(Columbia-AP) Jan. 28, 2004 -- A bill calling for the state to borrow about $500 million for college research and economic development projects cleared the Senate on Wednesday.

Clemson University President James Barker says this sends a clear message that the research universities are important in generating jobs. The bill also expands college programs and protects two-year colleges from being shut down.

Senator Phil Leventis won approval for the University of South Carolina at Sumter to become a four-year college.

Parts of the bill already have been through the House. The House could agree with the Senate's version and send the bill to Governor Mark Sanford or send it to a conference committee to work out differences.

Posted 10:03pm by BrettWitt