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To privatize or not to privatize, that is the question. Clemson University President James F. Barker addressed the issue of privatization during an end-of-semester faculty and staff meeting. "Many of you have been asking if privatization is the next major change that Clemson will undergo. If it is up to us, the answer should be 'no,' if we apply the same standards that have been used in the past, it does not meet the test," Barker said. "There has not been careful, thoughtful deliberation, and there is no indication that such a move would be in Clemson's or in South Carolina's best interest. Certainly, it is not an action that should be taken simply to balance the state budget.
Elizabeth Hoyle, Mark Charney and Ronald Herrin were recognized during the meeting for their commitment to the university. Hoyle was presented with the Alumni Award for Distinguished Cooperative Extension Public Service, while Herrin and Charney each received the Thomas Green Clemson Award for Excellence. Hoyle, a professor of packaging science since 1980, began working for the university as a county extension agent in the mid-1970s. Under Hoyle's leadership, Clemson has trained over 6,000 food service employees in how to safely handle food using the program called ServSafe ®. The employee training material developed and tested by Hoyle is now used across the country. Hoyle also developed and tested cost effective methods of training food service employees, including via videoconference in Spanish. The alumni award is presented each year to a public service professional, who has significantly contributed to the well being of South Carolina citizens and has provided outstanding service on behalf of the university. Charney, the faculty recipient of the Thomas Green Clemson Award for Excellence, is professor and interim chair of the Clemson English department. He served as regional chair with the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival and coordinated and hosted the 10-state region festival. He now serves as coordinator of the festival's National O'Neill Critics Institute. Earlier this year Charney received the Bronze Medallion of Honor from the Kennedy Center for his service to the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Herrin is payroll and benefits manager in the university human resources office and is the staff recipient of the Thomas Green Clemson Award. Herring has worked at Clemson for nearly 30 years and worn many different hats over that time. In nominating him for the award, his colleagues said Herring is a "caring individual who takes time to explain, discuss and listen." The Thomas Green Clemson Award for Excellence was established by the university's provost office in 1999 to honor outstanding faculty and staff who have made significant contributions to academic life at Clemson. A $2,500 cash gift for the individual and additional money for the library accompanies the award. (Images provided by Clemson University)
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"Clemson is a public university in terms of its character, personality and values, not just in terms of funding. As a public university, Clemson is affordable, engaged and accountable. We see no compelling reason for Clemson to abandon the mission that has served the state well for 115 years," Barker said. 