Athens State University (ASU) is the only upper-division university in the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). As a member of the ACCS, Athens State operates under the authority of the Alabama State Board of Education upon recommendations from the Chancellor, who serves as the chief executive officer of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education.

Members of the Alabama State Board of Education are elected public officials. As such, the members of the State Board are protected from undue influence by provisions of the Legislative Code of Alabama. In particular, Board members are protected by the Code of Alabama, Section 13A-10-61 which allows for the prosecution of any person or persons who attempt to corruptly influence any public officials. In addition, the Code of Alabama, Section 36-25-7 expressly prohibits any person from offering, soliciting, or receiving things of value with the purpose of influencing official action.

The Alabama State Board of Education has adopted several policies that further serve to protect its members and the institutions under its purview from undue external influence. In particular, Board Policy 111.01 strongly discourages the presentation of gifts, services, transportation, food, entertainment or things of value to Board members, the Chancellor, or any Vice Chancellor or Director of the Department, by any institution, employee or organization affiliated with the ACCS or the Department of Postsecondary Education. Board Policy 215.01 bans the employment of lobbyists at the institutional level, and prohibits ACCS employees, whose responsibilities include lobbying as institutional or system representatives, from engaging in their official capacities in fund raising activities for candidates for public office. In addition, Board Policy 216.01 prohibits the institution from organizing or participating in a political action committee. Employees of the institution may not use the college name for any political action committee. Furthermore, the President and other administrators may not intimidate, coerce or in any manner attempt to influence employees to join or make contributions to any political action committee or similar organization.