With more than a year until election day, discussion about the next presidential candidates is already in full swing. Issues of national importance are again being brought up, and as university students, we’re strongly encouraged to participate in this discourse. I absolutely expect that many of us here at Clemson will be headed to the polls next November to cast our vote and voice our opinions. While such issues are undoubtedly relevant, this election ought to be at least somewhat concerning for us Clemson students.

Although the prospect of a university faculty member running for office is nothing new or concerning — Jo Jorgenson ran for president in 2020 — the candidacy of Nikki Haley, a member of the University’s board of trustees, in 2024 raises some important questions regarding a conflict of interests. As a member of the board of trustees since 2021, Haley has had a say in important matters regarding the University for numerous years. Despite this important position, Haley has pursued a brazenly political educational agenda.

In 2016, Haley opposed millions in funding for South Carolina’s “already bloated higher education system.” Even as recently as this year, she has outwardly opposed the U.S. Department of Education, promising to cut its budget if elected. As a board member with considerable influence over the University’s finances and academic policies, this should at least be somewhat concerning.

The issue at hand isn’t really Haley’s inclusion on the board, however. As mentioned earlier, Clemson faculty have run for office in years past. Rather, this raises questions about the University administration and the other board members. Has this clear conflict of interest not yet been made apparent?

In 2019, Bob Caslen — an unqualified and politically-informed choice — was appointed the president of the University of South Carolina. Just two years later, Caslen resigned after plagiarizing a commencement address. Does Clemson intend to follow suit with such ill-informed political maneuvers?

The real issue is not Haley’s political approach to education; the issue is that the University’s administration seems to be okay with it. If Clemson University wants to remain the respected institution that it is today, it needs to start asking critical questions about whose interests it really wishes to advance — those of its nepotistic board members or those of its students.