Journal of the House of Representatives
of the Second Session of the 110th General Assembly
of the State of South Carolina
being the Regular Session Beginning Tuesday, January 11, 1994

Page Finder Index

| Printed Page 3960, Mar. 31 | Printed Page 3980, Apr. 5 |

Printed Page 3970 . . . . . Tuesday, April 5, 1994

Members:
Representative Eugene C. Stoddard, Chairman
422B, Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Representative Jennings G. McAbee
522C Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Representative Curtis B. Inabinett
328D Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Representative H. Howell Clyborne, Jr.
503A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Senator Alexander S. Macaulay, Vice-Chairman
305 Gressette Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Senator Warren K. Giese
512 Gressette Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Senator Maggie W. Glover
613 Gressette Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Senator Addison G. Wilson
606 Gressette Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

THE CHAIRMAN: We will commence. First I'd like to introduce our panel members. We have Vice Chairman Senator Macaulay on my left, Senator Wilson below him and our Secretary, Mr. -- Representative Inabinett on my right. I'm Gene Stoddard. Any of the committee members have any remarks they'd like to make?
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman, I'm Mr. Joe Wilson from Lexington County and I am really delighted to see people who I have the highest respect for, even General Hyman is sitting out there today. And


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I'm delighted to see the quality of the people who want to serve on the boards and commissions of the universities and colleges of South Carolina.

And traditionally I've asked a question, but we have such a plethora of candidates today that I just want to make a statement and that is to express concern about the graduation rate in our public colleges and universities in South Carolina. I can know culturally for me, I thought it was imperative that I finish in four years. And I would like that this principle be in place because I'm just very concerned for the students, their parents, the taxpayers that so many students now are going far beyond four years to get an undergraduate degree and that very much concerns me.

And so I really want to make that point and urge those of you who are elected, those of you who aren't elected to all be working for a higher graduation rate, get these students in, get them educated and get them back into society being productive for themselves and for their families and for the State of South Carolina.
THE CHAIRMAN: Any other comment? Thank you, Senator Wilson. Senator Macaulay.
SENATOR MACAULAY: Mr. Chairman, I notice that we have several positions that seem to be uncontested and inasmuch as we do have a rather heavy agenda today as well as an early meeting of the House, I understand, too, for some important information, I would move now that we permit those uncontested positions if they would, if you call -- if the Chair would call their name, have them stand and for each of us, I think we all know you, but the only thing is it would be a help to be sure that we know that you're still interested and still with us.

I say that because one time we had an appointment come before one my committees and we debated it for some length until someone finally said, well, didn't he die about six weeks ago and I don't want to have that embarrassment again, so -- but if we could, Mr. Chairman, I would ask -- and I guess we're talking with Clemson University, is that the first --
THE CHAIRMAN: Yes, and we have one candidate who couldn't appear next week, a USC candidate that we have promised to accommodate.
SENATOR MACAULAY: Well, with that, and we have, what, three seats and we have three candidates, that would mean there is no contest there.
THE CHAIRMAN: Correct.
SENATOR MACAULAY: I would just ask that Mr. Kingsmore and Mrs. McAbee and Mr. Swann if they are here.
THE CHAIRMAN: Would you please stand?


Printed Page 3972 . . . . . Tuesday, April 5, 1994

SENATOR MACAULAY: And I move that why is it -- that they be permitted to be excused. The reports are all in order; is that correct?
THE CHAIRMAN: Correct. Correct.
SENATOR MACAULAY: I would thank them for being here today and --
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman, it certainly should not be a surprise, but there is also no derogatory information about any of these three nor any of the other uncontested candidates today. And I think for the record that's important and that we recognize that nothing derogatory is in the records of that which has been provided to the committee.
THE CHAIRMAN: The first time we've ever had a hundred percent clean group. These three candidates, you can be excused if you desire to be. And we'll be back in touch with you after our final screening date next week. Tentatively, I think the election will either be the 13th of April or the 20th. I believe I'm correct. The 13th or the 20th, that's tentative. We appreciate you coming. We certainly appreciate the good work ya'll are doing.

Mr. Mack Whittle, is he present? Mr. Whittle is a candidate for USC, an incumbent who, of course, has enjoyed one of the clean records and I would entertain the same motion on Mr. Whittle.
SENATOR WILSON: So moved.
THE CHAIRMAN: All right. Thank you for coming Mr. Whittle.

