In a meeting closed to cameras Tuesday, members of Bethune-Cookman University alumni and the community got to ask new acting president Hubert Grimes some tough questions.
- Meeting between Bethune-Cookman University, new acting president
- Hubert Grimes answered questions about school finances
"I believe this was an opportunity to be able to start to tell the truth, tell the story, give the other side of the story," Grimes said.
For two hours there were questions about finances which have been looming since former president Edison Jackson abruptly retired.
That included debt for a more than $70 million dorm project, and documents that show the university suffered terrible losses for more than $18 million in 2016.
Grimes says the university is now working on efforts to refinance and to hire a forensic examiner to audit their books. Changes to high positions could also come.
Dr Mary McLeod Bethune's granddaughter Evelyn believes they're now on the right path.
"We are of course looking for action and seeing some things taking place," Bethune said. "So we will be watching and making sure, and we hope to continue these dialogues."
"Hopefully we'll be able to give some good results," said Grimes. "Because I've got a feeling that Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune is looking down from heaven on us and is expecting us to take care of her jewel."
The interim president says the university is in good standing with its 2017 budget, sitting at $17 million. That will help them break even.