On his first day in office, Florida A&M University President Dr. James Ammons asked the FAMU family of alumni, students, faculty and staff for 500 days to resolve the university’s nagging fiscal matters, pending accreditation suspension and a flurry of personnel problems.Nearly 365 days later, Ammons has overcome his greatest challenge yet, regaining full accreditation for the largest historically Black university in the nation. Thursday morning, the accrediting board, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), lifted probation after a final vote.
FAMU’s accreditation woes surfaced last summer after Rattlers endured more than "300 days of living hell" during the Castell Bryant regime which saw state audits cited university financial records that could not be verified, questionable contracting (who could forget KPMG and the university's inability to account for millions of dollars.
A new day
This summer, James Ammons has, SACS is singing a different tune.“We are very proud of and excited for FAMU for all of their hard work to come into compliance with the commission’s standards; and therefore, get off of probation,” said SACS president, Dr. Belle S. Wheelan.
“This is a great day for FAMU and the state of Florida,” said Ammons. “We have been able to solve and address the critical issues that threatened the very existence of this university. Our intent was to restore the public’s trust in the university’s ability to handle its finances and I believe this entire process has sent a strong and clear message to the state and our stakeholders that FAMU is in good hands.”
Ammons said the SACS decision is “providing us with such a sense of relief, now we can look boldly toward the future. Lifting of the probation will now free administrators to use their creativity to chart a course for growth that could see FAMU's enrollment go from its current 11,000 to 15,000 students."
The "dark clouds" may have gathered, but the sun has broken through and is shining on the Hill once again.
The FAMU legacy has been preserved. Look out America, The Rattlers are back!
Congratulations FAMU!! The Atlanta Alumni have been anxiously awaiting news from Tallahassee and when it finally came in there were thousands of texts, phone calls, and emails flying all over the city passing the great news. Was there any doubt that Ammons would bring the legacy back to the Hill? NO!! Rattlers we can celebrate and rejoice, but there is still work to be done in maintaining the integrity of our beloved FAMU that was once jeopardized by the gross incompetency of the Castell error. Send your money, send your kids, and send your prayers back to the hill. This proves that Rattlers will forever Strike!!!
ReplyDeleteAmmons for President 08!!!!
FAMU BABY!!!
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that Castell Bryant's name not be included anywhere where there is a sentence with the name "Florida A&M University" in it.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that Castell Bryant's name not be included anywhere where there is a sentence with the name "Florida A&M University" in it.
ReplyDeleteIt was sort of appropriate that "daRattler" came back and wrote this story.
ReplyDeleteThanks guy!
8:10 AM, your message says it all. My second child just graduated from FAMU and will start graduate school at FAMU in the fall. If I had 100 more kids, I would send them to FAMU. Right now, I'm talking to two parents on my job about sending there kids to FAMU when they graduate in 2009. Not only will I continue to send monthly financial donations to FAMU, but will send an additional "I Believe In FAMU Donation" next week.
ReplyDeleteDr. Ammons & Staff, we love all of you and thank you for a job well done.
I am extreamely proud of FAMU. The only DARK CLOUD is Kennedy-Lamar. She has lied and been deceptive with Alumni, Student's, Staff and administrators. Why has Gaines seen fit to keep her. Is there something going on. If she could go elsewhere she would be gone. Don't let the (SMILE) FOOL YOU. A snake will always be slimy.
ReplyDeleteI just hope Kennedy-Lamar isn't one of the Castell hold-overs who still claims that Humphries and Ammons didn't have a recruitment program. As long as she doesn't fit that mold, I think it's worth giving her a shot.
ReplyDeleteOne in the same.
ReplyDeleteHere's the view of a white Tallahassee native of over 50 years: I understand that "The Rattlers are back" is just a headline, but I don't think the Rattlers were ever gone; they were just mislead for a time by Trustees who worshiped at the throne of Castell Bryant. As good as Dr. Ammons obviously is, he couldn't have brought FAMU back in just a year, if Bryant had really destroyed the core values of the long-time FAMU faculty and staff. Essential good was always there, just below the surface, it just got obscured for a time by a master of manipulation. At least that's the view I've gotten working at FSU and knowing how universities actually work, behind the scenes. I've always envied you your location on the most beautiful plot of ground in Tallahassee, and I've admired the beauty and determination that shines from the eyes of FAMU students, faculty, and staff who despite decades of struggles and neglect, represent the Tallahassee university whose motto should be "Unconquered." Congratulations on winning another battle....it's very well deserved.
