Retirement Payment Shortfall due Board of Trustees Not Approving Budget

Alabama A&M University has fallen two months - nearly $2 million - behind in payments to the state retirement system on behalf of its 1,100 employees, retirement officials say.

Slight payment lags of a week or two are common, but no other public institution has missed two straight months, according to Donald Yancey, director of benefits for the Retirement Systems of Alabama.

A&M officials blamed the state, a statement from Vice President for Business and Finance Charlie Rucker on Thursday said that "the state is about two months behind in payments (warrants) to Alabama A&M University."

If state education payments are the problem , Gov. Bob Riley asked, "Why is every other university and school system in Alabama up to date?"

The payment gap won't prevent someone from retiring from A&M with full benefits, Yancey said, because RSA routinely starts retirement payments while waiting for the last payroll deductions to catch up.

But until the shortfall is made up, Yancey said the system will not cash out any departing employee's retirement account. That means an employee leaving for another job this summer will find his or her account frozen until A&M catches up.

The shortfall includes both the 5 percent retirement contribution withheld from A&M salaries each month, plus the 11 percent matching contribution the school makes, Rucker said.

Rucker said both contributions are held in university bank accounts, "and both amounts are submitted to RSA when sufficient funds are accumulated."

A&M has an average monthly payroll of about $6 million, Rucker said. Sixteen percent of $6 million means an approximate $960,000 monthly contribution. That puts A&M nearly $2 million behind.

A&M has been dealing with the same budget woes affecting public schools, colleges and universities across the state. The university's state appropriation this year was about $45 million, down from a first proposal of almost $50 million. For next year, Riley estimates that mandated budget cuts will limit A&M to about $40 million from the state. It gets millions more from other sources, including the federal government.

Interim A&M President Dr. Beverly Edmond and A&M officials have implemented steps to deal with the budget, including monthly unpaid furloughs of 12 hours for administrators and eight hours for staff earning $30,000 a year, and a 5 percent cut in pay for summer faculty, Rucker said.

A&M is currently operating without a permanent president or an approved budget.

It has no budget because the board of trustees has not met to pass one, and the board hasn't met because of two ongoing disputes, one between Riley and legislators over new appointees to the board, and one between remaining members over A&M's next president.

Riley's spokesman said Thursday that the governor hasn't decided whether to continue to push his four nominees.

The four have failed to win Senate confirmation for two years.

"The governor is reviewing his options," said Todd Stacy, Riley's press secretary.
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Source: HUBC blog

THE 52nd ANNUAL ASFC REGIONAL FORESTRY CONCLAVE WILL BE HOSTED BY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY

Huntsville , Ala. ---- Alabama A&M University will host the 52nd annual conference and competition held among members of the Association of Southern Forestry Clubs ( ASFC ) March 12-15. The 2009 event will mark AAMU’s first time hosting the activity.

The 52nd annual ASFC forestry conclave at Alabama A&M promotes cooperation and friendly competition among forestry schools throughout the Southeast. It also aims to instill high ethical standards among students and professional foresters. Since its inception at the University of Georgia in 1957, the regional conclave now attracts 16 southern forestry institutions and more than 250 contestants.

AAMU joined the ASFC in 2003 and competed for the first time at Mississippi State University in 2004. By 2007, two AAMU students had become award winners in the women’s bow saw physical event (gold) and technical event of timber estimation (silver).

Faculty advisor William Stone notes that hosting the ASFC forestry conclave at AAMU brings recognition to “the quality of our accredited forestry program among the large land-grant institutions and showcases the facilities our University has to support its agricultural programs.”

Most of the activities will be held at the Winfred Thomas Agricultural Farm in Hazel Green, Ala. , and the Agribition Center on Moore ’s Mill Road . ASFC member schools scheduled to participate are Auburn University, Arkansas University at Monticello, Clemson University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University, University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech University..

