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CHAIR OF FAMU'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SOLOMON BADGER SUSPENDS PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Board of Trustees Chairman Solomon L. Badger III suspended the search today for the 11th President of FAMU.

Badger issued the following statement:

“I have decided today to temporarily suspend the search for a new FAMU President.

This is neither a commentary on the quality of candidates, nor a questioning of the search process. This is just a stark acknowledgment of the fact that FAMU’s accreditation is at risk, as it was placed on probation by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Commission on Colleges) in December.

We currently face a very tight timetable to prepare our detailed response to SACS, with key deadlines fast approaching. We have a highly-skilled team, led by Interim President Robinson, that is diligently working to prepare the report to SACS, due in August, and to ready FAMU for SACS’ on-site visit in September. It would be irresponsible to disrupt their work at this critical juncture.

It would also be eminently unfair to bring in a new President as FAMU’s accreditation hangs in the balance. I have full faith that Interim President Robinson and his team will succeed in their effort and want to make sure they face no distractions or disruptions.

I also want to thank the members of the search committee for their work so far and our many esteemed candidates for their interest. I hope they understand my decision and remain ready to resume the search process after the university has addressed these critical issues,” said Badger.

All presidential search committee meetings for next week have been canceled.

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FAMU'S PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE
SCHEDULES MEETINGS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Presidential Search Committee will meet March 18 and March 19 at FAMU’s College of Law located at 201 Beggs Avenue, Orlando. The general subject matter is the presidential search. The schedule is as follows.

Monday, March 18
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Prospect review meeting with Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.
College of Law, Room 376

Call-in number: 1-877-884-1929
Conference ID number: 21815320

Tuesday, March 19
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Presidential Search Committee Interviews with Candidates
College of Law, Room 376

Call-in number: 1-877-884-1929
Conference ID number: 21816749

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FAMU'S PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMPENSATION SUBCOMITTEE SCHEDULES CALLED MEETING

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Compensation Subcommittee of Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Presidential Search Committee will meet via teleconference February 22 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The general subject matter for the meeting is to discuss components of the President’s Compensation Package.

The call-in number is (877) 884-1929 and conference ID number is 12100785.

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FAMU WELCOMES NOMINATIONS FOR 11TH PRESIDENT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees Presidential Search Committee is officially accepting applications for the 11th president of FAMU through the firm of Greenwood/Asher & Associates.

According to the criteria posted on its presidential search website, the Board of Trustees will consider candidates both within and outside academia with advanced academic credentials as well as a candidate with an extraordinary business or government profile.

“We are looking for a dynamic individual who has the ability to lead and who will help FAMU carry out its very important mission,” said Karl White, chair of the presidential search committee. “Our goal is to have a president selected before the next academic year begins.”

To apply for the position, the search committee is asking that persons contact Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc., the firm assisting the FAMU Board of Trustees in its search. Individuals wishing to nominate a candidate may contact the search firm via telephone or in writing and provide the nominee’s name, current position, address, and telephone number. A letter addressing how the candidate’s experiences match the position requirements is recommended.

Applications and letters of nominations should be submitted to:

Ms. Marion Frenche
Executive Search Consultant
Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University – President
42 Business Centre Drive, Suite 206
Miramar Beach, Florida 32550
Phone: (850) 650-2277 / Fax: (850) 650-2272
Email: marionfrenche@greenwoodsearch.com

The review and screening of candidates will continue until an appointment is made. For more information about the search, log onto www.famu.edu/presidentialsearch.

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FAMU BOT SEEK PUBLIC INPUT FOR
PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH PROCESS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Presidential Search Committee of the FAMU Board of Trustees (BOT) is seeking feedback from the public about the presidential search process. On Saturday, Oct. 27, members of the FAMU Board of Trustees will lead a discussion with alumni, faculty, staff and students in Orlando at the FAMU College of Law from 10 a.m. to noon in the Moot Courtroom. The general public is invited to attend.

In addition, FAMU alumni, faculty, staff and supporters can visit the FAMU Presidential website to fill out a survey to assist the BOT in the development of the leadership statement for the presidential search process. The site is designed to help keep you abreast of the search process. The website is available at www.famu.edu/presidentialsearch. You can link directly to the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SS7J6DL.

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FAMU BOT SCHEDULES FORUMS AND LAUNCHES WEBSITE
TO GAIN PUBLIC INPUT ON SEARCH FOR NEW PRESIDENT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees (BOT) will seek public input regarding its presidential search process through two focus group meetings and a new website it plans to launch on Oct. 6.

“We believe that it is important to hear from our supporters, especially the faculty, students and alumni about the qualities they seek in a new leader for FAMU,” said FAMU Trustee Karl White, chair of the FAMU Presidential Search Committee. “We will use this information to help develop the presidential search criteria.”

