Robert Aderholt Statement
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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 .