Lincoln University of Missouri has temporarily severed its relationship with the alumni association due to “ongoing concerns about the association’s financial management and operations.”
The Lincoln University Board of Curators sent a letter to the President of the Lincoln University National Alumni Association (LUAA), Sherman Bonds, on Monday, detailing the suspension.
“During the last three years, we have made efforts to engage the LUAA constructively in the interest of 1) developing a more productive relationship that best serves LU’s students and alumni, 2) ensuring the role and purpose of the LUAA aligns with the honorable mission of LU and our founders to educate the underserved African-American community, and 3) entering into a memorandum of understanding to memorialize the relationship between the LUAA and LU,” the letter states. “Unfortunately, our efforts have been unsuccessful.”
The LUAA has been instructed to undergo an independent audit for its two most recent fiscal years by September 1 and to reach a memorandum of understanding (MOU) by December 1. Additionally, the LUAA must establish an independent mailing address by July 1 for its business and create an independent financial management system that allows it to receive payments and donations online.
The MOU must include a section that states neither the LUAA nor its members may “publicly disparage the university or its representatives effective immediately,” according to the letter. Noncompliance with the university’s expectations will result in LUAA’s “immediate failure to be reinstated as an affiliated constituent group of the university.”
LU said the suspension does not affect individual alumni chapters. The Board of Curators said it will work with the administration to create an Alumni Council, which will consist of representatives from the individual chapters as well as alumni currently not in any chapter, “ensuring (its) dialogue with alumni is both broadened and strengthened.”
The suspension comes five months after former LU administrator Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey accused LU President John Moseley of bullying and harassment. Days before she died by suicide, Candia-Bailey wrote a 12-page letter to Moseley, alumni, and faculty, detailing the severe bullying and mistreatment she received. Moseley was voluntarily placed on paid administrative leave, and protests led by students ensued, calling for Moseley’s removal.
This past March, a third-party investigation found no evidence of bullying or harassment.
The LUAA’s Board of Directors issued a no-confidence statement days later regarding the investigation and the Board of Curators’ “ability to bring forward an effective leader who can bring healing to this institution of higher education.”
A representative from the LUAA told HBCU Buzz that a response will be issued soon.
*This story is developing and we will keep you updated as more information becomes available.