A bill to create a single board of regents to oversee South Carolina's state colleges and universities will be a hard sell. But at a time when most state institutions are cutting budgets and trying to resist tuition increases, the option might be more attractive. State Rep. G.M. Smith, R-Sumter, filed legislation to establish a board of regents. This is the second time he has introduced such a bill.

His goal is to streamline programs, improve efficiency and cut down on duplication of services at the state's public colleges and universities. While Smith concedes that his bill faces many hurdles, he has the backing of Gov. Mark Sanford, who long has championed the idea of a board of regents. ...

Of course, some of the concerns of colleges and universities regarding a board of regents are warranted. Many state-supported schools — including Winthrop University and York Technical College in York County — play a vital role in their communities and work hand-inhand with local businesses to train employees. That close relationship might diminish when authority is removed from local boards. ...

Nonetheless, better collaboration and cooperation among the state's schools is necessary. ...

South Carolina should give serious consideration to joining many other states whose colleges and universities are governed by a centralized board of regents.

The (Rock Hill) Herald