A statement by Tuscaloosa-area lawmakers said the partnership will create a research and development center for technology related to electric vehicles.

Too often, the report says, limited funding is going to already wealthy families, and the method the state uses for awarding money lacks transparency and consistency.

The university is also providing a tuition assist this fall.

More than two hours of discussion and debate made clear a key factor was the system's relationship with the state legislature and the funding it could yield.