Columbia, SC (WLTX) - A House subcommittee has approved a measure that would temporarily close South Carolina State University to allow the school to correct its finances.

 

The Higher Education and Technical Colleges subcommittee approved the measure on a 3-1 vote Tuesday afternoon. The bill still must go to the full House Ways and Means committee, and potentially the entire House, for consideration.

 

Another House panel met later in the day to discuss the matter further, but after nearly an hour of conversation, tabled their work until Wednesday.

 

If approved, the school would shut down July 1st, would remain closed for the entire 2015-2016 school year, and would reopen in fall of 2017. All programs, both academic and athletic, would be affected. The school's president and board of trustees would be fired, and faculty and staff would be dismissed.

 

The state would assume all debt and pay off all outstanding debts to vendors and loans made from the Contingency Reserve Fund.

 

Students who have a 2.5 GPA or higher and qualify to transfer to another in-state school would have their tuition paid for up to four years.

 

 

 

Subcommittee Votes to Close SC State University

sounds like not too bad a deal for the students.

Yeah, I am trying to figure out why the students get free tuition if they go to another in-state school. Now if they student is on scholarship at SC State, I understand. However, if not on scholarship there, why would they get a scholarship at another school?

Yeah, I am trying to figure out why the students get free tuition if they go to another in-state school. Now if they student is on scholarship at SC State, I understand. However, if not on scholarship there, why would they get a scholarship at another school?

 

To compensate for the unforeseen displacement.