Henderson elected Miss FAMU

Demetria Henderson has been elected Miss FAMU for the 2009-2010 year. Henderson, a native of Ft. Lauderdale, won by a 60 vote margin in Thursday's runoff.



Earlier in the week, Brandon McCaskill, broadcast journalism major, from Laurel, MD., was elected Mr. FAMU.

Wine class quenches thirst for knowledge

Enology, the science of winemaking and wine understanding, is a discipline best taught through hands-on experience. For the next nine weeks, FAMU’s College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture will give a group of students that tasty opportunity.

On Tuesday, CESTA kicked off a wine appreciation course. The sessions include a combination of lectures, video presentations, and wine tastings. The class will also visit one of Florida’s leading wineries.

All the students are age 21 and older.

"Educating young generations in wine appreciation can be a very good prevention policy and keep them away of the big trouble of the hard liquor and some other abusive substances," said FAMU Viticulture Professor Violeta Colova.

Students who pass the course will graduate with the certificate of completion and two credit units from the University Extension Program.

Fired employee says he is innocent

Albert "Clayton" Smith a former FAMU athletic department employee who was fired after an internal investigation revealed he misdirected funds is fighting the allegations.

Smith was arrested on charges of grand theft on Dec. 16, according to the arrest affidavit. According to the affidavit, Smith was arrested on a third-degree grand-theft charge, meaning he is accused of stealing no less than $300 and no more than $5,000. Smith's attorney, Barbara Hobbs, said her client was already offered probation and he turned it down.

"He is adamant about going to trial," she said.

Before being fired from FAMU, he worked in ticketing.

Rattler Nation first reported this story in December 2008.

Franklin, Hayes elected to lead SGA

Gallop Franklin (left), a pharmacy student from Tallahassee, will serve as FAMU’s 2009-2010 student body president and university trustee.

“Running was very stressful and tiresome, but its preparation for what’s set. I enjoyed it. It was a great process. I’m ready to get to work,” Franklin told The FAMUan. “It feels really great. That’s my entire goal, to protect the legacy of FAMU.”

His vice-president-elect is Calvin Hayes (right), a public relations student from Orlando.

The two will take office in May.

Campaign week begins

FAMU sues airline to recover money

An airline charter company that FAMU maintains breached a contract with the school has been sued by the University to recover a $26,000 deposit and $30,000 in increased cost.

FAMU attorneys took action against Global Airline Services who the University maintains failed to deliver on its contract to fly the Rattler football team to Virginia for a 2007 match-up against Hampton University. FAMU maintains it paid the airline a $26,000 deposit and with less than a week's notice, the company notified the school saying it could not accommodate the squad forcing the University to make arrangements with a different airline. The substitute flight cost the team an additional $80,000.

University officials are asking for a return of the deposit plus $30,000 for in increase cost.

Orlando leaders rally around FAMU as ABA watches

On Monday, the Orlando community sent a clear message to the American Bar Association: the FAMU College of Law is a vital and valued part of the city.

At a reception hosted by the Orlando Magic, local leaders emphasized how the law school is enhancing the community’s quality-of-life.

“The FAMU College of Law is a great addition to our academic community,” said Linda Landman-Gonzalez, the Orlando Magic’s Vice President of Community Relations and Government Affairs. “The countless attorneys and judges who will study, and hopefully call Orlando home, impacts our region both economically and professionally.”

The reception, which was scheduled as part of FAMU’s ABA site visit, was attended by many other FAMU and Orlando officials. They included: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, FAMU President James Ammons, Board of Trustees Chairman Bill Jennings, Law School Dean LeRoy Pernell, and Orlando Magic Community Ambassadors Nick Anderson and Bo Outlaw.

The ABA site team will wrap up its visit today. The members will then deliberate and issue a recommendation on whether FAMU’s law school should receive unconditional accreditation.

In 2007, an ABA site team praised Ammons for making the law school an administrative priority and restoring $5 million that former Interim President Castell Bryant withheld from the college’s budget.

Read more here.

FAMU law defying critics

Castell withheld $5M from FAMU law

OT: DC voting rights bill gains momentum

As a U.S. Senator, Barack Obama co-sponsored a bill to grant full-voting rights to the District of Columbia’s delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives. Now, as President of the United States, he’s said he’s ready and willing to sign such legislation into law.

The 44th President might get his chance. A DC voting rights bill is moving forward in the U.S. Senate. This week, it gained a 62-person filibuster-proof majority that permitted it to proceed to the full floor.

Eight Republican senators joined Democrats in supporting the proposal. The bill’s proponents attracted bi-partisan support by offering another permanent House seat to Utah, a GOP stronghold.

If the measure clears the Senate, it is likely to enjoy smooth sailing through the House, where a similar measure attracted a majority vote in 2007.

Supporters in the District of Columbia see the legislation as a critical step toward the goal of statehood and eventual voting rights in the Senate. Many GOP opponents fear that if the heavily Democratic DC ever receives two senators, it will further dilute their party’s influence in that chamber.