For additional information about the AAMU Forestry Club or the upcoming four-day forestry conclave, contact Dr. William E. Stone at (256) 372-4248 ; Dr. Kozma Naka at (256) 372-4235 ; or visit http://saes.aamu.edu/conc2009.htm.
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Source: AAMUFamily yahoo group, written by Jerome Saintjones

AAMU Honda Team Advances to the National Tournament in Orlando

Huntsville, Ala. ---- The 2009 Alabama A&M University Honda Campus All Star Challenge Team has been selected to participate in the 20th Anniversary National Competition Tournament March 26-30 in Orlando , Fla. The tournament will feature teams from 64 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the United States.

The AAMU team, led by Kevin Render, senior biology major from Buffalo , N.Y. , will answer20questions about literature, history, science, social sciences, the fine arts, pop culture, current events, mathematics and trivia from other areas. Other members of the team are Kyle D av is, senior, Urban Planning, Birmingham, Ala.; Mary Lynn Hayes, junior, chemistry, Woodberry, Ga.; Steven Sanders, senior, sociology, Trottwood, Ohio; and DeVonna Freeman, junior, management, Russellville, Ala. The team was selected from among the 80 students who participated in the November 2 campus tournament that was open to all unde rgr aduate AAMU students. The HCASC Coach, Dr. Barbara A.P. Jones, School of Business , and the AAMU Campus Coordinator, Carla Draper Holloway, interim director, Honors Center , thank supporters of this year's students and program.

The 2008 AAMU HCASC team advanced to the Elite Eight. This year’s team expects to do even better.
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Source: AAMUFamily yahooogroup, writen by Jerome Saintjones

DoD sponsors Alabama A&M University Workshops on Winning Grants, Contracts and Surplus Equipment

During February 25-26, DoD will culminate its Black History Month observance with the outreach activities planned by AAMU, according to Clarence A. Johnson, principal director of DoD’s Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity.

DoD's Theme for the month of February "Reaching Out to Youth: A Strategy for Excellence." Accordingly, all DoD organizations and agencies are being urged to conduct events and activities in observance of Black History Month. The two-day DoD observance will begin Wednesday, February 25, with a 10 a.m. technical assistance workshop in the Learning Resources Center auditorium designed to provide university administrators and students information on obtaining surplus equipment, contracts and grants.

The session will end at 5 p.m. The culminating event of the first day is a welcome and awards ceremony at 7 p.m. in the Ernest 20 L. Knight Reception Center .

The ceremony will host historically black college and university (HBCU) presidents and administrators; local government officials; and community members and organizations. It will also recognize military award recipients engaged in the global war on terrorism. This event is sponsored by Team Redstone. The DoD/HBCU Leadership Symposium has been scheduled for Thursday, February 26, from 8-11 a.m. in the Clyde Foster Multipurpose Room of the School of Business . Senior DoD officials and HBCU presidents will discuss critical minority representation issues.

Two concurrent sessions also will run from 9-11:30 a.m. on Thursday. A student exposition for middle and high school students will be held in the auditorium of the School of Engineering and Technology. The session will include presentations about opportunities for appointments at service academies, ROTC entry, and civilian careers. Students will also have a chance to tour exhibits. A similar college student career symposium will be held in the Dawson Building auditorium. Additional exhibits will be located in the Ernest L. Knight Reception Center on Wednesday and Thursday. The joint DoD-AAMU Black History Month observance will conclude with a luncheon in the Ernest L. Knight Reception Center at 12 noon for HBCU officials and students.

For additional information, contact Charmane Collins in the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity at (703) 571-9332 , charmane.collins@ osd.mil, or contact AAMU’s Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Sponsored Programs at (256) 372-5675 .

Alabama A&M University trustees trying to schedule another meeting

Alabama A&M University trustees trying to schedule another meet...

