James M. Bessette, director of public relations for the University of Montevallo, said in an email:
"Members of the University of Montevallo Board of Trustees are appointed by the governor of Alabama, with the advice and consent of the state Senate, for staggered terms of 12 years. The governor serves in an ex officio capacity, as does the state superintendent of education. There are 11 other members of the Board: one from each congressional district and such other number from the state‐at‐large so as to bring the total to 11. Their role is one of service, which is the case with many institutional boards. The University does not compensate them for their service. They are entitled to receive reimbursement, at their request, for their travel expenses to and from meetings scheduled for official board business. Each trustee signs a Statement of Commitment and Responsibilities of the Trustees of the University of Montevallo, which includes policy regarding conflict of interest issues."
"In 2008, 2009, and 2010, we submitted literature to the federal committee on appropriations requesting grants in varying amounts for a variety of projects for fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011. A small number of the requests that were made received funding, and all were at a rate far below the amounts requested. It is customary for legislators to take an interest in the requests made by entities within their own states, as we expect was the case with Representative Aderholt. To our knowledge, Mrs. Aderholt, in compliance with the Statement of Commitment, held no undue influence in Representative Aderholt’s decision to choose the University of Montevallo as one of many higher‐education institutions in Alabama that received his support."
"University Administration prepares requests for grants or federal appropriations. This is not reviewed or approved by the Board of Trustees. When grants or federal funds are appropriated to UM, grant documents are reviewed by University administration and acceptance is signified by signature of the University President or Vice President for Business Affairs/Treasurer who hold the only signature authority for the University of Montevallo. After awards are accepted, this may be communicated for informational purposes to the Board of Trustees (particularly to the Audit & Finance Committee as part of construction project updates or financial audit reports are given). The Board does not actively determine the application, acceptance or use of these funds. If matching is required for a federal grant, it is budgeted by UM administration. The Budget is reviewed by the A&F committee (Aderholt is not a member). The budget is recommended by this Committee to the full board. The Board votes on the budget at a summary level. They would not even be able to identify at that level that matching funds are held in unrestricted dollars. A&F members may know this from their detailed review."
"The University does not believe that this presents a potential conflict of interest. The University Administration is responsible for identifying University needs. These needs are presented to a number of parties for potential funding sources including Private donors, Federal delegations, State delegations, and potential granting agencies, including corporations, private foundations, public foundations and official agencies of various governmental levels. This information may be shared with Trustees for information in terms of how the University is operating and how we are seeking to meet needs in light of reduced state funding. However, the board does not take any action on these items. In addition there are multiple checks and balances in place to address both actual and potential conflicts of interest.
Rep. Aderholt's office provided a statement for the congressman:
“I have a long history of supporting higher education, including community colleges and four year colleges and universities, in the state of Alabama."
His office provided a list of earmarks for all education institutions from FY08‐FY10, including Montevallo.
Description Amount
2008 Fiscal Year $984,000
University of North Alabama
University of North Alabama Green Campus Initiative (AL)
AL
$341,000
Northwest Shoals Community College
Northwest Shoals Community College, Phil Campbell, AL for technology upgrades
Phil Campbell, AL
$341,000
Gadsden State Community College
Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, AL for technology upgrades
Gadsen, AL
$292,000
City of Gadsden, AL
City of Gadsden, AL for technology upgrades in city schools
Gadsden, AL
$195,000
Arab City Schools, Arab, AL for technology upgrades
Arab, AL
$195,000
University of Montevallo
University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL for the Teacher Leadership Initiative for School Improvement
Montevallo, AL
$175,000
Wallace State Community College
Wallace State Community College for an integrated manufacturing center
Hanceville, AL
$97,000
University of Alabama
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL for a telehealth initiative
Tuscaloosa, AL
2009 Fiscal Year
Auburn University $1,700,000.00
Auburn University Canine Detection Development and $1,000,000 Training for Local Law Enforcement
Auburn, AL
Auburn University $951,500
Auburn University for novel polymeric material research
Auburn, AL
$700,000
University of North Alabama Green Campus Initiative (AL)
AL
University of Alabama/Bham $300,000
The University of Alabama at Birmingham for nanotechnology research
Birmingham, AL
$238,000
Bevill State Community College for a business incubator
AL
$200,000
Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL for a career training initiative
Sumiton, AL
$200,000
Jacksonville State University in Alabama for remote campus and distance learning programs for small business
Jacksonville, AL
George C Wallace State Community College $190,000
George C. Wallace State Community College ‐ Hanceville Campus Safety Technologies
Hanceville, AL
$95,000
University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL for technology upgrades
Montevallo, AL
$95,000
Jacksonville State University Canyon Center, Jacksonville, AL for a science initiative, including curriculum development
Jacksonville, AL
$95,000
George C. Wallace State Community College ‐ Hanceville, Hanceville, AL for technology upgrades
Hanceville, AL
$935,000
Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, AL for technology upgrades
Gadsden, AL
2010 Fiscal Year
Franklin County Schools, Russellville, AL for an education $900,000 technology initiative, including purchase of equipment
Russellville, AL $500,000
Auburn University
Auburn University Canine Program
Auburn, AL $500,000
University of Alabama/Birmingham
Model State Partnership for Cybercrime and Security
Birmingham, AL $350,000
University of Alabama/Huntsville
Virtual Environment Simulation Laboratory
Huntsville, AL $335,000
University of Alabama
Miniature Antennas for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Tuscaloosa, AL $300,000
Northeast Alabama Community College
Northeast Alabama Community College, Rainsville, AL for industrial systems technology and machining training
Rainsville, AL
University of Alabama $200,000.00
Domestic Violence Law Clinic
Tuscaloosa, AL
University of North Alabama Green Campus Initiative $150,000.00
AL
University of Montevallo $150,000
Historic Montevallo Main Hall Renovation
Montevallo, AL
Cullman County Schools, Cullman, AL for a mobile $150,000.00 laboratory initiative, including purchase of equipment
Cullman, AL
Alabama Institute for the Deaf & Blind $150,000
Overcoming Communication Barriers for AIDB At‐Risk Youth
Talladega, AL
$100,000.00
Arab City School District, Arab, AL for an education technology initiative, including purchase of equipment
Arab, AL
Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, AL for $75,000.00 technology upgrades
Gadsden, AL
Gadsden State Community College Green Operations Plan $75,000.00