Next we will go to the College of Charleston. Doctor Stine.
DOCTOR STINE: If I may, Mr. Representative, I'd just like to have the group recognize that we are the number one basketball team in the state. And I appreciate ya'll allowing me to be -- get back to Charleston in time, time enough to watch the game on TV and I appreciate that.
THE CHAIRMAN: I appreciate you enlightening us. I'm sure none of us were aware of that. Mr. Lightsey. Ms. Sheppard. Mr. Small. Mr. McMaster. Mr. Watson. You may all be excused.

Now, the Francis Marion candidates. Mr. Lundy. Mr. Courie. Ms. Shortt.
MS. SHORTT: Good morning.
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. Dozier. Mr. Kiriakides. I hope I got close on that, sir.
SENATOR WILSON: It was excellent.
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. Stanton. I don't know who this gentleman is, they call him the father, but down there, Mr. Hyman. Ms. Brown. Mr. Allston. We certainly appreciate ya'll coming and you may be excused. We certainly appreciate the job you've done.
MR. HYMAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.


Printed Page 3973 . . . . . Tuesday, April 5, 1994

THE CHAIRMAN: We go now to Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School. Ms. Williams. Is she present? Ms. Edwards. Faye Edwards. Ms. Williams, you may be excused.
MS. WILLIAMS: Thank you.
HE CHAIRMAN: We appreciate your coming. I didn't even look at -- our competent secretary, Donna Tinsley, notes here that Ms. Edwards had ask to appear next week. She's out of town.

Now, we go back to our first College of Charleston, Seat 13. Yes, sir. Mr. Ewing, is he here? Sir, would you take the stand please.
BLAINE EWING, having been duly sworn, testified as follows:
THE CHAIRMAN: Considering your present occupation or other activities will you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
A. Yes, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: Do you have any health related problems the Screening Committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in a full capacity?
A. No, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: Do you now hold any position of honor or trust that would violate the Dual Office Holding clause of the Constitution?
A. I don't follow that question.
THE CHAIRMAN: Do you -- are you presently on any board or commission or elective office --
A. I'm on the Tourism Commission in the City of Charleston.
THE CHAIRMAN: We'd have to check into that. If it was a conflict according to the Constitution, would you resign that position, if elected?
A. Oh, absolutely.
THE CHAIRMAN: Any questions, gentlemen?
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman, inquiry.
THE CHAIRMAN: Yes.
SENATOR WILSON: Seat 13, is this an At-Large seat?
THE CHAIRMAN: Yes, I believe it is.
A. Yes, it is.
SENATOR WILSON: Statewide At-Large.
REPRESENTATIVE INABINETT: I have one, question.
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. Inabinett.
EXAMINATION BY REPRESENTATIVE INABINETT:
Q. Mr. Ewing, sometime ago the College of Charleston had problems housing all of the students, if you're elected to the Board in your opinion how can you help resolve that concern?
A. Let me kind of back up on that. First of all, I think, you know, the college is one of the oldest colleges in the country and it's happened to be


Printed Page 3974 . . . . . Tuesday, April 5, 1994

situated in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the country, too - Harleston Village, Mazyck, Wraggsborough, Ansonborough - and the College has grown from 500 students now to where we have got 10,000 students and there has become a housing problem and the neighborhoods have felt that.

I feel that my experience in living in those neighborhoods would be able to help the Trustees and the College be able to get a better feel for what the impact is of not having housing in that area.
Q. Just one more, I'd just like to make a statement. About two years ago, there were a few senior citizens in the City of Charleston that was willing to give free room and board to a college student that would just live with them as a companion like to be with them in the evening. Would you support that kind of venture?
A. Sure. I would support that. I think it would be a great idea.
Q. Thank you.
SENATOR MACAULAY: Mr. Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN: Senator Macaulay.
EXAMINATION BY SENATOR MACAULAY:
Q. Mr. Ewing, I notice in the questions that have all been addressed to you as a candidate for the College of Charleston Board. I thought ya'll were a university.
A. Well, you're right. We are. But I think --
Q. What is the name? I get confused. Is it a University of the College of Charleston or the College of Charleston University?
A. I think that we all like the College of Charleston that we didn't want to change her and you're right, it is a university, but I think if you ask everybody what is the college, it's the College of Charleston. It's sort of a -- well, what else can I say?
Q. Well, don't -- for the record, really, what is the name of it now?
A. It is a university.
Q. I mean if we had to have an official record for the General Assembly of South Carolina, it was going to be published for -- you know.
SENATOR WILSON: Posterity.
Q. Posterity.
A. Posterity.
Q. What would we call the institution down there below Calhoun Street?
A. Well, we'd call it Charleston University, I suppose.
Q. Charleston University. All right. Charleston University. Thank you. I was just curious.
SENATOR WILSON: Mr. Chairman, you need to know that was a Citadel graduate who is very interested --
THE CHAIRMAN: Oh, okay.


