For several months I have read stories and opinions about the troubles at the Florida A&M University College of Law. No law school in the state of Florida -- or for that matter in the region -- has received similar media attention and public scrutiny.It appears that various newspapers have taken keen interest in the inter-workings and trials and tribulations of the FAMU College of Law. Why the uncanny interest? Perhaps, the severe financial and administrative challenges confronting FAMU are simply newsworthy as is the widely publicized and juicy infighting at the law school. Notwithstanding, there are also several positive developments at the College of Law that are noteworthy, and I hope that these stories are pursued with equal vigor.
The FAMU College of Law has a beautiful new building and has recruited nationally recognized and seasoned administrators and faculty with experience in building law schools; student applications for admission are up 13 percent while the national average is down; quantifiable credentials for students have increased; there has been an increase in merit-based scholarships; the FAMU administration, especially President James Ammons, has provided it unwavering support; and the College of Law is developing new centers of excellence.
As the incoming associate dean for international programs and Distinguished Professor of International Law, I chose to join FAMU because of my confidence in Dean Leroy Pernell's leadership skills, unwavering faith in the law-school faculty, staff and students, and confidence that the people of Orlando understand the importance of the College of Law to the vitality of the city. The FAMU College of Law is Orlando's law school, not the property of any specific group.
Continue reading: Progress being made at FAMU Law
WOW...what a glowing article about FAMU's College of Law. Quite impressive demographic statistics too.
ReplyDeleteWhile i had to do a search on the Orlando Sentinel website to see this article (it was not front and center on the front page like the negative news about FAMU COL), i DO NOT see this article on the Tallahassee Democrat or that fish wrapper St. Pete Times.
Great article nonetheless! I'm optimistic too the FAMU and COL's adminstration will pull the law school through this accreditation issue.
This guy has a point. This has certainly been one of the most reported upon law schools in the country.
ReplyDeleteEvery move made at FAMU Law has been carefully scrutinized by the media for good or bad.
There are some state reporters who want to see Ammons fail because that will validate all the nasty articles they wrote supporting Castell's claims that Humphries and Ammons messed up the university.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Ammons, using many former financial staffers from the Humphries administration, cleaned up most of Castell's financial mess in 6 months has made those reporters look stupid.
Many of those journalists have been waiting for an opportunity to saw: "Hey, we told you Ammons isn't really fixing things over there!" They're trying to use the law school in order to do this.
The question is: What are these reporters going to when Ammons and Purnell secure full ABA accreditation? Will they finally admit that they were wrong about FAMU? Or, will they continue to try and make mountains out of mole hills?
No they'll just find other things to criticize(well actually they'll sing FAMU's praises for a few months and then say, "AHA!You see, told you it was all too good to be true").
ReplyDeleteYeah, maybe they'll do an investigative report series criticizing the interior decorating schemes in Foote Hilyer's offices.
ReplyDeletei for one am quite sick of all the negative press but they make no mention of all the things FAMU Law has done to combat the issues it has faced in the past. I mean what law school showed up perfect out the door-- no one and if they hadnt shut the school down back in the 60s to endorse the non HBCU neighboring law school -- we would be well pass these issues. Nevertheless AND ALWAYS THE MORE.. the school has since attained Dean Pernell who has the background and foresight to take our institution where it needs to go. In addition, the school has attained nationally recognized faculty to combat every area, which the ABA labeled an issue during their last walk thru and audit of the school!!!
ReplyDeleteSo seriously, if the media isn't going to bother to produce non bias articles .. I dont see any point in me wasting my brain cells to read it...
This is a great article!!!!
ps. lmfao @ callin st.pete times a fish wrapper...