ReplyDelete4:32 PM, Thank you for such kind words and support. We can breathe a little easier now, but we still must work hard to continue FAMU's upward and onward course.
ReplyDelete4:32 drinks are on me, the next trip to Tally-ho!
ReplyDeleteAs an alumni member, I am deeply concerned about this Kennendy-Lamar. As a ecent graduate I recall her and Dr. June who on the surface appeared to be supportive and all smiles, until I saw their true colors. She may wear the colors, but she will NEVER be a RATTLER, a very cunning snake is what she is. FAMUans please don't be fooled by this person for the devil is her true friend. PLEASE DON'T BE FOOLED AS SHE HAS APPARENTLY EITHER FOOLED THIS ADMINISTRATION OR THEIR IS SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON. BEWARE.
ReplyDeleteWho is Kennedy-Lamar????
ReplyDeleteNow that we're back (where did we go?) let's remember that while "scandals" like this happen everywhere, at historically white schools they're less likely to circle the wagons and cover them up like we WERE. Not ARE,WERE. We are sensitive to criticism because of our history, and we don't like to hand over details of how a Black person may have done wrong, to the predominantly White press and legal system. But we've got to do it, if it happens, from now on. Promptly and without consideration of how it looks to white folks. Same goes for hiring quality folks, regardless of race, and helping them be successful at FAMU, not treat a white, Asian, or Hispanic employee like they stole the job from a Black person. Since what we're celebrating is getting back to where we should have been all along, I think we ought keep the partying short, and then buckle down and do what we do better than any other group -- work hard, work long hours when we need to, and work smart. We ain't afraid of hard work, are we??? Let's do it right this time.....
ReplyDeleteI had the pleasure of being in Lee Hall when the message came through. I was so happy I didn't know what to do with myself. We (Dr. Ammons and staff, Alumni, students, etc.) worked so hard for this day.
ReplyDeleteThere is one thing that I DO know- if you can't beat God, you dang sho' can't beat His children. God bless FAMU and her family!
Dr. Holmes has informed Dr. Ammons that he will work hard for ALL FAMU employees to receive bonuses for the hard work, etc. That is all good but what about paying us what we are worth -- most of us are working in positions that 2/3 people should do -- we are overworked and underpaid. Is there a new Chief of Staff in VP Theresa Hardees office with a very large salary increase and retired EG secretary is back with large salary
ReplyDeleteKennedy-Lamar is one of the leftovers from Dr. June & Cast(hell). She is the Associate VP in Student Activities. All the hell and heartache she caused on true Rattlers has now been rewarded by a new contract. Who's zooming who, gaines???????????
ReplyDeleteI have hear rumors that she falsified some important documents
and yet still had her contract renewed with no consequences. Is this true?
Lord help FAMU if this is true. That means that some things have changed, but internally there is a long way to go.
ReplyDeleteWhomever has mistreated personnel in the past, you can be assured that there time is fast coming. Remember what goes around, comes around. So just sit back and know that there time is on the way.
Kennedy-Lamar is NOT good at what she does. She has no plan of action, but she (just like many other highly paid administrators on campus) rely on their staff to do everything with little to no instruction. Holmes said he'd try to get us bonuses......HA! All of "US" don't need bonuses. How bout just those that actually do their job.???? Can we do that? Can we look at everyone at the university making over 60K a year and have a review.......believe me, without cleaning house, we'll be heading back in a bad direction.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, i am SO GLAD probation was lifted. I look forward to brighter days once abilities shine through at FAMU and not "hook-ups."
My $.02
RB Holmes was excited at the news of the probation being lifted, and he was just running his mouth as he always does. He knows good and darn well that there is not any kind of "bonus" $$ available for "every employee at the university." When I heard him say that, I shook my head. He was just caught up in the hype and excitement and started foaming at the mouth. If you notice, Dr. Ammons didn't second that motion. I hate it when folks just spew foolishness like they think we're all morons. Now, I say, just wait to hear anything else about a bonus. You won't hear it, cause it ain't gonna happen.
ReplyDeleteHolmes actually brought up the raise/bonus idea a the board meeting.
ReplyDeleteGood news! Now we done what we should have done years ago. (yeah, yeah... there were 'bad ppl' running the show) We got to stay out of the media and public backlash and continue doing the right thing from administration, academics, and athletics.
ReplyDelete