Bill would streamline Auburn University trustee process - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

The Alabama Senate passed a constitutional amendment Thursday that, if approved by Alabama voters, will revise the makeup of Auburn University's board of trustees. The measure, Senate Bill 366, passed without opposition.

The plan to revise how Auburn's BOT works would come about by updating district lines that are currently based on nine Congressional Districts. Those districts were drawn almost a half-century ago.

Bill sponsor Tom Whatley (R-Auburn) says the new legislation would move the selection process to seven predefined districts that consist of groupings of whole counties, based on Congressional Districts drawn by the Legislature in 2010. The bill also call for increasing the number of at-large positions on the board from three to five.  

Whatley's bill would also stagger trustees' terms, meaning  no more than two or three positions on the board would become vacant in the same year. A situation that could have potentially threatened Auburn's accreditation developed this year when nine trustees positions came up for appointment at once. Whatley says his idea will alleviate that problem.

"The Auburn Family recently selected several highly-qualified nominees to serve on the University's board of trustees," Whatley said, adding that his bill and the proposed structure it would create will not interfere with ongoing nominations. "Our goal is to ensure consistency and stability on the board and by bringing district lines up to date and staggering trustee terms, we are doing just that." 

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) commended Senator Whatley for working to do what's best for Auburn University.  

"Our first priority is to make sure the most qualified individuals have the opportunity to serve on Auburn University's Board of Trustees," Marsh said. "Senator Whatley's bill allows the people of Alabama to vote on a plan that streamlines the selection process, guarantees constant rotation of board members and creates two additional at-large seats so anyone can serve on the board, based on their qualifications, regardless of where they live." 

SB366 passed the Senate 29-0 and was referred to the House Ways and Means Education Committee.