SB197 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Bill Holtzclaw

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Athens State University, president included on Council of Presidents, university is 4-year institution for purposes of tuition and distance learning, code commissioner authorized to insert appropriate language regarding university in code, Secs. 16-5-5, 16-64-4, 16-64-5 am'd.

Summary

SB197 would add Athens State University's president to the Council of Presidents, shift appointment authority to the Chancellor, and align Athens State's tuition and distance-learning policies with other state institutions, with code updates to reflect its reconstituted status.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds the Athens State University president to the Council of Presidents and changes who appoints council members from the State Superintendent of Education to the Chancellor of Postsecondary Education. It also ensures Athens State University is treated the same as other state higher education institutions when setting tuition and distance-learning rates. Finally, it authorizes the Code Commissioner to update state code terminology to reflect Athens State University's reconstituted status under its own board of trustees.

Who It Affects

• Athens State University and its leadership (the university president gains membership on the Council of Presidents; tuition and distance-learning rate decisions apply the same rules as other state institutions; terminology in the code will be updated to reflect its reconstituted status).
• State-level higher education governance (appointment of Council of Presidents shifts from the State Superintendent of Education to the Chancellor of Postsecondary Education; related code terminology changes are required).

Key Provisions

• Adds the President of Athens State University as a member of the Council of Presidents.
• Replaces the State Superintendent of Education with the Chancellor of Postsecondary Education as the appointing authority for Council of Presidents members.
• Requires Athens State University to be treated the same as other public higher education institutions for setting tuition and distance learning rates.
• Authorizes the Code Commissioner to update code terminology to reflect Athens State University's reconstituted status.
• Amends Sections 16-5-5, 16-64-4, and 16-64-5 to implement these changes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Athens State University