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Features
FAMU Graduates Comment On Controversy Surrounding President
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last Thursday, some mem- bers of the Florida A & M Uni- versity Board of Trustees called for the termination of the school’s president, Dr. Elmira Mangum. However, the vote failed 7-5. A second vote ended in a 6-6 tie.
On Friday, Board of Trustees Chairman Rufus Montgomery resigned from his position. He reportedly cited his relationship with Dr. Mangum as the reason. He described the relationship in an email to fellow trustees that his relationship with her is “broken and irreparable.”
Florida A & M University President, Dr. Elmira Mangum issued the following statement: “I would like to thank the members of the Board of Trustees, our stu- dents, alums, and friends for their support.
“My commitment to this University is stronger than ever. I am committed to work- ing with all of our stakeholders to enhance the educational ex- perience of our students, and ensure that this University op- erates at the most effective and efficient level possible.”
Some FAMU graduates shared their comments about the turmoil surrounding the president who was hired to lead the university last year.
Attorney Ted Taylor
said, “I agree with the board. We should have never hired her. It’s like a bad marriage. When you realize the marriage is not going to work, you should get out of it. We need to move on.
“Dr. (Larry) Robinson
actually delivered us from ac- creditation probation and other problems. And for those students who were offended, they had better watch out for unintended consequences. They had better be careful.”
Dr. Carolyn Collins
said, “During the past week, local Rattlers and friends of FAMU have wondered out loud what is going on in the board room and the adminis- tration suite at FAMU. To at- tempt to address the issues, everyone should focus on a long list of educational deci- sions that has plagued Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and the State University System (SUS).
“FAMU BOT (Board of Trustees) is not micromanag- ing, the Chairman is not bully- ing and the FAMU Board does not agree on everything nor should they, but there are clear points of agreement to in- clude: continued pursuit of “Excellence with Caring”; the President’s evaluation; budget and the program for the FAMU-FSU College of Engi- neering dating back to its ori- gin with Dr. W. L. Smith presidency; the need for fac- ulty and staff raises, address- ing the university work plan to assure student success with in- crease graduation and reten- tion rates; adhering to contract(s); following the poli- cies of the board and countless other mandates.”
Dr. Walter Smith, sev- enth President of FAMU said, “We had an exceptional In- terim President in Dr. Larry Robinson. But, the policy de- nies an Interim President from
being chosen as the president. The President needs to have good leadership qualities, and be responsible to the Board. I don’t think they have that.
“I’m not sure if she has FAMU’s best interest at heart because of where she came from. We Rattlers to the core have fought for many years for the school to not only survive, but to succeed.”
Gregory L. Clark, 1st Vice President, Florida A & M Uni- versity National Alumni Asso- ciation said, “I attended Florida A&M University's Homecoming festivities in Tal- lahassee last week, and wit- nessed authentic support from people committed to helping FAMU weather any storm. On Thursday, I listened to the FAMU Board of Trustees
emergency meeting just before I boarded a flight to Detroit to award scholarships with uni- versity representatives.
“Again, awesome alumni, parents, and other supporters were in the room eager to sup- port our beloved alma mater ... at the end of the day, we will keep working with the univer- sity’s leadership to strengthen and grow FAMU. It is our de- sire to see the administration put aside all differences and focus on taking the university to new levels of excellence.”
Tirrell Hamilton, Far- west Region Vice President, FAMU National Alumni Asso- ciation said, “Both the Board of Trustees and the President (who is a member of the Board of Trustees, as the executive secretary) need to know the
product of the university (the alumni) will not do what they should do as a product of the university, unless: 1. They are given a plan; 2. They are asked to do something (with details); 3. They are kept well in- formed; and 4. They are all re- spected.
“People do not invest in an enterprise out of nostalgia. ... Over the years, many institu- tions have sacrificed core edu- cational standards in order to get warm bodies into class- rooms. We need to look, ask, and decide if FAMU is one of them. We cannot direct our funds in the most effective way unless we look candidly at the university as it is today. Many alumni are shocked and amazed to learn what is hap- pening on campus these days. Even if our college has resisted compromising its values, re- member that it is subject to the same pressures that have eroded academic integrity at other schools. We will want to contribute to programs that help the university maintain a standard of excellence.”
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