Here’s what to know about the history of South Carolina underfunding SC State
In 2023, the federal government said South Carolina has underfunded South Carolina State University, the state’s only public four-year historically Black college, by nearly $500 million over the past 30 years. The funding gap traces back more than a century to the Reconstruction era and the creation of land-grant colleges.
Here are key takeaways:
• The federal claim: The U.S. Departments of Education and Agriculture sent a letter to Gov. Henry McMaster in 2023 saying S.C. State has been underfunded by $469,956,832 over 30 years compared to Clemson, the state’s predominately white land-grant counterpart, according to The State.
• The historical roots: The Second Morrill Act of 1890 required formerly Confederate states to open land-grant institutions for Black students with funding equitable to the 1862 land-grant schools. South Carolina did not comply equitably for decades.
• Early disparities: In 1896, the General Assembly allocated less than $1 per student to S.C. State. By 1945, it was $77 per student, compared to $134 per Clemson student, according to historian William C. Hine.
• Recent shift: By 2020, S.C. State received $13,768 per student versus $8,691 at Clemson.
• Capital needs remain: Most recent funding has gone to refurbishing old facilities. S.C. State struggles to house its growing student population.
• Political pushback: Gov. McMaster’s office called the Biden administration “off base.” State Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken, called the federal letter a “political campaign stunt.” State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, said “talk is cheap” and pointed out Clemson received $103 million for a new veterinary school, according to The State.
• Broader context: Similar letters went to 15 other states. Altogether, the federal government says HBCUs nationwide are owed about $13 billion. Maryland’s four HBCUs received a $577 million payout in 2021 after suing the state.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.