our readers write

Your recent article regarding USC President Harris Pastides’ costly use of a university plane for short trips around the state “to save time” was very revealing and timely particularly with the announcement of yet another tuition increase.

Of course, the tuition hike announcement was in tandem with the ubiquitous palaver about how the university is cutting costs. Unfortunately, costly antics such as you noted about the use of the university plane speak otherwise.

I recall last summer the revelation that Mr. Pastides, his Vice Presidents and administrators were allowing nearly half of the out-of-state students to pay the same tuition that in-state students pay.

I recognize this practice allows USC to fill many of its empty classrooms and dorms as well as private off-campus housing. But it also means SC taxpayers are subsidizing these students.

Are North Carolina and Georgia giving SC students the same break at their state institutions?

As an USC alumnus these excesses are disturbing and I hope our state legislature will severely examine these practices and conduct when President Pastides and his minions present their case for fund increases for the next fiscal year.

Bob Ferrell, Lexington County