FAMU Internal Discourse Pops Up Again

[Aggie One]

Almost half of trustees say FAMU president not meeting expectations
Byron Dobson, Tallahassee Democrat 12:12 p.m. EDT July 16, 2015

Almost half of the Florida A&M Board of Trustees said President Elmira Mangum's performance did not meet expectations in most of the areas in which she was graded.

The critical evaluations come on the heels of a cantankerous June 9 meeting and set the stage for Mangum's first formal evaluation next week.

According to copies of preliminary evaluations posted by the university online, five of 12 trustees said the first-year president was not meeting expectations in more than five of the 10 categories in which she was graded. Overall, a majority of the trustees said Mangum's performance didn't meet expectations in four of the 10 categories being reviewed.

Mangum, who was took office April 1, 2014, was graded on: annual priorities and goals, strategic leadership, educational leadership, organizational management, financial management, fundraising, external relations, internal relations, board and governance relations and personal characteristics and values.

According to the evaluations submitted in anticipation of a July 8 deadline, Mangum didn't meet expectations for organizational management, internal relations, board and governance relations and personal characteristics and values.

For the rest of the story:
www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2015/07/15/famu-president-trustees-differ-performance-evaluation/30218237/

[DOOMS]

Who hired the woman?

If the trustees did, then it's a reflection on them.

[Aggie One]

Well yes they did and now they want a mulligan. Do they even remotely have a clue as to what they want or need in Tallahassee?

[Gator]

I concur Dooms. Also, if she was the best of the crop then that says something too.

[Aggie One]

Our opinion: FAMU must end dysfunction

Tallahassee Democrat Editorial Board 3:10 p.m. EDT July 26, 2015


If you were a bright young student coming out of high school with numerous colleges to choose from, or an esteemed educator sought after by some of the nation’s top universities, or skilled administrator looking to add a different kind of campus to your professional resume, would you apply at Florida A&M University?

That’s the crux of the continuing contretemps between Dr. Elmira Mangum and the FAMU Board of Trustees. The chronic dysfunction that tarnished FAMU’s “excellence with caring” escutcheon long before she came from Cornell continues to handicap a university that has a vital mission in Florida’s higher education system and a special place in the hearts of its graduates, students and community supporters.

Since Dr. Frederick S. Humphries left in 2001, FAMU has had six presidents — three permanent, three “interim.” By comparison, Florida State has had six, all of them permanent, in 39 years.

FAMU has endured a barrage of financial discrepancies, accreditation probation, declining enrollment and even crime. The low point was the 2011 fatal beating of drum major Robert Champion in a band initiation ritual, which led to a year-long suspension of the famous Marching 100 and ultimately the ouster of then president James Ammons.

For the rest of the story:
www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/07/25/opinion-mangum-trustees-must-end-famu-dysfunction/30676723/

[oldschool]

I have nothing but respect for the alumni at SCSU ,at least they admitted their shortcomings ,and were able to accept the consequences and are moving on . But I don't have any sympathy for the alumni at FAMU . They are some of the most arrogant , conceited folk on the face of this earth . Time and time again I have been utterly amazed at the statements ,and actions they have taken in regard to their problems , in life you get what you deserve . They want to relive their glory days of the past and not face the harsh realities of the present . It's okay to glance back at the past ,but it's impolite to stare .

[DOOMS]

I don't know if we can paint the whole body of alumni that way. The folks that I know that went to FAMU aren't that way. I think the problem is the prominent (and loud) alumni are the ones that act in that manner. The other problem is that it appears some of the less favorable alumni are in power there.

It is astonishing to me that Florida, a state chock-full of Black people, would have these issues with the only public hbcu in the state. South Carolina having issues with SC Steat when Steat is the only four-year public hbcu in SC is equally astounding.

Makes me wonder how that can be...

[Maxell]

Jul 27, 2015 15:36:50 GMT -5 DOOMS said:

I don't know if we can paint the whole body of alumni that way. The folks that I know that went to FAMU aren't that way. I think the problem is the prominent (and loud) alumni are the ones that act in that manner. The other problem is that it appears some of the less favorable alumni are in power there.

It is astonishing to me that Florida, a state chock-full of Black people, would have these issues with the only public hbcu in the state. South Carolina having issues with SC Steat when Steat is the only four-year public hbcu in SC is equally astounding.

Makes me wonder how that can be...

If you are the only hen in the chicken coup. You are easy to find and everybody wants some. These single state supported HBCUs can be weakened over and over again by state governments because they are alone. Trying defend/support them can be like putting your finger in the dike until the next thing pops up.

[aggierattler]

Jul 17, 2015 13:32:00 GMT -5 Aggie One said:

Well yes they did and now they want a mulligan. Do they even remotely have a clue as to what they want or need in Tallahassee?

The Board of Trustees at FAMU and the former BoT at SC State are very similar. FAMU's current board, selected by a GOP legislature, is headed and controlled by a power-hungry chairman who undercuts the president at every turn. And the president doesn't help matters by stubbing her toes in very public areas, such as athletics and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush designed a course back in 2001 to weaken FAMU by jettisoning its strong president (Dr. Frederick Humphries) and setting up this BOT system that allows the legislature to appoint its members, and the members to select the president. This plan has worked-to-a-tee.

[AggiePride]

Jul 27, 2015 15:36:50 GMT -5 DOOMS said:

I don't know if we can paint the whole body of alumni that way. The folks that I know that went to FAMU aren't that way. I think the problem is the prominent (and loud) alumni are the ones that act in that manner. The other problem is that it appears some of the less favorable alumni are in power there.

It is astonishing to me that Florida, a state chock-full of Black people, would have these issues with the only public hbcu in the state. South Carolina having issues with SC Steat when Steat is the only four-year public hbcu in SC is equally astounding.

Makes me wonder how that can be...

I have wondered the same thing. But I think many of FAMU's problem with the state are caused by two things:

1. FAMU is a land grant institution. FSU is not.
2. Its location, so close to FSU.

By being a land grant institution FAMU actually had the federally funding and authority to start a college of engineering. The Florida legislature and FSU leadership recognized that and made FAMU start the joint school of engineering.

Also FAMU had a law school first, but it was shuttered and a new law school opened at FSU. Only years later did FAMU reopen a law school.

Historically FSU is more like UNCG than NCSU. There are some serious benefits to being a land grant. The relationship has unfolded time and time again: TSU and the former UT-Nashville. The state of Tennessee tried its best to fold TSU into UTN but they lost and part of the reason was because of TSU's land grant status. Some of the dynamic exists between A&T and UNCG. But that land grant status is so valuable.

All these factors come into play to when you are dealing with a dysfunctional BOT.