Florida A&M University’s 44th Student Senate passed legislation standing in support of South Carolina State University in lieu of the South Carolina House Sub-Committee recommendation to close the University for upwards of two years.
The legislation, entitled “Resolution SR15SP-005: Support for South Carolina State University,” was written by Student Senators Derek Keaton, Jaylen Smith, Kordell Wilson and Brandon Johnson on Feb. 16.
The four senators united to draft the legislation to show the South Carolina House of Representatives, Senate and Governor that FAMU firmly opposed the closing of SCSU and views the potential closing as a threat to both SCSU and FAMU. A copy of the legislation was sent to the respective South Carolina Representatives, Senators and Governor Nikki Haley.
Students have taken to social media to actively tweet Governor Nikki Haley asking her to “#SaveSCSU.”
Kristyn Matthews, a junior biology student from Panama City Beach, believed social media is the right step in the campaign’s direction to save SCSU.
“It’s a start. Of course a lot more needs to be done but it’s important for the students of SCSU to see that we’re here, we care and we’re behind them 100 percent,” Matthews said.
FAMU Student Senator, Kordell Wilson, said the student senators decided to draft the bill as a resolution and response from the student government association to show solidarity with SCSU students.
“In SGA, there is a process to everything so we could only really stay within the boundaries of our duties as senators and create legislation,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the goal was to inform the student body.
Though they have not personally reached out to the student body of SCSU, there was a conference call a few days ago.
Wilson hoped that the draft of legislation on behalf of FAMU was a step inthe right direction.
William Hudson, Vice President of Student Affairs, supported saving SCSU.
“It would be a tragedy to lose an HBCU and we support our sister institution; and their students, faculty and staff,” Hudson said.
With administration and students working simultaneously to help save SCSU, it is now time for the government to act.