Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 29, 1995                   TAG: 9511290084
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: COLUMBIA, S.C.                                LENGTH: Short

ALL-MALE CITADEL NOT CHEAP

While some lawmakers object, supporters see it as money well spent.

The Converse program, which has received $5 million in private money from The Citadel, will get $1.2 million in annual operating funds and $2 million in start-up costs if it receives federal court approval as a legal alternative to admitting women to the state military college.

``It's a farce,'' said state Sen. Kay Patterson, D-Columbia. ``Here we are pouring that amount of public funds into a private institution to keep one child from attending The Citadel. We are crazy as hell.''

Supporters say the expense is justified.

``This has to do with trying to preserve something that has a value far in excess of $2 or $3 million - something that once it's lost can never be replaced,'' said state Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston.

If the state money is forthcoming, South Carolina will spend about $60,000 per student for the 22 women in the program. That compares with $4,691 per student at the state's other four-year campuses, The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday.

McConnell said the Converse money likely wouldn't have gone to other higher education programs. And he said it's a bargain because estimates on the Senate floor were that it could cost $17 million to accommodate women at The Citadel.

``Har-har hardy-damn har,'' Patterson responded. ``They use that as a smoke screen.''