UWA alumni president files complaint with SACS against board of trustees

University of West Alabama National Alumni President Emeritus Mike Holliman Friday filed a formal complaint with the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission alleging the University’s Board of Trustees has violated accreditation requirements. The Commission, also known as SACS, is the “regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting institutions in the Southern states.”

“Actions taken by members of the UWA Board of Trustees that interfere with day-to-day operations of the university are raised and documented in the complaint,” a press release from the UWA National Alumni Association reads. “These actions include attempts to control personnel decisions, including hiring and termination. Allegations also include violations of rules prohibiting financial relationships between Board members.”

“For all of us in the UWA family, this call for an investigation of the Board is a bitter pill to swallow,” said Holliman. “But sometimes a bitter pill is the only medicine that will allow you to get healthy again. The Board has to be stopped before their damage to the University is permanent. I have already revealed the Board’s plans to fire University President Richard Holland on Monday because he will not go along with their demands. The problem the troublemakers have with Dr. Holland is he keeps his word and he plays by the rules–not the type of man you can afford to have around when you are breaking the rules. The Board leadership has repeatedly demanded certain people be hired and specific employees be fired. The University hires people based on merit and terminates based on performance. The Board leadership has conducted their campaign of interference through the use of fear and intimidation. At one committee meeting, a Board member vocally attacked a University administrator and made an obscene gesture. The other Board members present, including the current chairman, did nothing in response. I am now concerned the Board may resort to trying to cover up their tracks. Only day after I raised the allegation of financial conflict, one Board member who was employed by another member has resigned from the Board. Filing this complaint has become imperative in order to seek intervention from authorities who can stop the Board’s ongoing interference before it gets worse.”