Huntley nominated again for AU board
Published 2:59 pm Friday, June 10, 2011
After a normal board of trustees selection process turned controversial, Elizabeth “Liz” Huntley of Clanton has been re-submitted for appointment to the Auburn University Board of Trustees.
Huntley, an attorney, was appointed to fill one of nine seats as one of the university’s trustees as announced in April by Gov. Robert Bentley. But things took a turn after a lawsuit was filed by Andy Hornsby, a former president of Auburn University’s National Alumni Association, and AU trustee Bobby Lowder asked not to be considered for another term on the university’s board.
Hornsby filed a suit in an attempt to undo the recent selection of nine trustees, including Lowder.
Hornsby filed the suit in Lee County Circuit Court against the governor and the other four members of the trustee selection committee. He said their meeting in April in Montgomery, where trustees were picked, did not follow the state’s open meetings law. He sought to have the actions taken in that meeting invalidated.
Senators must confirm trustees’ nominations for new terms. State Sen. President Pro Tem Del Marsh said he wouldn’t bring the names up for a vote because the nomination process was too rushed.
Shortly after, on May 18, Bentley withdrew the names of the nine individuals, including Huntley, recommended to serve on the board.
On May 27, Bentley announced that the Auburn University Trustee Selection Committee is reopening the nomination period for vacancies on the Auburn Board.
Bentley said nomination letters, resumes and any letters of support should be submitted by 4:45 p.m. on Friday, June 24, and that all nomination information should be submitted electronically.
Previously, Huntley was chosen out of 21 nominations for District 6. Despite the previous process issues, Huntley’s name has been re-submitted, and she will restart the process with the other nominees.
“I will go through the process again,” said Huntley. “And I’m hopeful for the same outcome.”
Huntley was nominated by State Sen. Priscilla Dunn.
The Auburn Board of Trustees currently has nine vacancies.
The committee plans to meet in August to select for interviews no more than three nominees for each available position. Interviews will conclude no later than Sept. 30.