The tense relationship between Baylor University and the Baylor Alumni Association may have reached a potential turning point—or boiling point—Sept. 19 when the university presented the alumni association a proposal asking the group to give up its independent nonprofit status and come under the authority of Baylor administration.

The proposal would consolidate the alumni association’s independently produced Baylor Line—which has sometimes taken positions critical of university administration and the board of regents—and the university-produced Baylor Magazine into a single publication, with the school maintaining editorial control.

In exchange, Baylor would cover operating costs for the alumni association, provide a seat on the board of regents to a member of the current Baylor Alumni Association’s board of directors, make the executive director of the alumni association vice president for alumni affairs and give the association’s current employees the option of working for the university.

Baylor Regent Bob Beauchamp presented a detailed proposal from Regent Chairman Dary Stone and Baylor University Interim President David Garland to the Baylor Alumni Association board.