Southern Association of Colleges and Schools wants Bentley removed from all college boards

The agency responsible for accrediting all of Alabama’s two- and four-year colleges and universities is asking the state legislature to remove Gov. Robert Bentley from all state college boards because of a conflict-of-interest issue, according to a letter from the agency obtained (by) the Alabama Political Reporter.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), which issues accreditation for universities throughout the Southeast, wrote to the chairs of the Alabama Senate and House education committees earlier this month and noted that the issue with Bentley became evident when the SACS board undertook a review of the state’s new Community College System.

According to the letter, written by SACS president Belle Wheelan, Bentley’s service as the chair or president of every higher education board – a position he holds by virtue of his office – places him in conflict because he also has the responsibility to select the members of each board and has “ultimate budget authority” over all of the institutions’ budgets.

The SACS board “perceives that this presents a conflict of interest…,” Wheelan wrote to Sen. Dick Brewbaker and Rep. Terri Collins. “I am asking that the Alabama Legislature enact legislation within the state removing the governor from that position.”

Read more: http://www.alreporter.com/sacs-wants-bentley-removed-from-all-college-boards/