more done to ensure that all youth are provided educational opportunities. I know how teachers and school administrators can set aside young people who require more time and attention. But I am also aware of the accomplishments that challenged individuals are capable of achieving if given the proper support and motivation. Having dealt with the educational system at both the county and the university level, I feel that I may be able to provide this board with a different perspective as to some of the incompetencies these young people who come to the Opportunity School have faced in the past. Through the efforts of a program such as Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School, the at risk youth that it serves are being given a chance to succeed. We should be proud of the many accomplishments of the program and make every effort to ensure of its continued success. Because of my desire to assist challenged youth, be they physically, mentally or otherwise challenged, I am asking for your favorable consideration of my request for appointment to this board. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Committee members have any questions? I do. Ms. Bagwell, how did you become interested in being on the Board of Wil Lou Gray?
MS. BAGWELL: I heard about what this school is doing. I think these type of children deserve a second chance and I would like to be part of doing that.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Are you familiar with the coalition between the South Carolina National Guard and Wil Lou Gray?
MS. BAGWELL: Yes, somewhat.
Printed Page 1175 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: In a letter you sent out earlier, you stated that you could bring to the board some expertise that they didn't have. Are you familiar with the board? Do you know any of the board members?
MS. BAGWELL: No, no. It was based primarily on some of the experiences I have had with my own child who was a special needs child coming up through the educational system, and felt as though some of those experiences would help in this type of situation as well.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Okay. Any other questions? Next candidate is Perry Johnson.
(Oath administered to Mr. Johnson.)
MR. PHILLIPS: Do you have any health related problems that we need to be made aware of?
MR. JOHNSON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Considering your present occupation and activities, would it prevent you from serving on the board on a regular basis?
MR. JOHNSON: No, sir, it wouldn't.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you have any interest professionally or personally that would cause a conflict of interest?
MR. JOHNSON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you now hold any other elected or appointed position that would cause dual office holding?
MR. JOHNSON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Go ahead, sir.
MR. JOHNSON: Good morning, Senators and Representatives of the Screening Committee. My name is Perry Johnson. I'm a current resident of Garden City and Horry County. I think the paper said I'm from Georgetown. I'm before you about my candidacy for the Board of Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School. My 38 years experience in industry including 19 years as owner and president of High Tech Heat Incorporated gives me a special overview of what industry needs in its employees. My company supplies equipment in 28 countries in the world, and this gives me a unique overview of the citizens of South Carolina, their intelligence and their strong work ethics. The Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School allows a second chance for our youth to succeed in acquiring basic skills and education. And our youth are our most important assets of this state. If elected, I will bring a different view to this board.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any questions by the committee? I want to ask you, as a candidate, how did you become interested in the Wil Lou Gray School?
Printed Page 1176 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
MR. JOHNSON: I've heard about the job that Wil Lou Gray School is doing and I have visited the school and looked at it somewhat. I've been told by my son, Joe Johnson, who majored in National Guard, too.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Do you know about the relationship with the South Carolina National Guard and how can you expand? Can you give us some information on that?
MR. JOHNSON: I know that there is a relationship there, sir. And I do know that the National Guard is able to bring federal monies into the school which augments the budget and other things there.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Are you familiar with any of the board members? Do you know ...
MR. JOHNSON: No, sir, I do not.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Any other questions from any committee members? None. Any comments?
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman, I am very honored that the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School is located in the Senate District that I represent, so I'm very proud of their success. And I'm particular pleased with the leadership of the board members in working with the youth challenged program that's been so inspiring. At this time, I also want to recognize the superintendent of the school and high honorable mayor of the growing Town of Springdale who is here, so we're very happy to have Pat Smith in the audience. And at this time I would like to move for certification.
REPRESENTATIVE HINES: Second.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: Motion and a second. All in favor of certifying the candidates please signify by saying aye.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS: All right, sir. This certifies you as a candidate and you may solicit on the 29th at 12:00 as we said to the others. And this ends and concludes the screening process.
(There being nothing further, the meeting was concluded at 12:58 p.m.)
Findings of Fact
The Committee to Screen Candidates for Boards of Trustees of State Colleges and Universities finds the following candidates for Boards of Trustees qualified. Background reports from the State Law Enforcement Division show no felony charges against any of the candidates.
