1. (1) Distribution procedures like round-distribution schedules are based on the following interpretation of the law: that every university is given the opportunity to receive at least one grant before another university receives more than one.
2. (2) ACHE will serve a public notice to all authorized universities 30 calendar days before the beginning of the fourth quarter, which will list the current session schedules that will be included in this year's round-distribution schedule. This public notice will also state the following reminder: Any university that would like to participate in this year's round-distribution schedule must send in their qualifying documentation before the cut-off date, two weeks before the beginning of the fourth quarter.
3. (3) There will be two distributions per year when and if the yearly appropriation to the Eminent Scholars Program (i.e. Alabama Trust Fund for Eminent Scholars) is $5 million or more. Mid-January and mid-July are recommended times for distributions.
4. (4) ACHE will serve another public notice to all authorized universities after the cut-off date, which will list the updated session schedules that will be included in this year's round-distribution schedule.
5. (5) ACHE will distribute the grants to those on the round-distribution schedule during the fourth quarter on a date that is determined yearly by ACHE in the best interest of the program and its participants.
6. (6) Since the dollars allocated to the Alabama Endowment Trust Fund for Eminent Scholars accrue interest income, it is possible that there will be funds, under $400,000, remaining after the distribution of grants. These funds remain in the Endowment Trust Fund accruing interest income. If the legislature does not allocate additional funds to the Eminent Scholars program, then when funds accrue interest income reaching the amount of $400,000, a grant will be distributed at that time.

7. (6) If there are universities on a session schedule that were not awarded a grant on the current round-distribution schedule, then all universities retain their order on the session schedule. The session schedule is open again for requests of any authorized university that is not already on the session schedule and those universities that received grants will not be eligible to receive grants on the same session schedule.

   For example: The hypothetical Session Schedule II 1989 will be open in the following fiscal year to the seven remaining universities so that every university is given the opportunity to receive at least one grant before another university receives more than one. The first three universities on the hypothetical Session Schedule II 1989 will remain on the list in bold lettering as a reminder that those universities have already received one grant.

   Round-Distribution

   Schedule Session Schedule I 1989
   1. Auburn University; October 5, 1988; 3:00
   2. Troy State University; October 10, 1988; 2:00 p.m.
   3. The University of Alabama; October 30, 1988; 1:00 p.m.
   4. Livingston University; January 15, 1989; 1:00 p.m.
   5. Jacksonville State University; February 10, 1989; 8:00 a.m.
   6. University of Montevallo; March 3, 1989; 9:00 a.m.
   7. Alabama State University; March 18, 1989; 5:00 p.m.
   8. University of South Alabama; April 20, 1989; 2:00 p.m.

   Session Schedule II
   1. The University of Alabama; October 30, 1988; 1:00 p.m.
   2. Auburn University; April 20, 1989; 9:00 a.m.
   3. Troy State University; May 12, 1989; 10:00 a.m.
   4. University of South Alabama; April 20, 1989; 2:00 p.m.
   5. Alabama State University; April 25, 1989; 1:00 p.m.

   Session Schedule III 1989
   1. The University of Alabama; October 30, 1988; 1:00 p.m.
   2. Auburn University; April 20, 1989; 9:00 a.m.
   3. University of South Alabama; April 20, 1989; 2:00 p.m.

Author: Kay Ivey

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 16-61-1, et seq.

History: Filed October 13, 1988.