By Scott Miller
Staff Writer

The performance evaluation of ousted S.C. State University President Andrew Hugine charges him with failing on issues ranging from campus security to poor leadership in recruiting qualified educators to the school.

The evaluation obtained by SCBIZ Daily under a Freedom of Information Act request says he failed to perform an in-depth academic audit, failed to pull the institution out of a state of “flux and instability” and failed to strengthen recruitment efforts at the school, among other issues.

However, the evaluation does credit Hugine for strengthening university finances and overseeing enhancements at several university buildings.

Questions quickly arose about the board’s intent when it did not renew Hugine’s contract in December and then sent him packing before his current $220,000 annual contract officially expires in June 2008.

Recently, state Rep. Jerry Govan, D-Orangeburg, introduced legislation that could effectively remove several members from the South Carolina State University board of trustees.

State Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, said he wants to conduct a financial audit of the board over concerns that trustees received kickbacks under university construction projects. No wrongdoing has been confirmed, and Ford needs five signatures from lawmakers to launch the audit. 

Leonard McIntyre, dean of the College of Education, Humanities and Social Services, is acting as interim president while a search committee looks for Hugine’s replacement.

Maurice Washington, chairman of the university’s board of trustees, has received the brunt of criticism over Hugine. He did not return messages from SCBIZ Daily.

For an in-depth story about Hugine’s evaluation and upcoming efforts to increase oversight of the university’s board of trustees, see the Jan. 21 edition of the Charleston Regional Business Journal.