One of the tools the board will use to gather data is a survey that will become a part of the new website. The survey would provide the board with feedback regarding the qualities that are most important. Areas of focus on the survey will be personality and style; personal experiences and skills; vision and mission; and challenges and opportunities.

“We want all of our stakeholders to be engaged in this process,” said Trustee Torey Alston, chair of the Presidential Search Marketing and Communications Subcommittee. “We have developed a website and forums to provide information that will be useful to making sure those who are interested can track the process.”

The focus groups are scheduled Thursday, Oct. 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Tallahassee in the FAMU Grand Ballroom and Saturday, Oct. 27 in Orlando at the FAMU College of Law from 10 a.m. to noon in the Moot Courtroom. Members of the FAMU Board of Trustees will lead a discussion with alumni, faculty, staff and students about the presidential search process.

According to Solomon Badger III, chairman of the BOT, the board’s goal is to have a new president in place by July 2013.

“We believe that we can meet this deadline and prepare the campus community for new leadership,” said Badger. “This is one of the most important assignments that this board will undertake during its tenure. We know that this will not be an easy task, but we are willing to do what ever it takes to select the right person. We will work diligently, review candidates thoroughly, and select the best president for the next chapter in the life of this University.”

Beginning Oct. 6, the website can be accessed at www.famu.edu/presidentialsearch.

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FAMU BOARD OF TRUSTEES BEGIN SEARCH
FOR A NEW PRESIDENT

Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees (BOT) unanimously agreed to appoint Larry Robinson to serve as interim president until a permanent president is appointed.

Robinson’s appointment must be confirmed by the Florida Board of Governors.

In outlining his plan as interim president, Robinson said that the foundation has been established for his work.

“As I assume this post, I do not have to start from scratch,” said Robinson. “Over the past 125 years, the framework has been established and the future direction for the university is clearly articulated in our 2010-2020 strategic plan, which is appropriately titled FAMU 2020 Vision With Courage. Considering all that has happened, we continue to do remarkable things at FAMU. I would like to contribute this success to the dedication, commitment and perseverance of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters near and far.”

The FAMU BOT also outlined its new process for conducting the presidential search and appointed Trustees Karl White of Boston and Dr. Spurgeon McWilliams of Tallahassee as co-chairs of the search committee. Other Board members appointed to the search committee include: Narayan Persaud, president of the Faculty Senate; Marissa West, president of the FAMU Student Government Association; Torey Alston of Fort Lauderdale; Belinda Reid-Shannon of Raleigh; and Marjorie Turnbull of Tallahassee. Tommy Mitchell, president of the National Alumni Association, and the Honorable Elizabeth Webster, member of the Florida Board of Governors, were appointed to the committee. Chairman Solomon Badger will serve as an ex-officio member.

Chairman Badger also appointed an advisory committee to the search committee which includes Trustee C. William Jennings of Orlando; Chairman of the Board of Governors Dean Colson; and Frederick S. Humphries, former president of FAMU.

Badger welcomed Robinson as interim president and has asked the search committee to consider:

• Developing a process that begins with soliciting input from the board, alumni, faculty, administrators, staff and students, as well as other university supporters that will result in the Leadership Statement;

• Making a recommendation about securing a search firm;

• Developing a timeline for the search process which includes the screening, interviewing and a short list of candidates for the board to interview; and

• Developing a communication strategy for keeping the board and the public informed about the process.

“I would ask the committee to keep this process as transparent as possible, while also balancing the need to permit the process to work effectively,” said Badger. “Please know that this Board and the University are committed to an open process that abides by the Public Meetings and Public Records laws.”

Robinson was appointed chief executive officer on July 16, 2012, and was to be considered for confirmation at the next BOT meeting. Robinson, who has served twice as university provost, has served in various leadership posts. He was assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); the vice president for research and a professor in the Environmental Sciences Institute (now School of the Environment) at FAMU; and director of the NOAA Environmental Cooperative Science Center (ECSC) headquartered at FAMU, which consists of a broad, multi-institutional consortium of predominantly minority-serving institutions.

Between 1984 and 1997, Robinson served as a research scientist and a group leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His work there included detection and assessment of special nuclear materials and application of nuclear methods in nonproliferation, environmental science, forensic science and the assessment of high purity materials. From 1997 to 2003, Robinson directed FAMU’s Environmental Sciences Institute where he led efforts to establish bachelor and doctoral degree programs. In 2007, he became the first African American to serve as the science advisor to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.

According to Badger, Robinson will not seek the permanent position as FAMU president and will earn a salary at a rate of $325,000 annually.