MONTGOMERY, Ala. ― A former Alabama State University trustee says he believes a contract signed by school President Gwendolyn Boyd violates the school’s anti-nepotism policy.
Former ASU trustee Donald Watkins told The Montgomery Advertiser that Dr. Terri Hackett, a friend of Boyd’s, received a $5,000-per-month contract position despite a hiring freeze at the university.
“I’m asking about this because the president’s signature is on the contract, the contract was executed during a hiring freeze, the duties described are nebulous,” Watkins told the newspaper. “There also don’t seem to be any deliverables associated with the contract and both she and Boyd came here from Baltimore. I believe it’s a violation of the university’s nepotism policy.”
Boyd told the newspaper the contract went to her “sorority sister,” who is working closely with the student body to get their opinions about ASU and its services. Boyd described the work as a critical and independent assessment of student affairs.
Alabama State has been in turmoil since 2012, when Joseph Silver resigned as president after questioning the school’s financial practices.
Some longtime campus leaders now oppose Boyd, but other groups including the university’s national alumni association have rallied to her defense.
