The Department of Mining Engineering of the University of Alabama is declared to be the "School of Mines" of the State of Alabama. Alabama's share of such federal aid as may hereafter be provided by Congress for the promotion or development of mines and mining and mining engineering in the several states through educational agencies shall be put at the exclusive disposal of the University of Alabama to be utilized in connection with or by that institution in such manner as the federal law and regulations may prescribe.
Ala. Code § 16-47-12 (1975)