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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The chairman of the board of trustees at Alabama State University, Elton Dean, resigned by the Thursday deadline set by the governor, but Vice Chairman Marvin Wiggins refused.
"I am not resigning because I have not done anything wrong," Wiggins said.
Gov. Robert Bentley, who is president of the ASU board, had called for Dean and vice chairman Marvin Wiggins to resign by 5 p.m. Thursday. He sent letters to them after an accrediting agency gave the university a warning. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools cited relatives of the two trustees doing work for the university and the university's declining financial picture. That included the university getting its bond rating downgraded.
The governor will have no comment until he receives Dean's resignation letter, his communications director, Jennifer Ardis, said.
Dean and Wiggins announced their decisions live on the campus radio station, WVAS.
Dean said he had always worked to transform the Montgomery university into a world-class institution, but it was best for him and his family if he concentrates on his position on the Montgomery County Commission.
"It is a sad but happy day for me and my family. I will continue to support Alabama State University," Dean said.
Wiggins, a circuit judge for several west Alabama counties, said there is a crisis around Alabama State and he wants to stay on the board to help resolve it.
Both Dean and Wiggins said they had nothing to do with relatives getting work from the university.
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