Post by aggierattler on Jul 28, 2015 18:24:08 GMT -5
From the Orangeburg Times & Democrat: thetandd.com/news/scsu-improving-but-change-must-continue-chairman-says/article_2b756de5-343d-5375-8787-1854a303529b.html
‘A DIFFERENT PATH’
SCSU improving, but change must continue, chairman says
July 26, 2015 12:30 am • By MARTHA ROSE BROWN T&D Staff Writer
South Carolina State University Chairman Charlie Way, at left, shares a laugh with trustee Donnie Shell, seated at right, prior to addressing a crowd at S.C. State’s 26th Annual National Alumni Convention.
South Carolina State University has been on a rough ride this year, but its situation is quickly improving, the board chairman says.
“This is the year when South Carolina State will be setting a new course,” Charlie Way told alumni Saturday afternoon.
Way, an Orangeburg native, became chairman after lawmakers removed the entire board and installed a new one. He spoke during S.C. State’s 26th National Alumni Association Convention, which was held on campus.
“We know many of you have had serious concerns because of the bad news you’ve been hearing over the past several months. It’s been a rough ride for all of you and South Carolina State,” Way said.
“We’ve seen a president come and go. We’ve seen a board come and go and now you have a new board that’s in front of you. You’ve even heard that South Carolina State was going to be closing,” Way said.
Way paused for a second.
“Let me reassure you, South Carolina State is open for business and we’re here to stay,” he said.
The alumni applauded in response.
Alumni filled the auditorium of the Engineering and Computer Science Complex to standing room only.
“There’s good news to report to you despite what you’ve been told. There’s good news to report,” Way said.
He praised the work of recently named Interim President Dr. Franklin Evans for maintaining the university’s Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation and for leading the board in its approval of a balanced budget for the current fiscal year. That budget cut some $19 million in spending.
Way said that S.C. State has received more than $6 million from the Blue Ribbon Committee set up by state lawmakers. The university is expected to receive additional funding from the state.
“South Carolina State must show the legislature that the administrators and the board of trustees are going forward on a different path from the ones in the past,” Way said.
Although the new board has been seated for two months and has met five times, efforts to right-size the university have been significant, Way said. But the university’s success will depend on the financial support of alumni.
The average annual giving by alumni over a 10-year timeframe is $750,000, Way said. Increasing it to $1 million would be ideal.
The university made a first step in the right direction by producing a balanced budget, but Way said the university must also increase charitable giving.
“The board has committed to raising $1 million for scholarships,” he said.
He’s been speaking with potential donors, whose first question is often, “What are the alumni doing toward contributions?”
A few quiet mumbles were heard throughout the auditorium.
“My response is, ‘South Carolina State alumni have been there for us when no one else would rally for our call and they will rally again to ensure that their alma mater remains,’” he said. The audience’s applause roared over Way’s words.
“We’re here, we’re open to a promising future and I’m counting on you to please help us,” Way said.
The university’s balanced budget is based on a student enrollment of 2,650 students. As of Friday, the student enrollment for this fall totaled 2,543.
“We’d love to have 3,000 students,” Way said.
Board member Donnie Shell reminded alumni that “South Carolina State University didn’t get into this overnight.”
“We’re righting the ship,” he said. “It’s not upright yet.”
“I believe in God and I believe in a miracle-working God,” Shell said, urging alumni to remain dedicated and patient during the upcoming months and years.
Shell asked alumni to use their “Bulldog tenacity” to remain focused in their support for the university.
“We’ve made significant progress in the last few months, but we still have a long way to go to get this university back to its glory days, the days that you remember. We have a lot to do, but one thing is for certain: We can’t do it without you. It’s impossible to do this without your help,” Way said.
He noted that he, the board and administrators are working to “pave the road ahead to make sure South Carolina State is around for another 119 years.”
“We’re doing that through transparency, accountability, good stewardship and sound best business practices,” Way said.
Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545 Follow on Twitter: @mrbrowntandd
‘A DIFFERENT PATH’
SCSU improving, but change must continue, chairman says
July 26, 2015 12:30 am • By MARTHA ROSE BROWN T&D Staff Writer
South Carolina State University Chairman Charlie Way, at left, shares a laugh with trustee Donnie Shell, seated at right, prior to addressing a crowd at S.C. State’s 26th Annual National Alumni Convention.
South Carolina State University has been on a rough ride this year, but its situation is quickly improving, the board chairman says.
“This is the year when South Carolina State will be setting a new course,” Charlie Way told alumni Saturday afternoon.
Way, an Orangeburg native, became chairman after lawmakers removed the entire board and installed a new one. He spoke during S.C. State’s 26th National Alumni Association Convention, which was held on campus.
“We know many of you have had serious concerns because of the bad news you’ve been hearing over the past several months. It’s been a rough ride for all of you and South Carolina State,” Way said.
“We’ve seen a president come and go. We’ve seen a board come and go and now you have a new board that’s in front of you. You’ve even heard that South Carolina State was going to be closing,” Way said.
Way paused for a second.
“Let me reassure you, South Carolina State is open for business and we’re here to stay,” he said.
The alumni applauded in response.
Alumni filled the auditorium of the Engineering and Computer Science Complex to standing room only.
“There’s good news to report to you despite what you’ve been told. There’s good news to report,” Way said.
He praised the work of recently named Interim President Dr. Franklin Evans for maintaining the university’s Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation and for leading the board in its approval of a balanced budget for the current fiscal year. That budget cut some $19 million in spending.
Way said that S.C. State has received more than $6 million from the Blue Ribbon Committee set up by state lawmakers. The university is expected to receive additional funding from the state.
“South Carolina State must show the legislature that the administrators and the board of trustees are going forward on a different path from the ones in the past,” Way said.
Although the new board has been seated for two months and has met five times, efforts to right-size the university have been significant, Way said. But the university’s success will depend on the financial support of alumni.
The average annual giving by alumni over a 10-year timeframe is $750,000, Way said. Increasing it to $1 million would be ideal.
The university made a first step in the right direction by producing a balanced budget, but Way said the university must also increase charitable giving.
“The board has committed to raising $1 million for scholarships,” he said.
He’s been speaking with potential donors, whose first question is often, “What are the alumni doing toward contributions?”
A few quiet mumbles were heard throughout the auditorium.
“My response is, ‘South Carolina State alumni have been there for us when no one else would rally for our call and they will rally again to ensure that their alma mater remains,’” he said. The audience’s applause roared over Way’s words.
“We’re here, we’re open to a promising future and I’m counting on you to please help us,” Way said.
The university’s balanced budget is based on a student enrollment of 2,650 students. As of Friday, the student enrollment for this fall totaled 2,543.
“We’d love to have 3,000 students,” Way said.
Board member Donnie Shell reminded alumni that “South Carolina State University didn’t get into this overnight.”
“We’re righting the ship,” he said. “It’s not upright yet.”
“I believe in God and I believe in a miracle-working God,” Shell said, urging alumni to remain dedicated and patient during the upcoming months and years.
Shell asked alumni to use their “Bulldog tenacity” to remain focused in their support for the university.
“We’ve made significant progress in the last few months, but we still have a long way to go to get this university back to its glory days, the days that you remember. We have a lot to do, but one thing is for certain: We can’t do it without you. It’s impossible to do this without your help,” Way said.
He noted that he, the board and administrators are working to “pave the road ahead to make sure South Carolina State is around for another 119 years.”
“We’re doing that through transparency, accountability, good stewardship and sound best business practices,” Way said.
Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545 Follow on Twitter: @mrbrowntandd
