Republicans Threaten to Pull Funding for SC State University After Black Students Viral Protest
Students at South Carolina State University, one of several historically Black colleges and universities in the area, protested against Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette being this year’s commencement speaker. Now, lawmakers want to defund the state’s only publicly funded Black college as revenge.
It all started less than two weeks before this year’s graduating class was set to walk the stage. University officials announced Lt. Gov. Evette– a MAGA Republican– was invited to speak at the upcoming ceremony, WACH reported. In response, students at the HBCU made their voices heard, prompting the university to rescind its invitation.
While the April controversy seemed to be going in students’ favor, a recent push to strip the college of its funding is growing legs, especially as more Republicans join the movement.
“It is shameful that a state institution, supported by taxpayer dollars, would capitulate and rescind an invitation to our sitting Lt. Governor – seemingly because some students do not agree with her political views,” nine state representatives wrote in a joint statement. “Institutions of higher learning are intended to be a space where young adults are presented with a variety of viewpoints and ideas, not centers of indoctrination where conservative views are not welcome.”
Evette, who is running for state governor, was the only candidate in the current race to stand with President Donald Trump back in January 2023 during his first visit to South Carolina ahead of the 2024 election cycle. Her strong allegiance to the president has often divided voters, especially Black folks who largely oppose Trump and MAGA.
According to students, Evette’s politics don’t align with the values of their student body. University officials also notably took back their invitation, citing security concerns, WIS reported.
In response, Republicans want to axe the school’s funding– equating to about $34 million– from the next state budget, according to a letter sent to addressed to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bruce Bannister. The letter has even made its way to the State House last week, although it’s unclear if Bannister’s office has officially received the memo.
In the meantime, students at the HBCU are raising alarms over the expected consequences of pulling funding. One student told WPDE, “Just because someone doesn’t share your political views doesn’t mean you should defund the entire university.” He added, “At the end of the day, these are students trying to get an education.”
HBCUs historically have struggled with federal and state funding compared to predominantly white institutions (PWIs). SCSU’s endowment currently sits at $17.2 million, according to the website. Potentially ripping additional funding from the school only emphasizes growing financial pressures on HBCUs.
University officials have not announced a replacement commencement speaker.
