In his budget message released Friday, Sanford proposes $5.8 billion in spending for 2009-10. The proposal also would close University of South Carolina branches in Allendale, Lancaster and Union counties. It would also force small school districts to consolidate so none would have fewer than 2,500 students.
Sanford also proposes no raises for teachers and no salary bonuses for teachers who complete a rigorous national certification process after June 30.
Supervisor Donnie Betenbaugh expressed surprise that Sanford is again trying to close USC-Union.
“Union County very much needs USC-Union and the higher educational opportunities it offers our citizens,” he said. “The regional benefits far outweigh any costs.”
Union Mayor Harold Thompson also expressed surprise that Sanford is again proposing to close USC-Union.
“I don’t think USC-Union should be closed. It’s always been an issue with him trying to get it closed,” he said. “USC-Union has been very good for Union and we need to keep it open.
“I’m very, very disappointed that Gov. Sanford would even entertain the idea of closing USC-Union,” he said. “With all our talk about the importance of education, higher education should be the very last thing we cut.”
Legislators begin meeting next week to craft the state’s next budget and State Rep. Mike Anthony said that he and the other members of the Union County Legislative Delegation are united in their opposition to Sanford’s proposal. He said the delegation, which includes State Sens. Harvey Peeler, Creighton Coleman and Shane Martin, will work together to gain support in the rest of the General Assembly to keep USC-Union.
“That’s the good thing about having three senators as part of our delegation,” he said. “Even if enough support were to be gained in the House for closing USC-Union — and I don’t think that’s likely — having three of 46 senators on our side gives us a leg up in keeping USC-Union. We’re especially fortunate with Sen. Peeler who has been in the Senate for many years and a great deal of seniority and clout.”
USC-Union is part of the Union-Laurens Commission on Higher Education and also has a satellite campus in Laurens.
I think highly of Governor Sandford and hope he can stay in office in light of today's times, we still need him and his very good leadership.
Happ Thomas, Republican
As a tax payer, and more importantly, A VOTER, it saddens me that we put so much effort into keeping some of the USC branches open.
Ask Rep. Anthony if the majority of the enrollment "numbers" at USC Union are actual college students, or if the benefits outweight the negatives for the STATE! Remember, we are not the only people in the state, there are other counties outside of Union, i believe that alot of folks in this county forget that. I would like to believe that closing the campus would perhaps put more money in other venues, such as creating jobs for our dried up city.
Dr. Rowland at USCU will tell you that the numbers are a sign the college should stay open, however, the population in our county is dropping, and students are not driving to the county to attend USCU like he would have you believe.
The campus is no longer viable, there are much more important needs in our state and in our county. the residents of Union County have a selection of 6 higher education centers surrounding the county.
Union County's "only" option is not USCU. In fact, Union County students would SAVE MONEY IF THEY WENT TO SPARTANBURG COMMUNITY COLLEGE, granted, they have to have the life scholarship.
If we are going to continue to support a branch that has little to no positive impact on our state IN THE BIGGER PICTURE, we should close it down. if not, we should open up a private USC branch in every county, I mean if Union has a college for its tiny population, then so should Anderson, Charleston, Greenville, Cheraw, Pickens, etc, etc. Catch my drift?
the old saying goes: "the needs of many outweigh the needs of one." USC Union served its purpose and it has had a very positive impact in the past, but its time has passed, times have changed, and unfortunately, so has the states economic situation.
The money that goes towards USCU and USCU @ Laurens could support much more needful programs in our precious county.