Hugine's contract was terminated by the SC State Board of Trustees on December 11, 2007, only four days before the Fall Commencement Exercises, by a telephone conference meeting. According to the Board, his reasons for dismissal were a performance review of Hugine for the 2006–2007 school year, and a second education review. Hugine is on administrative leave, and his last day as president was January 4, 2008. The Board decided to conduct a national search for a new president immediately. On December 13, 2007, the Board selected Leonard McIntyre, the Dean of the College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences at SC State to serve as Interim President. Hugine was the fourth president to leave SC State since Nance retired in 1986.