South Carolina State faces defunding threats after Pamela Evette commencement cancellation

Following South Carolina State students’ successful protest of Lt. Governor Pamela Evette being named commencement speaker, the institution faces threats of defunding by in-state government officials. Per Nick Reynolds of the Post and Courier, the South Carolina Freedom Caucus has released a letter calling on South Carolina State to be defunded in the next state budget.

Looks like members of the @SCFreedomCaucus now formally calling on SCSU to be defunded in the budget, per a letter I was just sent.

They’d been expressing this on social media since yesterday, so somewhat expected. https://t.co/8R7tI2LP9Z pic.twitter.com/KZyouJOURv

— Nick Reynolds (@IAmNickReynolds) April 30, 2026

The letter in full is below.

“Chairman Bannister,

We, the undersigned members of the House, are deeply concerned about the decision made by South Carolina State University to rescind the invitation to Lt. Governor Pamela Evette as the speaker at their upcoming commencement ceremony next week.

In recent days, we have seen widespread protests on the campus of SC State due to Lt. Governor Evette’s political stances. Protestors cited her opposition to DEI practices, her pro-life record, and being a “Trump Conservative”, among others.

It is shameful that a state institution, supported by taxpayer dollars, would capitulate and rescind an invitation to our sitting Lt. Governor – seemingly because some students do not agree with her political views. Institutions of higher learning are intended to be a space where young adults are presented with a variety of viewpoints and ideas, not centers of indoctrination where conservative views are not welcome.

In announcing their decision to rescind Lt. Governor Evette’s invitation, the university also explained that there were concerns about safety. It is inexcusable that a commencement speech from the Lt. Governor of South Carolina had to be canceled because her safety could not be guaranteed on a state-funded campus.

We are hereby requesting that no funding for South Carolina State University be included in the second version of the budget. There is no reason why state tax dollars should continue to fund a state institution where not all South Carolinians are welcome. If the Lt. Governor of South Carolina is unwelcome due to different political ideologies and an inability to keep her safe, it is time to defund and reevaluate.”

Students at South Carolina State University held protests earlier this week in response to the selection of Pamela Evette as the spring commencement speaker. As reported by WLTX News 19, demonstrations took place on campus on Tuesday, while an online petition urging officials to reconsider the decision gained tens of thousands of supporters.

Evette later responded to the criticism by posting a video statement on her social media accounts that same evening.

“While I was at the White House today, I heard about what’s happening on the campus of SC State University. Let’s be clear: facts trump feelings in the real world. President Trump and conservatives have done more for HBCUs than any administration in history. I must be doing something right because woke mobs are coming after me for being a champion of eliminating radical DEI scams on college campuses. So bring it on.”

South Carolina State president Alxander Conyers confirmed the cancellation in a statement to media.

“Out of an abundance of caution for safety and with careful consideration, the university has decided to move in a different direction for this Spring Commencement. We will welcome Lt. Gov. Evette to our campus to engage with our students, faculty and staff in a constructive manner at a later date outside the celebratory nature of commencement.”

He also commended the students for peacefully protesting on campus.

“Our students have exercised their rights in a manner that reflects the importance of civic engagement and respectful discourse within a university community. South Carolina State University remains committed to maintaining an environment where individuals are able to express their views peacefully and respectfully while upholding the standards and values of the institution.”

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