TO REMOVE THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY AND DEVOLVE THE BOARD'S POWERS UPON THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD AND DIRECT THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD TO REMOVE THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY AND EMPLOY AN INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WHO SHALL SERVE AT-WILL AT THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD TO AID IN DIRECTING THE UNIVERSITY IN A NEW DIRECTION WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ADDRESSING AND CORRECTING THE ONGOING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES OF THE UNIVERSITY IN ORDER TO KEEP THE UNIVERSITY FUNCTIONAL AND MAINTAIN ITS ACCREDITATION.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly recognize the rich historical significance of South Carolina State University and that it is critical that this institution of higher learning continues to remain open and functional to serve current and future students seeking the valuable educational experience that South Carolina State University can and should continue to provide; and

Whereas, removing the current members of the Board of Trustees of South Carolina State University and replacing the board temporarily with the members of the State Budget and Control Board and removing the current President in favor of an interim chief operating officer to guide the institution out of its current financial difficulties is a wise decision at this point in South Carolina State University's history. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    (A)    The members of the Board of Trustees of South Carolina State University currently serving on the effective date of this joint resolution are hereby removed from service and the powers and duties of the board are transferred to and devolved upon the State Budget and Control Board. The State Budget and Control Board is directed to remove the current president of South Carolina State University and is directed to employ an interim chief executive officer who shall serve at-will at the pleasure of the State Budget and Control Board.

(B)    The interim chief executive officer whose actions must be overseen by the board shall review both the educational accreditation of the university and the past and current financial situation of the university and make recommendations both to the board and to the General Assembly regarding the path that the university must pursue in order to lead the university out of the current financial crisis with an emphasis on having the university return to the valuable and functional institution of higher learning that it has been in the past.

SECTION    2.    The General Assembly recognizes and values the belief that to be effective, the governing board of a university must be allowed to operate without unreasonable intrusions or undue influence from the government, but that circumstances render actions taken by the General Assembly in this joint resolution to be entirely reasonable and long overdue to preserve and restore the institution to meet the expectations of a university worthy of accreditation.

SECTION    3.    The board and the interim chief executive officer shall serve in their respective capacities until the election of new members of the board of trustees for South Carolina State University by the General Assembly.

SECTION    4.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.