Heed call for higher-ed summit on wasteful duplication, costs

South Carolina's colleges and universities collectively sustained one of the biggest hits in the recent budget cuts and are struggling with a variety of cutbacks, furloughs and hiring freezes. Higher education should look for ways to use its resources to best advantage in the years to come. That will require more cooperation and less duplication.

South Carolina State University President George E. Cooper wants college and university officials to consider a collaborative way to use higher-ed funds. Dr. Cooper recognizes that the state doesn't have the resources to allow for waste and duplication.

He also recognizes that a university like South Carolina State is likely to emerge with fewer resources in a funding free-for-all with, say, the University of South Carolina or Clemson. "I'm going to be the squeaky wheel" for funding reform, he said in a recent meeting with The Post and Courier's editorial staff.

His call for fiscal prudence demands the attention of his counterparts at other colleges, as well as the new leadership of the Commission on Higher Education.

Dr. Cooper, who took over as president of S.C. State this year, has the benefit of broad experience elsewhere in higher education. He cites the comparative lack of state support for higher ed in South Carolina, and the strain it regularly puts on colleges to find other funding, including higher tuition.

The current fiscal crisis underscores the financial challenge. South Carolina universities are dealing with a mandated 15 percent cutback as a result of the revenue shortfall. In contrast, he notes, North Carolina's colleges face a 5 percent cutback.

But there's a more systemic problem for South Carolina higher ed, Dr. Cooper says. When the state has a good economic year, the attitude is "let's spend money like there's no tomorrow."

"Rather than get rid of excess baggage, we're just throwing more on the train," he says.

He recommends partnerships among major universities, aimed at reducing program duplication and improving collaboration. Dr. Cooper has asked the Commission on Higher Education to help make it happen.

Ken Wingate, recently appointed chairman of the CHE, should be highly receptive to the idea. Mr. Wingate was previously chairman of the citizens committee, appointed by Gov. Mark Sanford during his first term, that recommended millions in cost-cutting ideas to the state.

"Why can't we work together on some things?" Dr. Cooper asks.

That's a good question — one that the state's taxpayers would like to hear answered.