A maximum of $54.7 million is being requested for the reconstruction of Turner Hall.
Orangeburg, South Carolina — South Carolina State University will request $209 million in state funding in fiscal 2023-24 for five major capital projects to replace aging facilities.
A maximum of $54.7 million is being requested for the reconstruction of Turner Hall.
One of the oldest buildings on campus, the building is 95 years old. SCSU President Alex Conyers said this has created infrastructure and air quality issues, impacting college recruitment and retention.
“Students often say they can survive four years in these buildings, but our faculty and staff have lived in these buildings for 17, 20, or more years to deal with these conditions.” said Conyers.
It’s been 30 years since the university received full state funding for new academic facilities, Conyers said.
Universities also use funds to build facilities Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements by installing an elevator.
“For students, climbing the stairs in the Miller F. Whittaker Library is problematic if they have a leg injury or another problem that limits their mobility. Chief Sam Watson said.
Other projects include $40 million to replace Staley Hall with a Health and Wellness Facility, $30.3 million for a new library, and $45 million to replace the Smith Hammond Middleton Memorial Center with a high-capacity convening center.
In response to a historic underfunding of HBCUs across the country, Conyers said his vision is to modernize the campus and make it more competitive with other colleges.
“We know at this point in history if South Carolina State University has a chance to get anywhere near where it needs to be. Now we have this historic amount of funding available statewide.” said Conyers.
Last year, the university received a record amount of capital funding, including $20 million to expand its student center and $10 million to renovate Truth Hall, a residential building on campus.
