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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The president of South Carolina State University says the Orangeburg school can explain how it spent federal money planned for a transportation research center.

But multiple media outlets reported that school president George Cooper did not explain the spending during an appearance Thursday before the higher education commission.

The school's spending of $26 million is being reviewed by the Legislative Audit Council.

Cooper told the higher education commission the school has spent nearly $5 million of the money, but did now say how.

The school announced plans in 1998 for an $80 million center to conduct research and train workers in the transportation industry. The center is named for U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, a graduate of the university.

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