Second Open Letter to the Board of Trustees, Paine College, Augusta, Georgia
August 6, 2014
As perhaps you know, or should know, the continuing viability of Paine College ultimately depends upon you. Its academic standing and relevance, fiscal soundness and accountability, and future depend upon you.
Georgia law governing Trustee Boards is quite clear about duty. You have mandated duties of care, loyalty, and obedience. More specifically, board members are mandated to actively participate in planning and decision-making and to make sound and informed judgements. When acting on behalf of the College, board members must put the interests of the college before any personal or professional concerns and avoid potential conflicts of interests. Members must also ensure that the College complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and, that it remains committed to its established mission.
The most important measure of the viability of Paine College is fiscal soundness and accreditation, not the state of buildings and grounds. Accordingly, the facts are present and the failure of the Bradley administration is definitive. An immediate consequence is a drastic decline in fall recruitment. Now, the question is what will the Board do about it. Outcome of the latest meeting suggests nothing.
You should know that efforts are under way to legally pierce your veil of secrecy and to ascertain whether or not you have been faithful to your mandated duties. Be advised that a legal assault will subject the Board and the Bradley administration to a high degree of transparent scrutiny. Until the proper time, the formation and actions of this emerging concerned group will shroud itself with the same degree of secrecy the Board has maintained.
Grady L. Cornish, PhD, 1969 Graduate
The Paine Project 
Thanks for sharing this.
At the Town Hall Meeting that was highly controlled and rehearsed, Dr. Bradley was asked what was his plan to get Paine College out of the current SACS probation status. His response was referencing the Five Year Strategic Plan, or in essence, there has been no definitive plan developed with timelines and benchmarks devised by the Paine College leadership structure to address the SACS probation status. His only strategy is to find and pay individuals with SACS connections that will lobby on behalf of Paine College. Where is the Board and why are they not asking for a specific plan to navigate Paine College out of this severe accreditation threat? It is so unfortunate that the Board is not making Dr. Bradley accountable for the financial and academic crisis that Paine is currently experiencing. The Board has been cited by SACS in their findings, and they have made no changes to their practices and governance to address these findings. This leadership culture of ignorance, inaction and incompetence will inevitably lead to Paine College closing its doors. It is good to hear that the Board will be made accountable for allowing Dr. Bradley over these past six years that will soon be seven years the license to destroy Paine College’s legacy and very existence.