Post by Aggie One on Oct 28, 2015 20:35:26 GMT -5
FAMU's board chairman resigns from job
Gary Fineout
Associated Press
October 23, 2015, 12:39 PM
TALLAHASSEE — Saying that his current relationship with Florida A&M University President Elmira Mangum is "broken and irreparable," the chairman of the university board stepped down from his post on Friday.
Rufus Montgomery, an alumnus and a successful lobbyist in Georgia, notified other university trustees of his decision in a brief statement. Montgomery will remain on the board.
His decision to give up his position as chairman comes a day after trustees held a chaotic emergency meeting and almost voted to fire Mangum from her $425,000 a year job. Trustees deadlocked 6-6 on one vote.
The vote followed allegations about expensive repairs at Mangum's university-owned home and improper bonuses for a top employee. Mangum has denied doing anything wrong and has accused some trustees of being on a "witch hunt."
But Mangum has had a stormy tenure for most of her nearly 18 months, including several notable clashes with Montgomery. Earlier this year Mangum hung up on Montgomery during an apparently testy phone call. She wound up writing a memo accusing Montgomery of harassment and violating university employee rules.
In his statement to trustees, Montgomery said that when he was chosen as chairman he expected trustees to work together to hold Mangum accountable. But he said that "has not materialized and is not likely to occur with the current board."
He added that "successful navigation" of challenges facing FAMU requires an "effective working relationship between the board chair and the university president.
For the rest of the story:
www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-ap-famu-chairman-resigns-20151023-story.html
Gary Fineout
Associated Press
October 23, 2015, 12:39 PM
TALLAHASSEE — Saying that his current relationship with Florida A&M University President Elmira Mangum is "broken and irreparable," the chairman of the university board stepped down from his post on Friday.
Rufus Montgomery, an alumnus and a successful lobbyist in Georgia, notified other university trustees of his decision in a brief statement. Montgomery will remain on the board.
His decision to give up his position as chairman comes a day after trustees held a chaotic emergency meeting and almost voted to fire Mangum from her $425,000 a year job. Trustees deadlocked 6-6 on one vote.
The vote followed allegations about expensive repairs at Mangum's university-owned home and improper bonuses for a top employee. Mangum has denied doing anything wrong and has accused some trustees of being on a "witch hunt."
But Mangum has had a stormy tenure for most of her nearly 18 months, including several notable clashes with Montgomery. Earlier this year Mangum hung up on Montgomery during an apparently testy phone call. She wound up writing a memo accusing Montgomery of harassment and violating university employee rules.
In his statement to trustees, Montgomery said that when he was chosen as chairman he expected trustees to work together to hold Mangum accountable. But he said that "has not materialized and is not likely to occur with the current board."
He added that "successful navigation" of challenges facing FAMU requires an "effective working relationship between the board chair and the university president.
For the rest of the story:
www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-ap-famu-chairman-resigns-20151023-story.html