Orangeburg, SC (WLTX) - Several high-ranking members of South Carolina State University were let go Friday, but for now, it's unclear why.
News 19 has confirmed one of those personnel changes occured inside the SC State police force. Chief Michael Bartley is no longer with SC State according to his lawyer. As of Friday evening, Bartley had not been indicted on any charges.
Around 2:00 in the afternoon Friday, the university issued a one-line statement earlier in the day that said the following: "effective immediately, several personnel changes have been made at SC State University. There will be no further public comment on this personnel matter."
Later in the day, the university said University President George Cooper would make a statement; however, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Anthony Holloman came out, did not take questions, and distributed a lengthier written response from Cooper.
"SC State University is currently conducting an internal investigation to review certain policies and practices of the University. After reviewing preliminary findings of this investigation I have determined that several personnel changes needed to be made, effective immediately. As it is the practice of SC State University, the nature of personnel matters is not publicly disclosed.
"It is important that you know that as President of SC State University, I take very seriously the administrative and fiduciary responsibility entrusted to me. I am committed to ensuring that the students who attend SC State University remain top priority and that we sustain public trust in the work that we do. The actions taken affirm my sincere sentiments. As this is an ongoing investigation, there will be a full report provided in the future."
Students on campus caught wind of the changes.
"The buzz is there have been some firings or some people have been let go from the university," said Whitfield Wescott, a communications major. "We're really worried that it could be at the presidential level and have a huge effect."
News19 contacted several members of the board of trustees, who either did not know about the situation or referred our station to Cooper.