Printed Page 3975 . . . . . Tuesday, April 5, 1994

SENATOR WILSON: -- what the name is, so you can imagine --
MR. MACAULAY: I can see it. I understand it.
SENATOR WILSON: -- his level of interest.
SENATOR MACAULAY: The Citadel, I think, is the only college left in South Carolina, a public four-year institution. I just want to be sure there wasn't another.
A. Oh, I understand. I'm perfectly clear.
SENATOR MACAULAY: Thank you.
THE CHAIRMAN: I thought that was Central Military University.
SENATOR MACAULAY: I wouldn't -- I don't think they'll let us have university status.
THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you, sir.
A. Your welcome.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Next, Mr. Weeks.
MR. WEEKS: Yes, sir. Tom Weeks.
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. Weeks, would you raise your right hand, please, sir
THOMAS W. WEEKS, having been duly sworn, testified as follows:
THE CHAIRMAN: Considering your present occupation or other activities would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
A. Yes, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: Do you have any health related problems that the Screening Committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving on the board in a full capacity?
A. None, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that if elected to the board would cause you to violate the Dual Office Holding clause of the Constitution?
A. No, I do not.
THE CHAIRMAN: Gentlemen, questions?
A. May I please, the College of Charleston is our undergraduate school. The University of Charleston, not Charleston University, the University of Charleston is our graduate program.
THE CHAIRMAN: I appreciate you straightening us out on that.
SENATOR MACAULAY: I was just curious, Mr. Chairman, because as I say we still have on our -- well, which board people were running. Are you running for the University Board or the College Board?
A. It's both. It's the College of Charleston slash University of Charleston.

Printed Page 3976 . . . . . Tuesday, April 5, 1994

SENATOR MACAULAY: Oh, it is? That's what we were just talking about. There is a slash in there now?
A. Yes. Yes, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: Any other questions?
REPRESENTATIVE INABINETT: Yes, I have one, another question.
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr. Inabinett.
EXAMINATION BY REPRESENTATIVE INABINETT:
Q. In South Carolina and throughout the country, minority teachers are becoming harder and harder to find. They're just not going into the teaching option. If elected to the Board, what do you think you could do to help remedy that problem?
A. Thank you, Representative. Number one, I believe very strongly that we must continue all of our efforts to increase the minority in the teaching profession. We have already at the College of Charleston. I think we've got to continue to do that all the way down to our high school level. It's got to be done.

We've got to encourage Afro-Americans and all other minorities that the teaching profession is not only very noble, but to me the education of the citizens of South Carolina is the most important thing for us to move from an agricultural society into a high tech industry that our state is becoming.

I have talked at civic meetings in my home area of Barnwell encouraging all students regardless of their race to get their education and also to become teachers. My wife went back to school through the tech schools and obtained a teacher's certificate to teach computer programing at Barnwell High School for five years, so I'm very much in favor and also speak very highly of the fact that the profession meets all, all citizens and certainly they need minorities.
Q. Thank you, sir.
SENATOR MACAULAY: Are there any further questions of Mr. Weeks?
SENATOR WILSON: I'd just like to thank you for clarifying about the College of Charleston -- what is the name of it?
A. College of Charleston slash University of Charleston, which is our graduate program.
SENATOR WILSON: And I as a former native of the State of Charleston, I am not the precise bit surprised that there would be controversy over the name. And -- but we sure are proud of the College/University as to its development because I remember when it had 300 students and so that's certainly an indication of my age. But it's really terrific when I go visit and see the students and I'm proud of


Printed Page 3977 . . . . . Tuesday, April 5, 1994

President Sanders. We have a lot to be proud of and I'm delighted that you and Mr. Ewing are interested in serving.
A. Thank you very much, Senator.
THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you, sir. I'll apologize for not realizing that the Winthrop Board has no opposition. There was a third candidate that was just withdrawn, so Ms. Lake, would you please stand. Mr. Tuttle, are you here?
MR. TUTTLE: Yes, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: I certainly appreciate ya'll coming and you may be excused.
MS. LAKE: Thank you.
THE CHAIRMAN: And again I apologize. I didn't realize that. I'm just as happy as you are.

