Scholars Vs. Dollars
Staff Report
Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: News
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The honor students learned their fate at the program's March 9. full body meeting, and have since been meeting on their own to discuss the situation.
At the meeting, Honors Program Coordinator Juan Maultsby explained that this applies to all students on scholarships including the band and athletes.The Athletic department and the Band director could not be reached to confirm this information before press time.
"Hugine Suites is a four-year old dorm that is not paid for with scholarships, because that money is not real money" said Maultsby.
He explained that the facility which cost 45 million dollars, has only recovered 10 million off its bill and thus needs students who are willing to pay to stay at the apartment style complex.
The Program [Honors] has however been given the C, D and A buildings of Hugine Suites for honors students who have external scholarships such Palmetto,SCAMP or Pell grants, or for those who wish to pay. All other students will be housed in Battiste and Williams Hall. The later will be upgraded to include a computer lab. Honor students will also be placed on a book-loan program similar to athletes where they will be loaned books not covered by their scholarships, to be returned at the end of the semester.
Despite their re-assurances, many students raised concerns. "I feel like I was lured here with the expectation of being in Hugine Suites for four years," said sophomore elementary education major, Chassidy Hinton, in reference to the recruiting efforts that persuaded her to choose SC State.
Hinton also made the point that honors classes have been increasing, and this move could affect the attractiveness of SC State to students who qualify for the program.
Cameeka Manzano from Trinidad and Tobago also echoed similar sentiments. "This is not fair to me," she said. "I traveled far to come here and I worked hard."
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