The  Montgomery Advertiser through an Alabama Open Records Act request received copies of communication between Alabama State University board members and the university president Gwendolyn Boyd. She joined the staff in February and has alleged that trustee Marvin Wiggins has tried to “bully, intimidate, coerce and harass her,” according to the Montgomery Advertiser.
Also apparently there is tension from the board regarding an organizational chart she shared with the members on Friday, April 25. A typo incorrectly caused it to appear that the board reports to her and they were displeased at simply receiving it at a meeting with no advance notice.
“In a letter sent Monday, April 28, [Elton] Dean writes: “I write this letter to you on behalf of the (ASU) board of trustees out of profound concern with regard to the way you have chosen to manage your interaction and relationship with the ASU board. It is unclear what has caused a shift from our very open, communicative and positive relationship to one that appears to be acrimonious and contentious, and to borderline on blatant disrespect and insubordination.”
Dean goes on to state that he believes Boyd either doesn’t understand the role of the board or that she’s chosen to disregard it. He points out the state statute that authorizes the board to approve all personnel moves at ASU.”
Boyd denies the org chart was a surprise indicating she was told by him to simply share it with the board at a meeting. Dean denies this happened.
The more interesting part of Boyd’s response is reference to a meeting discussing reaching out to the FBI:
“Boyd also references a meeting that took place in her office on April 24, with Wiggins, ASU general counsel Kenny Thomas and attorney Donald Watkins. Boyd said that meeting concerned establishing a relationship with the FBI, and that it was a follow-up to a previous meeting in which someone attempted to convince Boyd to meet with the FBI and provide statements from the sister of Jacqueline Weatherly that Weatherly lied during her sexual harassment trial about Knight’s actions.”
Well, now everyone has kissed and made up and declared their problems were resolved.
However, keep in mind that in 2012 the board reportedly paid former president Joseph Silver over $680,000 just six months after hiring him — after he accused them of improper management and financial dealings.
So, it makes you wonder what is really going on.
