Posted on Sat, May. 06, 2006

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Sanford wants to alter system

Governor says high tuition demands more cost efficiencies at state universities

By JAMES T. HAMMOND

jhammond@thestate.com

Gov. Mark Sanford kicked off his higher education task force’s study Friday with instructions to look “without boundaries” at ways to make state colleges and universities more efficient and more accessible to South Carolina students.

The Republican governor, who is seeking re-election, admitted that changing the way South Carolina governs its state-assisted institutions will be difficult. But he said he’s convinced more than ever that duplication of services, soaring tuition, and lack of coordination must be reined in.

Acknowledging the politically powerful boards of trustees of the major universities are formidable adversaries, Sanford said the “painful” increases in cost and reduced accessibility will force what he sees as necessary political change.

“Until a lot of people march on Columbia with pitchforks, change is not going to happen,” Sanford said. “The cost of a college education is approaching the point of being painful.”

Bill Hendrix, who chairs the Clemson University board of trustees, said Clemson supports any fair and objective effort to shape a comprehensive plan for higher education in South Carolina.

“Right now, there is no comprehensive plan,” Hendrix said. “If they define what needs to be done, we’ll be happy to participate.”

Hendrix said he believes good data exists to show which institutions are efficient and which are not.

“I believe any objective analysis will show Clemson is very efficient compared with comparable institutions in neighboring states,” Hendrix said.

In his campaign four years ago, Sanford called for a Board of Regents to govern the state higher education system, to force coordination and to curb duplication of services and programs. He said Friday he has not set any predetermined goals for this task force.

“I’m open to all ideas,” Sanford said. “I want them to look at best practices in other states, to consider everything, then give me a list of proposals that have some realistic chance of winning approval.”

Lyles Glenn, a Columbia attorney who chairs Sanford’s higher education task force, said there is no point in proposing pie-in-the-sky reforms that have no chance of winning legislative approval.

He acknowledged the research universities — Clemson University, the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina — have become more independent on Sanford’s watch, not less. But he and Sanford also noted that consolidating the pharmacy programs at USC and MUSC has been a step in the right direction, to pool resources and eliminate duplication.

“Clearly, tuition is a big issue, but it is not the only issue,” said Glenn, who served as chief operating officer at the University of South Carolina under former president John Palms.

Glenn said the lottery-funded LIFE scholarships have lifted the weight of tuition from many families. But many who do not meet the academic requirements still face some of the highest public college tuitions in the region, he said.

Glenn said the task force will look at alternatives, such as giving the lottery money directly to the colleges instead of to students, on the condition that everyone’s tuition be reduced.

Reach Hammond at (803) 771-8474.