(a) There shall be a single statewide Alabama Cooperative Extension System operated in connection with Auburn University and A&M University. The system shall be under the administration and supervision of a director, who shall be selected and appointed by the President of Auburn University and the President of Alabama A&M University, with the approval of their respective boards of trustees. The system shall be operated according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System operational policies and procedures manual which cannot be changed without the consent of both Auburn University and Alabama A&M University. The director shall be an employee of Auburn University and one-half of the salary and benefits paid to the director shall be paid out of any appropriation to the extension system paid to Auburn University and one-half of the salary and benefits paid to the director shall be paid out of any appropriation to the extension system paid to Alabama A&M University.

(b) An 1890 administrator shall be employed by Alabama A&M University and paid from appropriations to the extension system paid to Alabama A&M University. The 1890 administrator shall provide leadership within the system as provided for in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System operational policies and procedures manual. The 1890 administrator shall be selected according to the criteria and procedures stipulated in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System operational policies and procedures manual.

(c) On November 1, 2005, the name of the Alabama Extension Service is changed to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. All references to the Cooperative Extension Service of Auburn University, Alabama Agricultural Extension Service, or the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service contained in this code are changed to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. All other laws, rules, regulations, and legal references of any kind to the extension service shall be changed to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System or extension system when this code is next reprinted and, as other laws, rules, regulations, and legal references are appropriate, timely, and economically feasible.