Recent developments in the City of Clemson and Oconee County have raised questions about potential improper practices and conflicts of interest between Clemson University, its president, James P. Clements, one of its trustees, Nikki Haley, United Homes Group’s chief executive officer, Michael Nieri, and the City of Clemson.

President Clements and the Board of Trustees have rapidly increased student enrollment while keeping on campus housing flat - all while Clements and Haley earned direct compensation and stock from a company in the off-campus housing and land-development business. 

Moreover, Clements’ in-laws’ company, Keowee Trail LLC, made over $6 million dollars selling the land for the city’s largest approved student housing project ever. An UHG affiliate, Two Blue Stallions LLC owned at least one of the properties for the last (and to-date tallest) approved off campus student housing project in Clemson. Another affiliate of UHG proposed in 2024 a joint university-UHG collaboration in Oconee County for the development of a project in Newry. Michael Nieri, the chief executive of United Homes Group hosted several top CU administrators, including Chief Financial Officer Rick Petillo, on his private jet to tour a similar project in Purdue Indiana. This trip was recently discovered and disclosed by Oconee County Council Chairman, Matthew Durham.

These relationships and transactions appear to have financially benefitted or would potentially benefit Clements and Haley, and the university has issued misleading statements regarding their participation. There are many questions as to how far and deep these relationships run. For example, was the sale of Clemson University Foundation land to the principal shareholder of UHG an arm’s length transaction?  Were any UHG affiliates lined up to participate in Clemson’s Tax Incremental Funding project (TIF)?

By signing this petition I attest that I am a resident of South Carolina, a resident of the City of Clemson, an alumnus, alumna, Clemson student or family of a Clemson student, Clemson faculty member, and I am asking for an investigation by the Attorney General into all the above matters and for a full and transparent report of any findings. A complete investigation would restore a trust in university and local leadership that is now seemingly broken and is also owed to all the mentioned parties to clear them of any unfounded accusations.