The University of South Carolina has once again found itself amid fiery student debate. When university president Harris Pastides announced his retirement, USC had no idea their search for a successor would spark controversy.
The Board of Trustees was scheduled to select a president from four finalists at the end of April, however, this was met with extreme opposition from some students. On the day of the vote, about 75 students showed up to protest.
Protesters objected to the favorite for the job, former West Point Superintendent Robert Caslen, and his alleged lack of qualifications. This is all wrong: It’s true that Caslen does not have a doctorate, but what he does have is decades of valuable life experience as an officer and military leader. Furthermore, Caslen spent the past five years as the head of West Point, one of the top academic institutions in the country.
Under Caslen’s leadership, West Point was ranked the number one public school in the nation. He was also responsible for the school receiving over $420 million in private funding. Upon his retirement, Caslen was called “one of the best superintendents in the history of West Point” by Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-New York.
The University of South Carolina is deep in debt. It’s safe to say they could use some extra funding and the stewardship of a responsible administrator like Caslen.
The mob of protesters further claimed that Caslen is a “victim-blamer.” Their basis is a comment Caslen once made acknowledging alcohol’s role in sexual assault, suggesting that binge drinking plays a role in campus assaults. This shouldn’t be controversial: Alcohol’s prevalence in sexual assault cases is universally accepted. In fact, it is acknowledged by universities across the nation. And at least half of sexual assaults on college campuses involve alcohol.
Not only is Caslen not a “victim-blamer,” but he has worked to study sexual assault and help survivors. He has written extensively on the issue, and he even co-chaired the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s commission on sexual assault.
Protesters even claim Caslen’s military service makes him Islamophobic. This is a baseless smear and a slap in the face to veterans and ROTC students on campus.
It gets worse. The small — but loud — group of outraged students claimed that Caslen’s reported consideration by President Trump for national security adviser made him racist, sexist, and an oppressor: all simply guilt by association.
The mob was further outraged at the four finalists happening to be male. It seems merit isn’t good enough for the outrage mob.
In embarrassing fashion, the Board of Trustees bowed down to the protesters, not only deciding to forego selecting Caslen, but also rejecting all four exceptional finalists. In response, they reopened the costly and already seven-month long search.
On July 8, it was reported that South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster was pressuring the Board of Trustees into voting on the previous four finalists. His pressure included a recommendation of Caslen. He cited Caslen’s ability to garner federal funding as his reasoning.
This vote outraged students even more.
Many protesters used a group message to brainstorm protest ideas. Some of the messages suggested protesting at board members’ homes as well as crashing the farewell party of the beloved outgoing President Harris Pastides.
In the event that Caslen does become the president of USC, some protesters have decided to “protest everything. Every speech. Every event. He will not know peace on our campus.”
One protester suggested that in a new search committee the student representative should be appointed by the diversity and inclusion committee, not the elected student body president.
Identity politics is taking a toll on our universities, this much is clear. Hopefully, the Board of Trustees will make the right decision and reject its toxic influence.
A.J. Abate is a student at the University of South Carolina.
