The president of the South Carolina Senate, Thomas Alexander, has requested an independent review of the massive Newry development in Oconee County following suspicions surrounding Clemson University’s alleged involvement.
Controversies initially arose regarding Jim Clements, former president of the University, and Nikki Haley, a board of trustees member, who both sat on the board of the publicly traded company constructing the subdivision.
Messages from the Newry developers came from emails associated with United Homes Group. Clements sat on the board of UHG from 2022 until he resigned in October 2025. Haley similarly resigned in October 2025, four years after joining the board in 2021.
“Clemson University will cooperate fully with the Inspector General’s review. We are confident the review will confirm that Clemson acted appropriately,” Joe Galbraith, a spokesperson for the University, told The Tiger in a statement.
He said that the University did not enter into any transactions or agreements for the Newry project.
“We have shared information about our involvement, making records publicly available on our website,” Galbraith continued.
Alexander represents Oconee County. In a letter accompanying his public statement, he calls upon Inspector General Brian Lamkin to investigate the Newry development as it pertains to Oconee County, private businesses and Clemson University.
The investigation is due to “public questions and concerns” and the additional records being produced by Oconee County and the University, according to Fits News.
Alexander is providing materials for Lamkin’s review, as stated in his letter.
Alexander expressly said that the call for investigation “should not be read as expressing any concern that Clemson University, its board members, or its employees acted improperly or unethically.”
Alternatively, Alexander expressed that he wishes for the University to “maintain its well-earned reputation.”
He cited the importance of public confidence in state institutions and how this public trust depends on institutions’ legality. The independent review will simply confirm the University’s representations regarding related actions to the Newry development, or alternatively identify where “practices fell short of institutional goals and should be addressed.”
In regard to why he called upon the inspector general instead of leading an investigation within the Senate, Alexander explained that the Senate Oversight Committee lacks jurisdiction over the University, since it does not have jurisdiction over any institution of higher education within the state. The Senate Education Committee also does not have the resources to conduct a detailed review.
Clemson University wrote in a statement to the South Carolina Daily Gazette that “At no point has the University provided funding for, partnered on or endorsed the planning or construction of any residential development related to this proposal.”
In both 2023 and 2024, Newry developers were reportedly in contact with the University’s senior management staff, even flying Clemson staff on a company plane to tour a development near Purdue University, according to the Daily Gazette.
South Carolina Speaker of the House Murrell Smith backed the request. Smith highlighted the need for external examination as opposed to “internal assurances.”
In a statement to faculty and staff, Interim President Bob Jones said, “We remain committed to transparency and will provide our full cooperation through this review process and the conclusion it will bring.”
Jones added that “Clemson remains steadfast in its commitment to openness and integrity throughout this review.”
The University’s goal is to provide clarity while maintaining the trust of the Clemson community.
As records and documents continue to emerge and the public narrative shifts and grows, the issue has developed from a local zoning concern to a statewide public examination of institutional integrity and governance.
This is a developing story. The Tiger will update this article with information as it becomes available.
