|
(Auburn) - In a Friday morning meeting, the Auburn University Board of Trustees voted "no position" on Saturday's Auburn vs. Alabama football game.
A resolution to "pull for Auburn", offered by Trustee Dwight Carlisle, was defeated on a 7-5 vote, with 2 abstentions.
The resolution, had it beed adopted, would have officially put the Trustees on record as being for the Auburn Tigers in the 69th edition of the Iron Bowl.
Trustees voting in favor of the Carlisle resolution were: Carlisle, Charles Ball, Charles McCrary, Sarah Newton and Virginia Thompson.
Trustees voting against the resolution were: John Blackwell, Byron Franklin, Robert Lowder, Golda McDaniel, Earlon McWhorter, James Rane and Paul Spina.
Trustee Jack Miller abstained, citing a conflict of interest due to the fact that he is a graduate of the University of Alabama.
Ex-Officio Trustee, Governor Bob Riley, also abstained, citing a lack of sufficient data, and proposed instead that a Blue Ribbon Task Force be appointed to study the issue.
In a prepared statement, Auburn President Ed Richardson stated that such a resolution could be construed as violating Trustee involvement in athletic affairs. "Everyone knows that we certainly support Tommy and his kids one hundred percent", Richardson said. "However, as part of our ongoing effort to comply with the overall investigation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, we feel that an official statement of support would display Trustee prejudice."
In other Trustee action, the Board voted 9-5 to extend its contract with CSC, to continue to provide security at Auburn home football games. President Richardson cited CSC's "remarkable record of counter-terrorism measures" and particularly was impressed with the presence of police dogs and fire hoses on hand for last week's Auburn-Georgia game. "Order was preserved in the stadium last Saturday, and I believe the would-be terrorists in the South End Zone knew we meant business", Richardson said.
The Board will next meet on Friday, December 3rd, in order to consider whether or not additional compensation is warranted for Auburn's football assistant coaches. "I am satisfied that some improvement has been made", said Richardson. "However, Tommy still has a way to go in order to achieve the goals I set for him in July. Whether or not raises are granted will in no way detract from our full support of Tommy and his staff", he stated.
####
|