Printed Page 1177 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
The Citadel At-large - one seat
Col. Dennis J. Rhoad (Charleston)
Coastal Carolina University Five congressional districts, one at large
2nd District, Seat 4 Dr. James F. Kane (Columbia)
3rd District, Seat 6 Mr. William L. Lyles, Jr.(Anderson)
4th District, Seat 8 Mr. Keith S. Smith (Greer)
5th District, Seat 10 Mr. Robert D. Brown (Camden)
6th District, Seat 12 Mrs. Cathy B. Harvin (Summerton)
At-large, Seat 14 Mr. Dean P. Hudson (Conway)
College of Charleston One congressional district
4th District, Seat 8 Mrs. Debra Gammons (Greenville)
Dr. J. H. Corbitt (Greenville)
Mr. W. T. Maynard (Spartanburg)
Mr. Lawrence R. Miller (Greenville)
Francis Marion University Two congressional districts
2nd District, Seat 3 Mr. Bill Ellen (Columbia)
4th District, Seat 7 Mr. L. Franklin Elmore(Greenville)
South Carolina State Two congressional districts, two at large
5th District, Seat 5 Dr. James W. Sanders (Gaffney)
6th District, Seat 6 Mr. Maurice Washington (Charleston)
Mr. Jesse J. Williams, Jr. (Greeleyville)
At-large, Seat 8 Mr. Neville Lorick(Columbia)
At-large, Seat 10 Dr. William C. Clinkscales (Clemson)
Wil Lou Gray Opportunity At large-four seats
Mrs. Clotilda Diggs (Florence)
Mr. Russell E. Hart (Roebuck)
Mr. Dan Smith (Gaffney)
Mrs. Elizabeth Thrailkill (Fort Lawn)
Mrs. Donna Bagwell (Greenville)
Mr. Perry Johnson (Garden City)
Printed Page 1178 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
Respectfully submitted,
Rep. Olin Phillips, Chrm. Sen. "Addison" Joe Wilson, V-Chrm.
Rep. Becky Martin, Sec. Sen. Warren K. Giese
Rep. Lanny F. Littlejohn Sen. Maggie W. Glover
Rep. Jesse E. Hines
ORDERED ENROLLED FOR RATIFICATION
The following Joint Resolution 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. 3792 (Word version) -- Reps. Rice and Simrill: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT EVERY VALID LICENSE AND PERMIT TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY THAT IS SUBJECT TO RENEWAL AND REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE RENEWED IN THE MONTHS OF MARCH, APRIL, OR MAY OF 2001 IS EXTENDED AND UNLESS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED FOR CAUSE IN THE INTERIM, MUST REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2001.
By prior motion of Senator WILSON, with unanimous consent
THIRD READING BILLS
The following Bills and Joint Resolution were read the third time and ordered sent to the House of Representatives:
S. 522 (Word version) -- Senators Wilson, Ryberg, Alexander, Anderson, Bauer, Branton, Courson, Drummond, Elliott, Fair, Ford, Giese, Glover, Gregory, Grooms, Hawkins, Hayes, Holland, Hutto, Jackson, Land, Leatherman, Leventis, Martin, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, Mescher, Moore, O'Dell, Passailaigue, Patterson, Peeler, Pinckney, Rankin, Ravenel, Reese, Richardson, Ritchie, Saleeby, Setzler, Short, J. Verne Smith, Thomas, Verdin and Waldrep: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT EVERY VALID LICENSE AND PERMIT TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY THAT IS SUBJECT TO RENEWAL AND REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE RENEWED IN THE MONTHS OF MARCH, APRIL, OR MAY OF 2001 IS EXTENDED AND UNLESS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED FOR CAUSE IN THE
Printed Page 1179 . . . . . Friday, March 30, 2001
INTERIM, MUST REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2001.
By prior motion of Senator WILSON, with unanimous consent
S. 301 (Word version) -- Senator Fair: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 17-5-250, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, AND SECTIONS 17-5-260, 17-5-265, 17-5-275, AND 17-5-300, ALL AS AMENDED, ALL RELATING TO THE DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF THE OFFICE OF COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER, SO AS TO ADD THAT THE CORONER OR HIS DESIGNEE IN THE COUNTY IS ALSO AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM CERTAIN DUTIES AND REQUIRED TO MAKE CERTAIN NOTIFICATIONS IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER.
By prior motion of Senator FAIR, with unanimous consent
S. 519 (Word version) -- Senator Pinckney: A BILL TO ENACT THE JASPER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOND-PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE IMPLEMENTATION FOLLOWING REFERENDUM APPROVAL OF A SALES AND USE TAX IN JASPER COUNTY NOT TO EXCEED ONE PERCENT FOR DEBT SERVICE ON GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS ISSUED FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION OR FOR DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION.
By prior motion of Senator PINCKNEY
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:20 A.M., on motion of Senator SETZLER, the Senate adjourned to meet next Tuesday, April 3, 2001, at 12:00 Noon.
* * *
This web page was last updated on
Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 1:18 P.M.