USC’s Caslen gets positive review from trustees after one year in office
University of South Carolina President Robert Caslen is doing an outstanding job in his first year as president of the state’s largest school.
That’s according to the school’s board of trustees, who conducted a annual, formal review of the former Army Lt. General’s performance.
“President Caslen has filled key positions and surrounded himself with a great team,” said outgoing USC board of trustees chair John Von Lehe.
“Thank you, Bob, thank you for being our president,” Von Lehe said.
Caslen returned the words of Von Lehe — who supported Caslen’s presidential candidacy even amid mounting controversy last year.
“I would never have gotten where I am today without your mentorship, leadership and patience,” Caslen said to Von Lehe.
Caslen became president of the state’s largest school amid a cloud of controversy. When he was originally named a finalist in April 2019, some students and faculty objected to his lack of a doctorate or equivalent degree, his military service in South America and comments about sexual assault that were likely taken out of context. A divided board of trustees punted, saying they would reopen the search.
But in July, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster — who is the ex officio board chair — forced a yes-or-no vote on Caslen. McMaster’s involvement led to a revolt from the Faculty Senate, which cast a vote of no confidence in Caslen, widespread protests involving city leaders and then-presidential candidates; legal action and intervention from the school’s accrediting body.
USC’s board of trustees confirmed Caslen as president in a rare 11-8 vote, with one abstention. The board’s positive review of Caslen was passed unanimously.
Since Caslen has taken office, the school has frozen tuition for the first time in decades, hired its first Black provost and faced a pandemic unprecedented in the modern world.
While many of Caslen’s counterparts, such as Clemson University’s Jim Clements, have waited for more information to come out about coronavirus and about-faced, Caslen declared his plans early and stuck with them. For example, Clemson was originally supposed to start classes in-person, but recently changed that so the first four weeks would be online.
Caslen announced in May classes would be in-person with an online option and has not changed course.
This story was originally published August 14, 2020 at 4:11 PM.