South Carolina State University is once again in the hands of an interim president after its board of trustees placed the institution’s latest leader, Dr. Thomas Elzey, on administrative leave with pay.
S.C. State’s board of trustees removed Elzey from his position Monday, just 20 months after hiring him to help fix the institution’s financial and management problems, and just days after giving him a vote of confidence. He will continue to receive his $326,000 annual salary. The board named interim provost W. Franklin Evans as acting president.
As an indication of the school’s turbulent recent history, Evans was acting president when Elzey was hired. Evans had replaced the interim president, who replaced an acting president, who replaced Dr. George Cooper, the last permanent president, who lasted less than four years and left amid controversy.
Evans released a statement shortly after the board met in executive session to discuss Elzey’s status. “Under my leadership, we will continue to move forward in preserving the rich legacy of excellence that is SC State University,” Evans stated. “These are critical times at SC State; therefore, it is imperative that we remain focused on the matters most important to the institution’s short- and long-term sustainability.”
He also said he was willing to serve in the position “for as long as I am called upon.”
The board announced it would meet again Thursday. The future of board members remains uncertain. Members of the state legislature in both political parties have called for their dismissal. U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., and his wife, Almeta, both alumni of SCSU, also called for the board and president of the university to be removed.
Students had urged state officials to give Elzey more time. Former student newspaper editor Dana Brooks told Diverse, “They must have been expecting a miracle from him. There were years of financial mismanagement before he came.”
