A lawsuit filed by Alabama A&M University last year against the Alabama A&M Research Institute has been set for trial.

Madison County Circuit Court Judge Billy Bell has set a trial date of Dec. 3, according to court records. The trial will be a bench trial, which means there will be no jury and Bell will render a verdict.

The university filed the lawsuit in June 2011 because of a litany of issues with the research institute. Among the issues expressed in the lawsuit were concerns by Alabama A&M that actions by the research institute could jeopardize the school’s accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

In December, Alabama A&M announced it had been cleared of any issues by a SACS inquiry prompted by complaints from alumni.

The inquiry started with concern expressed over Alabama A&M’s relationship with the research institute and the school’s finances. As the inquiry progressed, the issues became more defined. read more…