NORMAL, AL -
Governor Riley sent this memo to members of the Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees. It was dated June 12, 2009.
Subject: Board Duties and Responsibilities
As each of you are aware by now, I have just appointed four new Trustees to fill the four vacancies created when the Alabama State Senate failed to confirm the prior appointees. The University's Board of Trustees now has a complete Board. It is time now, in fact it is past time, for the Board to come together and act on all matters relating to Alabama A&M University that so urgently need your attention. It has been far too long since the Board has met and since the Board members have fulfilled their fiduciary duties in carrying out the business of the University and governance of the University.
I encourage each of you, both individually and as a Board, to focus on your responsibilities to ensure the progress, advancement, growth, and improvement in quality of the University and all aspects thereof. I encourage each of you, individually and as a Board, to set aside your petty differences, set aside any personal agendas, and set aside any individual disputes or disagreements that you may have with other Trustees. I encourage each of you to fulfill your fiduciary duties to the University and, in turn, to the State of Alabama, that you assumed when you accepted your appointment as Trustees of this fine University. I encourage each of you to meet regularly, at both the statutorily set meetings and at any call of the Chair or Pro Tem and to fully participate in discussions and in the decision‑making process. It is not expected that there will be unanimity on each issue and decision that you make. On the other hand, you will be fulfilling your duties and responsibilities if you participate regularly, express your opinions, listen to the opinions of your fellow Trustees, and vote in accordance with your conscience and best judgment, as you believe is in the best interest of the University, its students, faculty, staff, and the State of Alabama. Most often you will find that all of these interests coincide.
None of us can provide the leadership and direction that this great University needs and deserves individually, nor through the press or other media. None of us can be individually correct in each opinion, judgment, or position that we take. The design of the governance of this fine University calls for the collective wisdom of a Board of Trustees and it is expected that each member of the Board bring their own judgment, education, experiences, and opinions to the other members of the Board so that collective judgment and wisdom will be reasonable, responsible, and effective as possible. It is time now to move Alabama A&M University forward and upward. Please do everything within your power to make the Board of Trustees an effective and functioning Board to bring the leadership and governance to the University that it deserves and that the students, faculty, staff, and general public expect.
I personally thank each of you for your time and effort to serve as Trustees. I look forward to all of us working together for the betterment and advancement of this great institution.
-Gov. Bob Riley
Subject: Board Duties and Responsibilities
As each of you are aware by now, I have just appointed four new Trustees to fill the four vacancies created when the Alabama State Senate failed to confirm the prior appointees. The University's Board of Trustees now has a complete Board. It is time now, in fact it is past time, for the Board to come together and act on all matters relating to Alabama A&M University that so urgently need your attention. It has been far too long since the Board has met and since the Board members have fulfilled their fiduciary duties in carrying out the business of the University and governance of the University.
I encourage each of you, both individually and as a Board, to focus on your responsibilities to ensure the progress, advancement, growth, and improvement in quality of the University and all aspects thereof. I encourage each of you, individually and as a Board, to set aside your petty differences, set aside any personal agendas, and set aside any individual disputes or disagreements that you may have with other Trustees. I encourage each of you to fulfill your fiduciary duties to the University and, in turn, to the State of Alabama, that you assumed when you accepted your appointment as Trustees of this fine University. I encourage each of you to meet regularly, at both the statutorily set meetings and at any call of the Chair or Pro Tem and to fully participate in discussions and in the decision‑making process. It is not expected that there will be unanimity on each issue and decision that you make. On the other hand, you will be fulfilling your duties and responsibilities if you participate regularly, express your opinions, listen to the opinions of your fellow Trustees, and vote in accordance with your conscience and best judgment, as you believe is in the best interest of the University, its students, faculty, staff, and the State of Alabama. Most often you will find that all of these interests coincide.
None of us can provide the leadership and direction that this great University needs and deserves individually, nor through the press or other media. None of us can be individually correct in each opinion, judgment, or position that we take. The design of the governance of this fine University calls for the collective wisdom of a Board of Trustees and it is expected that each member of the Board bring their own judgment, education, experiences, and opinions to the other members of the Board so that collective judgment and wisdom will be reasonable, responsible, and effective as possible. It is time now to move Alabama A&M University forward and upward. Please do everything within your power to make the Board of Trustees an effective and functioning Board to bring the leadership and governance to the University that it deserves and that the students, faculty, staff, and general public expect.
I personally thank each of you for your time and effort to serve as Trustees. I look forward to all of us working together for the betterment and advancement of this great institution.
-Gov. Bob Riley
