Tagged: Alabama State University

Alabama State University trustees say they won't decide the fate of the school's suspended president because his mother died.

Joseph Silver's mother died Thursday night. Trustees had planned to discuss Silver at their Friday morning meeting.

Silver contends he was suspended after raising questions about financial matters at the Montgomery school, including concerns about undisclosed contracts. Silver tried to fire two top university officials.

ASU officials have denied any financial wrongdoing at the school.

A lawyer for Alabama State University says suspended President Joseph Silver sent letters by email telling two top administrators they were being fired.

Attorney Kenneth Thomas said the emails were sent Monday to executive vice president John Knight and communications director Danielle Kennedy during a meeting where a committee of the board of trustees placed Silver on paid administrative leave.

Thomas said the emails were sent at 5:37 p.m. and 5:38 p.m. Monday. Silver has said he fired Knight and Kennedy.

Suspended Alabama State University President Joseph Silver said he did not receive cooperation from top university officials concerning the school's finances.

An executive committee of the board placed Silver on paid administrative leave Monday after Silver tried to fire executive vice president John Knight. Knight is a state representative from Montgomery.

Silver said in a written statement Wednesday that while reviewing the university's financial information, he had questions and no one would give him answers or provide requested documentation.

The Alabama State University Board of Trustees voted Monday to place the school's new president on paid administrative leave.

The Montgomery Advertiser reports the panel recommended that Joseph Silver be placed on leave immediately. The circumstances that led to their decision were not immediately clear.

The full board will meet Thursday at 1 p.m. to consider the recommendation while Silver is on leave.

The U.S. Department of Education is awarding millions in grants to historically black colleges in Alabama.

The five-year grants will affect curriculum and teaching programs, campus building improvements and the purchase of scientific equipment.