Byline: Chase Duncan
A controversial email appeared in every Winthrop student’s inbox at the tail end of the spring 2026 semester, denouncing recent accusations of racism and misconduct made by former university General Counsel Christopher “Todd” Hagins as “false and misleading.”
The message, signed by Winthrop board Chair Joel Hamilton and Serna, was a response to Hagins that alleged 27 violations of the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and two violations of university bylaws.
The email also responded to Hagin’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint that alleged retaliation against him by the university for resisting efforts to punish another employee who filed racial discrimination reports against Tammie Phillips, the current Executive Director of the Office of the President.
“The allegations of race discrimination against Winthrop are false,” the email reads. “ […] We are affirming that Winthrop conducted a prompt, thorough, and professional investigation of the internal employee complaint and took appropriate remedial action. That is our duty under the law. We take that responsibility seriously and are letting you know since that time we have received no similar complaints about that employee.”
“Winthrop believes Mr. Hagins’ recent actions to be ones of desperation. He has again sought public attention to advance his personal vendetta through circulation of a lengthy unsworn statement full of false and misleading accusations.”
In response, dozens of students protested against the university across campus and in multiple buildings for what they viewed as a dishonest and disrespectful response against serious claims of racial prejudice, eventually coalescing into the organized student protest movement: Winthrop University United, or WuUnited.
Five months later, WuUnited leader and organizer Izzie Austin said the movement has made progress towards its objectives behind the scenes, particularly over the summer through dialogue with Winthrop President Edward Serna, university committees and local politicians.
“I have consistent emails and meetings with President Serna,” Austin said. “He gives me updates on what’s going on and the litigation behind everything. He has constantly been checking in, making sure everything is fine.”
Austin said that because of ongoing litigation involving racist comments made by Tammie Phillips, the president cannot make any public comments about the situation, but that does not mean he will not comment in the future following the outcome of the case.
“He can’t speak out for the university and say ‘we don’t condone this behavior’ because that’s still part of the litigation process, which I feel like people should know. Because if they don’t know that, they can assume that he’s not speaking out because he doesn’t care. […] Even the terminology of ‘we are not a racist institution, or we do not condone slurs’ in regards to Tammy Phillips is a legal matter that they could further sue him for,” Austin said.
Austin said that the university president has repeatedly asked what he can do to help mitigate any hateful comments the student movement and their protesters receive through social media.
“A lot of the comments under our stuff are blatantly racist, telling us to ‘go somewhere else.’ ‘If we don’t like it, go somewhere else.’ So President Serna has been checking in, making sure we’re not getting any threats or if we have concrete evidence who’s doing it, he’s been able to go in and mitigate some of that,” Austin said.
Austin, along with Jabari Simmons, founder and president of the newly formed Black Student Union, also met with Winthrop’s Black Alumni Council during the interim between Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 semesters.
“They got to hear us out a little bit, just kind of gaging where our feelings were after the protest, what they could do to help. They set up a mentorship program where the Black Alumni Council could mentor Black students and have a safety net for them.
They also are having us at the Black Alumni Council events so that students, especially Black students, can know where their resources are, and you know have a sense of belonging on campus, and know how to navigate as Black students going through something,” Austin said.
Local politicians have also met with Simmons and Austin to learn more about WuUnited and what they are protesting.
“A lot of representatives or running representatives wanted to hear about our cause because our state board is appointed by our governor, so they want to make sure if they’re in office or when they’re in office, they have the opportunity to know about what affects the students and what affects campus climate, so they can make the right decisions to appoint board members who they can make sure have clean backgrounds,” Austin said.
The WuUnited president said that the activist group has and will continue to make their voices heard this semester, even if it’s not through organized protests.
“A lot of the grassroots tactics we’re doing is making sure that we’re getting all the information that we can […] showing up to board meetings, getting information on the whereabouts of the school to make sure there’s no systemic racism issues going on, and holding those people accountable as well,” Austin said.
Austin said that she encourages students to meet with Serna during his in-person office hours, even if it is just for 15 minutes, to make their voices heard, and to believe in the raw power of their own voice.
“Always believe that you have the opportunity to make a change, regardless of where you came from or who you are. You matter. Your voice is not too small, and you can be heard, and change can be made as long as you step out and do what you need to do.”
“Also, I would encourage people to go out and vote. Election season is coming up. Use your vote. Things like this are on the ballot, and raise awareness. We’re in Rock Hill, South Carolina, but in North Carolina, people are being lynched, and a lot of our families are from North Carolina, so that’s on the ballot too. There’s more work to be done,” Austin said.