Governor supports decision for UGA to end relationship with fund-raising group

<p>Gov. Sonny Perdue said Wednesday that he supports the state Board of Regents' decision to terminate the University of Georgia's relationship with the fund-raising group that oversees the school's private contributions and academic scholarships.</p><p>"I believe this was a responsible action aimed at preserving the academic integrity of our flagship university as well as the University system as a whole. It is evident to me that the Regents felt that they had exhausted all other means of reconciling a situation that had become untenable," he said in a statement.</p><p>On Tuesday, University President Michael Adams notified the UGA Foundation that the school was severing ties with the not-for-profit cooperation that manages the endowment that supports UGA's academic programs, raises funds and handles assets of nearly $400 million for the benefit of the university system's flagship school.</p><p>"I regret that such action has become necessary," Adams wrote in a letter to foundation chairwoman Lynda Courts.</p><p>The action came after more than a year of friction between the foundation and Adams after Adams decided not to extend athletic director Vince Dooley's contract.</p><p>After the foundation issued an audit last October that found wrongdoing with the foundation and Adams and an unsuccessful attempt by some members to take a "no confidence" vote for Adams, the regents, who oversee the state's 34 public colleges and universities, supported Adams. The foundation also considered cutting the amount it contributes to Adams' salary.</p><p>The regents asked the university to seek a replacement cooperative organization. The foundation, which was meeting in Sea Island Wednesday for a previously planned three-day retreat, could disband after 90 days notice.</p><p>"Georgia has a history of strong educational foundations whose members have made profound contributions to higher education in the state. These foundations serve a useful purpose, but that usefulness has its roots in a cooperative spirit between them and our University system as a whole," said Perdue, a UGA graduate.</p><p>Sen. Zell Miller, a former Georgia governor who graduated and taught at UGA, said he also agreed with the Regents' decision to break UGA's ties with the foundation, which had some members openly criticizing Adams.</p><p>"They are right. It has gone on too long and needed to be brought to a conclusion," he said. "The future of the University of Georgia is more important than any individual or group of individuals and I believe that the Board of Regents has taken the right position."</p><p>___</p><p>AP Political Writer Dick Pettys in Atlanta contributed to this report.</p>

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