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Haley accused of lacking diversity in board appointees
Posted: 04.14.2011 at 10:35 AM
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Paula Orr  / MUSC
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COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) -- For the second time in as many months, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is taking heat over her appointment to a university board.

Some black legislators are upset over Haley's choice to replace the only black member on the Medical University of South Carolina board with a white man, saying Wednesday that Haley doesn't care about diversity.

Haley is South Carolina's first female and first minority governor as an Indian-American.

Earlier this month, Haley removed Dr. Paula Orr of North Charleston, the only black and only woman on the medical school's board. She was replaced with dentist Harold Jablon of Columbia.

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Orr has been the governor's designee to the board since July 2003.

Haley spokesman Rob Godrey says Jablon has extensive ties to the school and a record of military service and leadership. He says Haley does not consider race or gender when making appointments.

Last month Haley also removed longtime USC contributor Darla Moore from the University's board of trustees - replacing her with Lexington attorney and campaign contributor Tommy Cofield.

The move sparked a protest at the State House by USC students. The group was expecting more than 400 people to attend; however, it's estimated fewer than 200 people showed up.

After the rally, Governor Nikki Haley responded.

"We have to be clear that these board positions are not lifetime jobs," explained Haley Press Secretary Rob Godfrey.  "There must be no sense of entitlement to public office, whether for legislators, governors, or public university board members, regardless of their record of past service or philanthropy.  There are many great people in South Carolina - like Tommy Cofield - who can and will do an excellent job in these positions, and there is real value in bringing in a new perspective.”

Moore has said she is not interested in returning to the USC board, and announced she was giving a $5 million gift to USC to establish an aerospace research center.

What do you think about Haley's appointment choices for university boards? Leave your comments below to weigh in.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

 

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