Alabama State University students were among the hundreds of college students outside of the Alabama State House protesting the 2014-2015 education budget. In a 21-10 vote, the Alabama Senate approved the Education Trust Fund budget that included a $10.8 million dollar cut to ASU’s budget, about a fourth of their state funding. The decision was based off of the forensic audit last year that made claims of financial fraud and waste resulting in the university receiving a lower credit score and possible grounds for losing accreditation. According to the Montgomery Advisor, the financial cut from ASU included a $10 million dollar conditional funding grant that could be released by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley. Bentley said he does not support the funding cut.

After weeks of speculation about his whereabouts and the possibility of being replacment, Winston-Salem State University’s athletic director Bill Hayes has announced his retirement after serving in his position for three years. Under his leadership, WSSU Rams have won 14 conference titles including CIAA and MEAC championships. Previously, he was the head football coach at North Carolina A&T, where he coached for 15 seasons. According to News & Record, Hayes finished his tenure with more victories than any other football head coach in North Carolina’s history.

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Grambling State University, Southern University, Mississippi Valley State University and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff are now all allowed to compete in the 2014 SWAC Basketball Tournament after the Southwestern Athletic Conference made amends to it’s postseason eligibility policy. The previous policy did not allow schools who were banned from the NCAA national tournaments due to violations of academic progress rate standards to compete in any SWAC season-ending tournaments or championship games. “It is the conference’s goal to ensure that each student-athlete has equal opportunity for academic and athletic success,” said Sharp. “The Conference and Council of Presidents acknowledge the financial strain that affects our member institutions in meeting APR requirements. With the approval of the amended policy, the SWAC not only can provide a quality athletic experience, but optimistically provide the means for academic advancements,” added Commissioner Sharp. SWAC.

In a recent audit, Florida A&M University was found of three findings, compared to the 24 findings received a year ago that resulted in accreditation probation from the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges. One of the findings included deficits in FAMU’s athletic department, which the university has been working with a consultant to decrease its $7 million dollar deficit for the past two years via Tallahassee.com.

Four new degree programs have been added to the roster, and approved by the state College Board, at Jackson State University. The programs that were improved included doctorate programs in engineering  and bachelor of science programs in engineering and in statistics via Miami Herald.

Simmons College of Kentucky has earned national accreditation from the Association of Biblical Higher Education, which will begin this fall. The accreditation will allow the college to receive government funding designated for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a new status, the college hopes to expand its intake of students via Courier-Journal.

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