Sims: Democratic committee members betrayed by fellow senator

ALBANY — It’s been a couple of weeks now since the 2019 Legislative session ended, and state Sen. Freddie Powell Sims is still fuming.

Sims and other Democratic state legislators were part of a study committee last summer that looked into the financial issues that confront the state’s historically black colleges and universities: Albany State, Fort Valley State and Savannah State universities. The committee put together its findings for use in a resolution, a legislative tool used to urge action.

But on the Friday night that marked the 39th — and next-to-last — day of the session, Sims got a call from Albany State University President Marion Fedrick.

“President Fedrick said, ‘What is this bill about?’” Sims said Tuesday, her anger at the memory apparent. “I told her that the study committee had put together a resolution, but President Fedrick said, ‘No, Senator Sims, this is a bill.’”

That bill turned out to be Senate Bill 273, a measure that calls for the creation of a Georgia Agricultural and Mechanical University System that would, in essence, make Albany State, Fort Valley and Savannah State separate entities from the University System of Georgia. The newly named colleges (Albany A&M, Fort Valley A&M and Savannah A&M) would be governed by a 19-member board comprising 11 members appointed by the governor, one member each appointed by the presiding officer of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, and two members each appointed by the board of trustees of each institution.

“When I saw that there was indeed a bill, not a resolution, I was incensed,” Sims said. “Every person on the study committee went to an HBCU, and we could not believe (Savannah state Sen.) Lester Jackson went behind our backs and did this. There’s no way any of us would have signed onto this bill without discussing it, but he put our names on the bill.”

Jackson had planned a news conference on the final day of the session, but on the day before (a Monday) all the other members of the study committee whose names were on the bill withdrew their names. Nonplussed, Jackson rewrote the bill without the study committee’s supposed co-signers, changed the name of the bill to Senate Bill 278, and presented the proposal for consideration.

“Lester and I have been friends for years; we’re suitemates at the Capitol,” Sims said. “For him to betray the trust I and others on the committee had with him is just unspeakable. I’m still having to struggle to manage the anger I feel.”

With that anger still white-hot, Sims said she gladly signed on to speak at a town hall meeting hosted by Ward I Albany City Commissioner Jon Howard and other ASU supporters like Helen Young. That gathering is planned Thursday at 6 p.m. at the downtown Law Enforcement Center at 201 W. Oglethorpe Blvd.

“We really think it’s important to hear the pros and cons, and Sen. Sims is the ideal person to talk with students, alumni and supporters about this proposed bill,” Young said. “Since she is aware of the background and the process, she certainly would do well to speak with her constituents about any advantages or disadvantages of this bill.”

Howard said he is concerned that some in the Legislature are trying to take over the state’s HBCUs.

“When you have 11 board members of 19 appointed by the governor, you can see how that could turn political,” the City Commissioner said. “And it’s my understanding that for this bill to be approved, it would have to be voted on by the citizens of Georgia, but even if the citizens reject it the governor would have the power to carry on with it anyway.

“It’s true that our HBCUs — not just in Georgia, but across the nation — are struggling financially and to attract students. But this does not seem to be a solution that would be in the best interest of these institutions that have longstanding traditions with their alumni. That’s why I think it’s important that current students, alumni and supporters come to this meeting.”

Sims said there is no action currently planned by members of the Senate in light of the proposed bill. But she said it’s important that supporters and alumni hear what led to its existence.

“The people deserve to hear how this happened,” she said.

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