A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-119-40, RELATING TO CLEMSON UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SO AS TO TERMINATE THE TERMS OF THE SEVEN LIFE TRUSTEES ON JULY 1, 2027, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELECTION OF A SEVENTH TRUSTEE BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN JOINT SESSION.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 59-119-40 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 59-119-40. (A) The university shall be under the management and control of a board of thirteen trustees, composed of the seven members nominated by the will and their successors and sixseven members to be elected by the General Assembly in joint assembly. Three of the original trustees having been elected for a term of two years and three for a term of four years from the commencement of their terms and until their successors were elected, thereafter the General Assembly has and hereafter it shall every two years elect in joint assembly three trustees for such university who shall serve for a term of four years and until their successors shall be elected and shall qualify. In addition to these six trustees, a seventh trustee is created to be elected in joint session of the General Assembly for a term of four years to begin July 1, 2027, and until his successor is elected and qualified, after which his successors shall serve for terms of four years and until their successors are elected and qualified. In electing members of the board, the General Assembly shall elect members based on merit regardless of race, color, creed, or gender and shall strive to assure that the membership of the board is representative of all citizens of the State of South Carolina.

    (B) The terms of the present members of the board who are elected by the General Assembly expire on the thirtieth day of June of the year in which the terms are scheduled to expire.  Beginning with its 1984 session, the General Assembly shall elect successors to the elective trustees not earlier than the first day of April for a term to begin the following July first.  Elections to fill vacancies on the board which are caused by the death, resignation, or removal of an elective trustee may be held earlier than the first day of April of the year in which the unexpired term terminates, but the term of the person elected to fill the vacancy expires on the last day of June of the year in which the term of the former member would have expired.

    (C) The terms of the present members of the board who are nominated by the will expire permanently on July 1, 2027, and successors to them may not be appointed. Any appointments made in violation of this subsection are void.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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