Efforts to Protect Free Speech in South Carolina Universities

South Carolina’s Republican Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evett, along with her legislative supporters, is advocating for policies that would prevent universities in the state from retaliating against speakers based on their political beliefs.

The lieutenant governor recently became a focal point of controversy at South Carolina State University (SCSU) when the institution canceled her commencement address set for May 8. Officials cited safety concerns after left-leaning student protests erupted in response to Evett’s positions on diversity, equity, and inclusion, among other topics. Following this disinvitation, a group of conservative lawmakers indicated they might withdraw $5 million meant for SCSU’s new Convocation Center.

Evett is a candidate in South Carolina’s forthcoming gubernatorial election, receiving backing from both President Donald Trump and the term-limited Republican Governor Henry McMaster. In an interview, she expressed strong support for her fellow lawmakers’ efforts.

“Any agency that receives state taxpayer dollars should not be allowed to block conservative speech,” said Evett. “Stop funding them entirely if they try.”

Student protesters cited her opposition to DEI initiatives, her pro-life stance on abortion, and her alignment with Trump as reasons for their actions. Evett has consistently referred to these demonstrators as part of a “woke mob.” Notably, SCSU is the only public historically Black university in South Carolina.

Republican Representative Melissa Lackey-Oremus, one of the lawmakers leading this initiative, mentioned in an interview, “We can’t dictate how our schools run, but we can address what should be done with state funds.”

Oremus spearheaded a June 1 letter urging the Budget Conference Committee to eliminate the proposed funding for the Convocation Center. She explained, “[W]e want to send a strong message that free speech at state-funded colleges will not be compromised.”

Critics argue that allowing a few student voices to dictate who can speak undermines the rights of all speakers. In their letter, they noted how this example reflects poorly on a publicly funded university. The state budget, effective July 1, is currently being finalized by lawmakers.

Oremus, who supports Evett’s gubernatorial campaign, clarified that their legislative actions are not intended to harm SCSU’s financial standing but rather to signal the importance of preserving conservative voices.

Evett recounted how in December 2025, SCSU invited her to speak, and she accepted. However, she expressed surprise at the sudden decision to revoke the invitation just weeks before the event, emphasizing her commitment to discussing the American dream and her personal background during the speech.

The protests began as a simple sit-in but soon escalated into a broader demonstration. Evett mentioned receiving numerous negative messages through social media after the protests intensified.

SCSU officials ultimately contacted Evett’s office to rescind the invitation due to safety concerns. This decision caught her off guard, as she expected a message of inspiration, not controversy.

The incident resulted in resignations from key figures such as the student body president and the president of the university’s alumni association, who later gave speeches on behalf of the Republican Party.

Interestingly, Evett clarified that her planned remarks would not have mentioned contentious issues but were instead about hard work and perseverance, drawing from her family history. “It was never supposed to be political,” she added. “I aimed to inspire.”

In a broader context, Evett has been vocal about the need for reforms in higher education, particularly concerning professor tenure, which she argues stifles critical thinking among students. She even proposed ending tenure as a corrective measure following a particularly charged incident involving the assassination of a conservative activist.

Evett stressed the need to protect conservative viewpoints on college campuses and indicated that, if elected governor, she would advocate for ensuring that all voices, including conservative ones, can be heard.

Lastly, she expressed that this situation reflects a larger issue where conservative thinkers feel silenced on campuses. She emphasized the need for accountability and a commitment to free speech across all institutions, aiming to foster a culture where diverse perspectives, including those from the conservative side, are welcomed and encouraged.