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Bethune-Cookman University's board of trustees meets amid student protests

Bethune-Cookman University's board of trustees met Thursday, amid student protests, for a regularly scheduled meeting.
The school has been under fire for overspending and is now at risk of losing its accreditation, which could lower the value of its degrees.
Students lined up outside the meeting to ensure board members saw them. Many of them carried signs calling to save the university or saying "Hail Mary," in reference to the school's founder, Mary McLeod Bethune.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — READ: B-CU students continue fight for change

The students said Wednesday that they have been trying to get a meeting with board Chair Michelle Carter Scott, but they said she has ignored their requests.
Students who rallied on campus earlier this week told Channel 9 that they don't think the interim president should be fired.
“Right now with the condition that our school is in, we need stability. So removing a president right now just breeds an atmosphere of chaos, in my opinion," said Denzel Smith, vice president of the Student Government Association.

WFTV legal analyst and B-CU board member Belvin Perry Jr. sent a letter last week, laying out his concerns about a resolution that the executive committee passed, limiting the president's authority.

Perry said he worries the resolution could cost the school its accreditation. He said the board is trying to get rid of him because he sent the letter.

"I stand for transparency," he said. "I stand for what is right, and I am not going to protect anybody nor protect any board. My only interest is to get to the truth of this matter."

Perry said he echoes the students' concerns.

"I firmly support the students -- that (Carter) and a number of board members need to go. Matter of fact, the whole board needs to resign and a new board needs to be reconstituted," he said.

The board is scheduled to meet again Friday morning.

Attempts to contact Carter have not been successful.