FAMU Board wants legislators to return fiscal control
of joint FAMU-FSU engineering college
TALLAHASSEE – During an emergency meeting of the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees Monday (April 9), board members decided in a unanimous vote to let Florida legislators know they want the fiscal control of the joint FAMU-FSU College of Engineering to remain with FAMU.
In recent weeks, at least two key state legislators moved to take the $10.4 million allocated for the joint college out of the FAMU budget and transfer it to the FSU budget, calling it “a done deal.” News of the planned move resulted in voices of strong opposition from many corners of the FAMU community.
The issue was among the first addressed by the board. Chairwoman Challis Lowe said the issue had “generated lots of questions.” Interim President Castell Vaughn Bryant provided a brief explanation to the board about what had transpired in recent weeks regarding the subject.
“Sen. [Al] Lawson has an amendment regarding the fiscal agent . . . to return it to FAMU,” said Trustee R.B. Holmes. “I want to strongly support that amendment.”
Chairwoman Challis Lowe asked Holmes to offer a motion to that effect; his motion received a second from new FAMU Trustee Darryl Parks. Board members later put the motion in the form of a resolution, which will be forwarded to Lawson and other legislators.
In other matters taken up by the board during the meeting:
* Another resolution was offered by Holmes -- which was seconded by Trustee Pamela Duncan – to request an additional $2 million for the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The board voted unanimously to support this motion so that the College can have the funds it needs to deal with accreditation issues.
* An update was provided about Summer School. FAMU, contrary to previously published reports, will offer a sufficient number of courses this summer. The classes have been posted.
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For information: 850-599-3413 for LaNedra Carroll or Pamela Bryant
