More changes at the top at TSU?

(3/15/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- It looks like the troubles at Texas Southern University are not going away anytime soon. We expected to hear about big changes for TSU Thursday, but the governor's blue ribbon panel apparently needs more time.

With past President Priscilla Slade indicted and gone, more changes could be on the way at the top of TSU. We can exclusively report that the head of board of regents could soon be asked to leave. Belinda Griffin is the recently elected chairwoman of the TSU board of regents. She is a Governor Perry appointee and was on the board as TSU got into its most recent financial troubles.

Ironically, she is the person who first reported improper spending at Priscilla Slade's home and now could be forced out herself.

The recommendation with or without her name is likely to be included in the governor's blue ribbon panel report next week. In addition, one regent already resigned -- Houston lawyer Harry Johnson. Others could go, too.

The school administration will make some changes on its own to both cut the budget and tighten the rules. Among them -- getting back hundreds of thousands of dollars owed to the school by university employees.

The two big threats - appointing an outsider to run TSU's finances and removing TSU's independence by putting it under another Texas university are not being considered. There are far more specific recommendations that will directly affect students on campus. We are working on pinning those down right now and should have details soon.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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