Governor Plans to Vote to Keep Alabama State President

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley says he will vote to retain Joseph Silver as president of Alabama State University unless he hears a legitimate reason why Silver should be fired.

Bentley serves as president of the Alabama state Board of Trustees by virtue of his position as governor.

The trustees have scheduled a meeting for 2:30 p.m. Friday and are expected to take a vote on whether to fire Silver two months after he was hired. The president was suspended shortly after he attempted to fire two top administrators.

The governor told reporters at the Capitol Thursday that he had not heard any reason to fire Silver. He said he could change his mind if he hears new details. Bentley says he has met with Silver and likes him.