New Carolina president stirs controversy

Posted 7/24/19

Some people are unhappy about new University of South Carolina president General Robert Caslen Jr.

The USC Board voted Friday 11 to 8, with one abstention, to select Caslen as the university’s …

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New Carolina president stirs controversy

Posted

Some people are unhappy about new University of South Carolina president General Robert Caslen Jr.
The USC Board voted Friday 11 to 8, with one abstention, to select Caslen as the university’s 29th president.
He replaces Harris Pastides who retired this summer after 11 years.
Caslen is a retired US Army 3-star general who served as the superintendent of West Point from 2013 to 2018. He previously served as the Chief of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq.
Caslen was 1 of 4 finalists.
Amid protests, the board did not vote to accept any of the candidates and reopened the search in April, The State newspaper reported.
Protestors were unhappy with the candidate’s qualifications and believed Gov. Henry McMaster used his ex officio board position to sway the vote Caslen’s way.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission which accredits USC has also questioned whether McMaster used his political influence unfairly.
McMaster spokesperson Brian Symmes denied 
the allegations.
“To suggest that the governor, who by law is a member of the board of trustees, did anything improper is preposterous,” Symmes said.
“Gov. McMaster has made no secret about the fact, that as a member of the board, he believes General Robert Caslen is supremely qualified and is perfectly suited to address the challenges ahead for the University of South Carolina.”
Prior to Friday’s vote, one of the university’s biggest donors, Lake City financier Darla Moore, asked the school to reopen the search for a new president, the Charleston Post and Courier reported.
“Not one constituency of the university is in favor of the current process, including the donors who are the lifeblood of the university’s future,” Moore wrote in an email to board chairman John von Lehe.
“The process should be started over to find a qualified candidate without the current controversy. To do otherwise is to do irremediable damage to the university,” Moore said.
Gov. McMaster issued a statement Friday supporting the board’s decision.
“The selection of General Robert Caslen as the next president of the University of South Carolina is a positive and transformative step forward for the future of the university and the state.
“I am confident that every student, alumnus, faculty member and citizen of this state will benefit from his superior leadership, vision and direction, which he has demonstrated throughout his remarkable career.”
President Pastides said Fiday, “I know Bob Caslen well from national committee work at the NCAA, and I have talked with him and offered him my congratulations. Patricia and I look forward to welcoming Bob and his wife, Shelly, to the Carolina community.”
Within minutes of becoming USC president, Caslen spoke about his goals.
“I fully recognize the challenges the board addressed to get to this point, and I am grateful for their support and confidence,” Caslen said.
“From talking with many people, it is clear the University of South Carolina is on track to be the pre-eminent institution of higher education in America today, and I will work to move this university and system in that direction, ensuring South Carolina continues to deliver a world-class education to students while making the state a better place to live.
“I am eager to start meeting with students, faculty and staff, and my goal is to work collaboratively with our entire university and system community to address challenges, to build confidence, respect and trust, and to create new opportunities. I also want to thank those who supported my candidacy and promise to lead this institution with the highest integrity, respect and character.”
Caslen will begin his tenure as president this September at a salary of $650,000 a year, WLTX news reported. 

President General Robert Caslen Jr, UofSC, USC

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