SC State Foundation has filed a lawsuit against interim university president Alexander Conyers, alleging a “retaliatory campaign” after the foundation refused to add $75,000 annually to Conyers’ six-figure salary. The suit, filed in Orangeburg County Monday, claims the university forced the foundation out of its campus office and ended a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under false pretenses of “transparency” and “accountability.” The foundation seeks to overturn the MOU termination and demand “damages and other remedies” for what it calls wrongful interference with its operations.
“The Foundation is not President Conyers’ bank account,” the lawsuit states, accusing Conyers and his allies of attempting to control the foundation’s finances. It alleges that university officials used the foundation’s records to promote a competing fundraising gala. The legal battle comes as South Carolina State University grapples with a string of crises, including two shootings in the 2025-2026 academic year. One incident involved the deaths of two teens during a marijuana dispute at a campus housing complex, while another left 19-year-old Jaliyah Butler dead during homecoming celebrations.
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Recent protests over the selection of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, a Republican, as commencement speaker further intensified tensions. The university disinvited Evette after she called critics a “woke mob,” prompting state lawmakers to threaten funding cuts. One Republican described the move as “symbolic,” but the backlash underscored deepening divisions. The foundation’s lawsuit adds another layer to the turmoil, alleging that Conyers’ actions were meant to undermine its independence.
The MOU, which governed the foundation’s relationship with the university, was terminated in late 2025, according to court documents. The foundation claims it was evicted from its campus office without explanation, despite no evidence of “space needs.” The lawsuit argues the university’s actions violated the MOU’s terms and disrupted the foundation’s ability to operate. A university spokesperson declined to comment on the litigation, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, campus officials have faced mounting pressure to address safety concerns. After the shootings, student leaders demanded increased security measures, but no significant changes have been announced. The foundation’s legal challenge, however, focuses narrowly on financial and operational disputes, not the broader safety issues. A judge has not yet scheduled a hearing, and it remains unclear how long the case will take to resolve.
The foundation’s lawsuit includes a detailed timeline of events, alleging that Conyers began pressuring the foundation in early 2025. It cites internal emails and meeting notes as evidence of efforts to “coerce” the foundation into funding his salary. The suit also names several university officials as co-defendants, though the primary focus remains on Conyers. Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for nonprofit governance in public universities, though no similar lawsuits have been reported nationally.
Some faculty members have expressed skepticism about the foundation’s claims, noting that Conyers’ salary is set by the university board, not the foundation. “The foundation isn’t responsible for presidential compensation,” said Dr. Lena Torres, a sociology professor. Still, others argue the lawsuit highlights broader tensions between the university administration and external groups. With the academic year nearing its midpoint, the legal and political battles show no sign of abating.