By KYLE WINGFIELD
The Associated Press
12/18/2003, 12:34 a.m. CT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- The accrediting agency that placed Auburn University on 12 months probation says Auburn failed to show the school president — and not the board of trustees — holds the reins of the athletic program and day-to-day affairs.

In a Wednesday letter to President William Walker, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools spelled out specific portions of the often-lengthy accreditation standards it found Auburn had violated. Previously, the agency had only named the standards.

The letter stated Walker "has not exercised sufficient control over athletic funds held by the athletic foundation," noting the president has "ultimate responsibility" for those funds.

SACS said Auburn trustees failed to limit their role to policy making,

and that the university had not sufficiently prevented a minority of trustees from micromanaging the school. [...]

Walker said in a statement Wednesday evening that he and the administration are studying the letter.

"We are confident that we can comply with each request contained in the SACS letter, and look forward to demonstrating to SACS our compliance with the cited criteria," Walker said. [...]