Section 16-47A-3
Programs, facilities, and services; mission and objectives of the university.
(a) Athens State University shall provide, maintain, and operate public higher education programs and facilities dedicated to the preparation of students. The university shall provide educational services for the greater community including advanced education for mature students, private citizens, and service men and women, in a manner that does not violate or cause a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or the United States Constitution. The university shall provide an academic, cultural, and social environment that fosters individuality and develops productive members of society. The mission of the university shall be accomplished by providing services to students and the greater community through the utilization of university staff and facilities and through superior teaching, scholarship, creative activities, and public service.
(b) The overriding mission of the university, unique in Alabama higher education, is to be a university serving the upper division needs of transfer students.
(c) The university may provide onsite academic instruction on the campuses of those community colleges where the senior institution in whose service area or areas the community college is located is unable or unwilling to provide the onsite instruction.
(d) Resulting from and inherent in the mission of the university are a number of ongoing goals that the board, from time to time, may affirm on the basis of recommendations of the president of the university; however, the mission of the university, unique in Alabama higher education, shall remain limited to serving the upper division needs of transfer students. The university shall only offer strategic graduate programs approved by Alabama Commission on Higher Education with the intent to avoid duplication of programs by other state universities and colleges.
(e) The annual objectives of the university, as determined by the president of the university, shall be consistent with the ongoing goals and mission of the university.
(Act 2012-497, p. 1460, §4.)