ASU: 'Stay in your lane'

I have agonized over writing these words about my beloved alma mater. I sat idly by and read the many disappointing letters and negative press about the institution that we, the alumni, love and hold dear to our hearts.

Whoever said "There's no such thing as bad press" was wrong. The negative press that Alabama State University has received over the years, including the most recent issue surrounding the renaming of the Acadome, has been most unfortunate.

The truth is that both facts and biases were reflected in the reporting. Many details were not known, fully understood or sufficiently vetted in the stories that have filled these pages.

A few weeks back, trustee Joe Reed filed suit against his fellow board members because of an alleged violation of the state's constitution. He claimed that paying out the contract of President Joe Lee was unconstitutional, despite the board's apparent assessment that Lee could not do his job effectively, with him (Reed) leading the charge to release Lee no matter what the cost.

I read that the trustees were in mediation with Reed, and that one offer on the table was to put Reed's name back on the Acadome building. In the article Reed's own attorney identifies the naming of this building as one of the "biggest points" in the mediation process.

One might wonder what happened to Reed's argument over constitutional violations. Did that concern evaporate? Or is his name the central issue of the lawsuit?

The lawsuit and the mediation around it is embarrassing, time-consuming, frivolous and expensive. What if Reed were as concerned about the good of the university, its faculty, staff and students as his namesake building? Isn't it time that we focus on Alabama State University? When we come together bringing our gifts, our resources, our passion and our energy to task, great things can be accomplished.

Reed is an outstanding alumnus who has contributed much to Alabama State University. He has been in the spotlight for 40 years. Often, the spotlight has been favorable. Frequently, it has not.

Yet we certainly admire Reed for all the good he has done through the years in the political arena and at Alabama State. We truly frown on the negative things he continues to do all in the name of "his love" and a twisted wanting of "what's best" for the school.

With a cadre of lawyers at his disposal at all times as associate executive director of the Alabama Education Association, we remain aware that he can continue to sue the board and the university simply because he can.

One cannot help but notice that each and every individual who is drafted to join him in filing injunction after injunction, lawsuit after lawsuit, to stop an action made by the majority vote of the board of trustees is represented by the same group of lawyers. Talk about conflict of interest.

The Alabama State University National Alumni Association's sole purpose for existing is to promote and maintain a lifelong interactive relationship with the university, supporting our alma mater with our gifts, our service and our leadership. We, the alumni, are the leaders in advancing the quality and stature of Alabama State University.

We care that those who are now at the helm of our alma mater steer a course that continues to produce highly educated and motivated students. We care to let everyone know we are proud of our school and its rich heritage. We proudly defend our alma mater against all who would destroy her.

So as alumni leaders who care deeply for our alma mater, we say to the board of trustees that while we know there are certainly areas for improvement and more oversight, the NAA gives its full support to the board for the actions it has taken in handling the Acadome situation and the protection of the ASU name, including its handling of the publicity associated with those actions.

Furthermore, the NAA is encouraged by the professional approach taken by the board in this instance and in several others. We are confident that the university is in good hands. We encourage the trustees to continue this course of management and make the changes necessary to move ASU forward in a positive direction.

A few years back when we were seeking answers to critical questions, Reed told the National Alumni Association, "Everyone has a lane at the university, the board has a lane, the president has a lane, the alumni have a lane and everybody needs to stay in their lane."

As national alumni president, I implore first the board of trustees, faculty, staff, students, all ASU supporters, alumni and friends to work together, and as Reed reminds many folks, "stay in your lane" and let's move ASU forward.

Look around the campus of ASU. New and high-demand academic programs are driving building projects, some completed, some near completion and others just starting.

Even with setbacks, our university is positioned to take its rightful place at the height of academia in Alabama. But we must work together, stay in our lane and support ASU to ensure continued growth.

Here we stand today, strong and proud. Our change has come. Our time has come. It's time for us to honor, love, appreciate, recognize and remember whence we've come and determine the direction we shall go -- upward and onward. We love ASU. Long shall she live and prosper.

Brenda Kahn-Spells is president of the National Alumni Association of Alabama State University. Write her at P.O. Box 6312, Montgomery AL 36106.