How many trustees does it take to schedule an meeting to interview a president? My god, is it me or are the Trustees completely incompetent? Alabama A&M is great school which produces great talent who contributes to society, gives service to the country, produces patented research with remarkable results in spite of Governor Riley's efforts to halt the success of the school. The Governor of Alabama, Riley, has systematically chosen Trustees that are ineffective and incompetent. Against the will the schools Alumni, students, and the state of Alabama's constitution, the Governor has managed to pull a George Bush over on the school by breaking the state laws and placing Trustees on the board, without the state Senate approval. Clearly, he has strategically chosen Trustees that care little for the school. In spite of that, the school is still accelerating, and it's alumni are achieving success. I suppose Riley can not stop greatness. Again, I ask the question, how many Trustees meetings does it take to interview for the University's President? Obviously, four.......and counting. The Saga continues. Yes, we Alumni, will be watching and reporting on every minute.

Court backs Republican AL Gov. in lawsuit over AAMU trustees

The State Supreme Court today dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block four Alabama A&M University trustees appointed by Gov. Bob Riley from sitting on the board.

Riley appointed the four, including Huntsville developer David Slyman, last year, but they were rejected by the state Senate. Riley re-appointed them after the Legislature went out of session. Several taxpayers sued to block those appointments.

Today's high court ruling dismissed that suit on the grounds the taxpayers had no grounds to sue.

"Our position from the beginning has been that the plaintiffs did not have standing to bring this case and, therefore, the court did not have subject-matter jurisdiction over this case," Riley said today. Today's decision is a confirmation of our position. I'm hopeful now that the board will come together as a functioning board of trustees and conduct its business for the university in a manner in which they are bound to by their fiduciary duty."

"We have lost a battle, but not the war," said plaintiffs' attorney Troy Massey of Montgomery. "These four trustees must still be confirmed by the Alabama Senate during the current session. I am disappointed, but not really surprised."

The suit contested Riley's appointment of trustees David Slyman Jr., Leroy Richie, Edward May, and the Rev. Clyde McNeil.
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Source: HBCU blog

Alumnus,City Council President Pro Tempore, Attorney Miriam D. Witherspoon is a trailblazing Mover & Shaker

Alabama A&M Alumnus Miriam D. Witherspoon is an attorney and representative for District 7 in the Birmingham City Council. Although, her term will be ending this year, she has proven to be an unsung hero to many whose voices are not heard.

Witherspoon has a degree in political science and history from Alabama A&M University and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Miles School of Law. An auto accident in 1988 injured her spinal cord and left her wheelchair-bound. She has been practicing law since 1990, with a specialty in senior citizens and disability issues. She was the executive director of Senior Citizens Services of Alabama. She also served as the Attorney for Senior Citizens in Jefferson County and currently maintains a private practice in probate law.

She was first elected to the City Council in the 2005 Birmingham City Council election over six opponents for the seat vacated by Bert Miller. Her current term ends in 2009. On the Council she serves as President Pro Tempore. She also chairs Public Improvements Committee and is a member of the Administration, Budget and Finance Committee.

On the council, Witherspoon has taken a leadership role in promoting city-wide compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Upon her election the Council chambers were immediately retrofitted to make them accessible for her. She sponsored the Birmingham Visti-ability Ordinance mandating disabled access in neighborhoods across the city. She proposed and later withdrew a 120% pay increase for council members in 2008.

Witherspoon was also the first African American to be honored as "Miss Wheelchair Alabama". Birmingham is the first city in Alabama to pass a Visit-ability Ordinance. Passage of this ordinance which was introduced by President Pro Tem Witherspoon, has the potential to transform Birmingham's neighborhoods.

Generous with her intellectual and legal skills, she has received numerous accolades and commendations including the Perseverance Award form the Alabama Association of Women’s Clubs, Inc., Women’s History Award presented by the Girl Scouts of America, Award of Recognition from Miles Law School and Certificates of Appreciation from Bessemer State Technical School of Geriatric Nursing and Alabama A&M University. In March 2006, the Independent Living Center recognized her as an “exemplary role model.”

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Source: http://www.informationbirmingham.com/district7