University of South Carolina Trustees Call for Confederate Flag's Removal - Brief Article

Black Issues in Higher Education, Jan 6, 2000

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The University of South Carolina's board of trustees has approved a resolution calling for the removal of the Confederate flag from the Statehouse dome.

The resolution -- that passed without a dissenting vote, according to board Chairman William C. Hubbard -- was made public as at least two more groups changed or canceled meeting plans to honor the NAACP's boycott of the state.

The resolution says displaying the flag on the Statehouse "creates a negative impact on the national and international reputation of the university" and the perception created by the flag hurts the board's "efforts to provide a nurturing atmosphere."

The university has been in the crossfire of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People tourism boycott, announced last summer. Some NAACP members have suggested asking Black athletes not to attend South Carolina colleges and universities. The Columbia Urban League dropped its co-sponsorship of the National Black Family Summit when the university said it would not move the planned event from Myrtle Beach.

University President John Palms said then the school could not become involved in a political debate. After the board's announcement, however, he said: "Any future activity would have to be considered in light of the action of the board."

The resolution offered no specific idea for how to accomplish the flag's removal and is "simply our encouragement to the General Assembly to resolve the issue."

"The university has to take a leadership role and that's a very encouraging sign," Urban League President James T. McLawhorn said.

To honor the boycott, the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina will cut next year's two-day convention in half. Meetings will be held Feb. 5 on the grounds of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia. Local church members are being asked to open their homes to delegates who need to stay overnight.

Also, the Anderson Minority Business and Professional Association said it will cancel its 2000 Black Business Expo, which draws about 150 vendors from the Southeast to the Anderson County Civic Center each year.