Winthrop hosts higher education debate

BY ANNA DOUGLAS
 

President Anthony DiGiorgio's e-mail to students over spring break highlighted more state funding cuts to Winthrop in the coming months.
 

Winthrop may have to operate on $3.3 million less than last year, pending a vote in the Senate.
 

"South Carolina is not alone in its fiscal predicament, but the impact is deeper here because this state, compared to Southern neighbors, was underfunding its institutions -- particularly comprehensive institutions like Winthrop -- even before the 2008 recession," DiGiorgio’s e-mail said.
 

College students and their parents may be wondering why S.C. has not adequately supported higher education in the past and what can the state do now given tough economic times.
 

An event on campus on Tuesday could provide some answers.
 

S.C.’s gubernatorial candidates of both parties will share a stage for a 90-minute debate on higher education’s future in the Palmetto State.
 

Students can pick up tickets from the Information Desk in Dinkins.  Tickets are free but are needed for entry to the event.
 

There are 25 tickets available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
 

The debate will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. in McBryde Hall before an audience of 500 ticketholders, including public and independent colleges and university presidents, state public officials and business leaders, and

student leaders from Winthrop and other South Carolina universities.
 

The event is sponsored by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education and hosted by the John C. West Forum on Politics and Policy at Winthrop University.
 

Television audiences will be able to tune in to a broadcast live via Rock Hill’s Comporium Cable CN2 Extra on Channel 3.  A live Web stream will also be available on CN2’s Web site.
 

The debate will be moderated by the Commission’s Chairman Ken Wingate with questions provided by a media panel composed of Dawndy Mercer Plank, news anchor for WIS-TV in Columbia, Lucas McFadden, news anchor for CN2, and Wayne Washington, higher education reporter for The State newspaper. Brief questions can be submitted for panel consideration at debate@che.sc.gov through noon on Monday, March 22.
 

Participating in the forum will be Congressman Gresham Barrett, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer-R, State Rep. Nikki Haley, Attorney General Henry McMaster, State Sen. Robert Ford, Superintendent of Education Jim Rex-D and State Sen. Vincent Sheheen.
 

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 22, a limited number of public tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
 

Please check back with The Johnsonian for more information on how students can acquire tickets.
 

For ticket inquiries and additional information, contact the Commission at 803-737-2275 or Winthrop University at 803-323-2225.