The HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) denounces the recent letter circulated by members of the South Carolina House of Representatives calling for the defunding for South Carolina State University (SCSU). This call stems from the university’s decision to rescind a commencement invitation to Lt. Governor Pamela Evette following student protests and cited safety concerns.

Retaliating against an institution of higher learning, and an HBCU to be exact, by threatening its financial stability is both reckless and deeply troubling. Such actions place students, faculty, and the broader mission of educational access at risk, all in response to a decision rooted in campus safety and student expression. No elected official who is running for Governor of any state should seek to leverage political influence to punish institutions for exercising sound judgement in the interest of their campus communities.

Leadership demands respect for the independence of our colleges and universities, a commitment to protect students, and a willingness to rise above political retaliation in favor of responsible governance that uplifts, not undermines, public higher education.

“Threatening to defund an HBCU for prioritizing the safety and voices of its students is not leadership; it is a misuse of power. SCSU, like all HBCUs, deserves protection, investment, and respect of its autonomy. We call on elected officials to lead with integrity, uphold the principles of equitable funding, and ensure our institutions are strengthened, and not targeted. The students at SCSU are “woke” and woke to recognize concerns with Lt. Governor Evette. Her views do not align with the leadership expected of someone seeking to serve as Governor of South Carolina. The time is now for Black communities to register to vote, mobilize, and vote for leaders who truly see, value, and include our communities.”

— said Demetrius Johnson, Jr., Founder, President & CEO, HCF

HBCUs like SCSU have long stood as pillars of opportunity and access for Black students and underserved communities. These institutions already face longstanding disparities in funding compared to their counterparts. To now propose stripping critical resources from one of these institutions is not only punitive—it is unjust.

We must reject any attempt to weaponize public funding as a means of political retaliation. Higher education institutions must be allowed to operate with autonomy, guided by the well-being of their administration and campus communities, and not by political pressure or ideological coercion.

We call on South Carolina lawmakers to immediately withdraw this harmful proposal and reaffirm their commitment to equitable investment in higher education. The future of our students, our intuitions, and our communities depends on leadership that uplifts the legacy and impact of HBCUs.

We stand firmly with South Carolina State University. We stand for students. And we stand for the continued advancement of HBCUs across the nation.

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About the HBCU Campaign Fund
The HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) was founded in 2012 and is a non-profit educational organization that remains a strong advocate for students and higher education. The mission of HCF is to support the significance and raise funds for scholarships, programs, and for private and public HBCUs and MSIs. For more information, visit www.hbcucampaignfund.org.