By KATIE MCDOWELL/Lifestyles Editor

The Alabama Senate will consider confirming Secretary of State Beth Chapman to the University of Montevallo’s Board of Trustees today.

State Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, said the appointment has received some opposition, including State Sen. Roger Bedford, D- Russellville.

“It will be a contentious nomination,” he said.

Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Chapman to the board in January. In a letter, he stated she would represent the state-at-large and her term would expire Jan. 19, 2023.

Ward said Chapman was also nominated last year, but was not confirmed by the State Senate. He said it’s “very possible” her nomination could be defeated again.

The University of Montevallo board includes the governor of Alabama; the state superintendent of education; 11 other trustees, who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate and a student trustee, who is nominated by the UM Student Government Association.

The trustees oversee the “selection of a president, approval of the budget, the securing of adequate financial resources, the establishment of broad institutional policy, and support of the administrative and educational functions of the institution and those officers and employees responsible for them,” according to the University of Montevallo’s website.