Next we have the Seat 15. Mr. Clark. Raise your right hand, please, Mr. Clark.
JOHN F. CLARK, III, having been duly sworn, testified as follows:
THE CHAIRMAN: Considering your present occupation or other activities, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
A. I'm sorry?
THE CHAIRMAN: Considering your present activities and occupation, would you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
A. Yes, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: Do you have any health related problems that the Screening Committee should be made aware of --
A. No, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: -- that could prevent you from serving on a regular basis?
A. No, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: Do you now hold any public office of honor or trust that would violate the Dual Office Holding Clause of the Constitution?
A. No, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: Gentleman, any questions of Mr. Clark?
SENATOR MACAULAY: No, Mr. Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN: Senator Wilson.
SENATOR WILSON: No, Mr. Chairman.
EXAMINATION BY REPRESENTATIVE INABINETT:
Q. I have the same question that I had for -- with this candidate, the -- referring to the student minority recruitment into the teaching profession. If you -- how would you handle or how do you propose to get more minorities into the teaching profession?


Printed Page 3978 . . . . . Tuesday, April 5, 1994

A. We are -- we're striving very hard at the College of Charleston. I think we've made some significant efforts -- progress over the past two years. For -- percentage wise, it -- it's a tough effort. Three years ago, we had six percent minority enrollment. This year, we have eight. I know two percent doesn't -- isn't as big. I think it certainly is not where we went to end up, but we are moving in a good direction and that's because we've
-- we've had a very extensive effort to recruit minority students. We've hired Ms. Joyce Bilander (phonetic) as director of our intercultural programs and we've done -- she goes out to the schools in an active effort to recruit. We have a summer program between the junior and senior years now where we bring in perspective students and I think there is a focus on the teaching profession there bringing in students who have shown promise, may or may not go to college, or may or may not be able to go to college, we bring them in for a summer program where they can take short courses on campus -- become a part -- get accustomed to the college experience.

And I think the records have shown that -- that a very high percent of those students go on to college. Many of them at the College of Charleston.

Our School of Education is one of the biggest in terms of enrollment and emphasis at the college and I think a large proportion of minority students are going there, so we're working -- we're not where we want to be, but I think we're moving in the right direction and we very much share your concern.
Q. With reference to the housing problem for students, would you support, and if so, how would you propose to pair students with good reputations with senior citizens that sort of need a companion or someone to be with them at night?
A. Sir, I think that's an excellent idea. I had not heard that one -- that idea of -- proposed before and it's something that I would like and I will -- in fact, I'd like to get with President Sanders and get with you and discuss how we could carry that out.

It sounds like an excellent match as far as is the needs of the -- actually overcoming this problem of -- of there being some conflict between the neighborhoods and the student resident in the neighborhood, this would be
-- actually make it a more complimentary relationship and I'd like to see us move forward on that idea.
Q. Thank you, sir.


Printed Page 3979 . . . . . Tuesday, April 5, 1994

THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you, sir. Next we have Mr. Kinard.
JEFFERY E. KINARD, having been duly sworn, testified as follows:
THE CHAIRMAN: Considering your present occupation or activities, will you be able to attend board meetings on a regular basis?
A. Yes, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: Do you have any health related problems that the screening committee should be made aware of that would prevent you from serving in a full capacity?
A. No, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: Do you now hold any public position of honor or trust that would violate the Dual Office Holding Clause of the Constitution?
A. No, I do not.
THE CHAIRMAN: Any questions, gentlemen? Senator.
SENATOR MACAULAY: Mr. Chairman.
EXAMINATION BY SENATOR MACAULAY:
Q. Mr. Kinard, I understand that you're a graduate of the College of Charleston?
A. Yes, I am.
Q. When you were there, how large was the college?
A. 2200 students. I was there through most -- the growth was just getting started, between '73 and '77.
THE CHAIRMAN: What might the present population be there?
A. My understanding is approximately 7500 full-time students and stretches more than that with part-time students.
THE CHAIRMAN: What ya'll looking at? The ceiling? The gentlemen back there are pointing up, they think that's conservative.
A. Okay.
THE CHAIRMAN: Any other? Mr. Inabinett.
EXAMINATION BY REPRESENTATIVE INABINETT:
Q. I just -- the same question I asked of the others, but more specifically with reference to housing, did you encounter a problem when you were there?
A. When I was there, we did, Representative Inabinett. We -- at that time, my dorm that I had my freshman year was converted into a women's dorm from a men's dorm and they purchased two hotels to accommodate the extra housing which was the Golden Eagle Hotel on Calhoun which is still a dormitory at the College.
Q. What would you do to help alleviate the problem?
A. That's a touchy question because of the confinements of the college itself to where it sits in the City of Charleston. You have to move in my


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