Ala. Code § 16-54-15
Whenever the University of Montevallo needs any land or interest therein near the university for its purposes, and the owner thereof is a minor or an insane person, or refuses to sell the land to the state for the use of the university, or will not agree with the board of trustees or the president on a price therefor, the trustees shall have authority to institute in the probate court of Shelby County proceedings in the name of the State of Alabama, to condemn such land, which proceedings shall be conducted as nearly as may be possible in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1 of Title 18. It shall be the duty of the trustees to pay out of the funds of the university all costs of every condemnation proceeding instituted by them under the power hereby conferred.
Ala. Code § 16-54-15 (1975)