DC has a large FAMU National Alumni Association chapter and is a major stop on the university’s annual recruitment trips. Students from the nation’s capital qualify for in-state tuition rates in Florida.

Curtain falls on Gaither Gym as grand old lady goes dark

The curtain fell on Gaither Gym in grand fashion last night as the FAMU men & women basketball teams came together and did something they haven't been able to do in over a month, they both won (on the same night).

Both Rattler teams will begin play in a new 9,000 seat facility later this year.

The Rattlers, the cardiac kids of the MEAC, were able to down Delaware State 63-61 in overtime. The Rattlers' fifth overtime of the season. The Lady Rattlers coasted to victory over the Lady Hornets, the number two seeded team in the MEAC,58-33.

Beyond the game the night was much more about symbolism. Fusing the old with the new as current and former Rattlers were on brought together in a final ceremony to say goodbye to Gaither. Then, row-by-row, the lights were turned off leaving the gym dark expect for the glow of glow sticks and cell phones.

While the 46 year-old gym may have seen it's last collegiate basketball game, the gym still has a lot of life left in it. FAMU will just have to figure out what that is.

Tuition hike could prompt voter backlash

A recent Quinnipiac University poll had bad news for Florida GOP leaders who are preparing to bump up tuition rates: most voters hate the proposed price increase.

Released last week, the numbers show that 78 percent of Floridians oppose the new “differential tuition” plan being pushed by Gov. Charlie Crist and his Republican colleagues in the legislature.

Late last year, Crist announced a proposal to permit every state university to increase tuition by up to 15 percent that goes beyond the rates set in the annual appropriations bill. The differential will not be covered by Florida’s popular Bright Futures Scholarship.

The plan would permit FAMU and several other public universities to gradually add a 157 percent increase on top of Florida's current per-credit-hour base tuition rate, hiking it from $82 to $211 by 2013.

Critics of the differential, such as former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, believe it will lead to a net loss for universities. Graham points to the legislature’s history of raising tuition on one hand while cutting multimillions from the State University System’s budget on the other.

At FAMU, tuition increases are unlikely to bring in any new funds. Most of FAMU’s students come from low-income families. When tuition and fees rise, they simply enroll in fewer courses. That results in an overall drop in revenue for the university.

The public’s overwhelming disapproval of the differential plan is sure to become a major issue in the 2010 election. Many Democratic leaders are arguing that the proposed tuition increase is additional proof that Republicans are out-of-touch with Floridians who are suffering from the recession.

Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-Miami), a FAMU alumnus and candidate for the U.S. Senate, could become a key beneficiary of voter outrage against the tuition hike. Meek has spent much of his political career courting working and middle class voters who feel that the GOP-led legislature is starving public education.

Back in 2002, Meek’s championed a constitutional amendment to force the legislature to reduce class sizes in Florida’s overcrowded public schools. Despite vigorous opposition from then-Gov. Jeb Bush, 2.5 million citizens voted for the measure and it was approved.

The differential legislation, along with renewed GOP efforts to scale back the class size caps, could give more momentum to Democratic candidates such as Meek.

More Floridians feeling pain from soaring tuition

OT: Mason elects guy homecoming queen

Way off topic?

Not really, just a sign of the times and (perhaps) inclusiveness.

Ryan Allen, a male student, who is gay and performs as a popular drag queen at local clubs, assumed the title of Ms. George Mason University.

Allen donned a green-and-gold bow, sewn for him by the theater department costume's shop, that was visible even from the cheap seats in Mason's 10,000 seat Patriot Center, a sequined top, a black skirt and heels. Beyond the joyful tears and tiara, Allen's election exposed conflicting cultural currents at the sprawling campus in Fairfax County. Many see it as an expression of inclusiveness at a place where about one-third of the 30,000 students are minority. But others say it is an embarrassment at an inopportune time when Mason is trying to revamp its image from commuter school to distinguished institution of higher learning. Officially, the university is 'very comfortable with it. We're fine,' spokesman Daniel Walsch said. The school does not require participants in the Mr. and Ms. Mason pageant to compete along precise gender lines, he said.

Continue reading: Work that tiara, boy!

Professor co-writes book on STEM

Charles Magee, a professor in FAMU's Biological and Agricultural Systems Engineering (BASE) program, is co-author of a new book published by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) titled “Models for Success: Successful Academic Models for Increasing the Pipeline of Blacks and Hispanics Students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Areas.”

The book highlights successful STEM programs at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The BASE program in the FAMU College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture (CESTA) has been identified by the TMCF as a successful STEM program.

Magee authored of Chapter 5 of the book, “Biological and Agricultural Systems Engineering (BASE): A Success in STEM at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.” The chapter includes statistical data that supports the need for developing a pipeline to help increase minority representation in STEM areas, as well as an in-depth perspective of the history and implementation of the biological and agricultural systems engineering program at Florida A&M University.

“This recognition is very significant for our BASE program, as it will help us attract more students, especially among minorities, to train for STEM professions that offer tremendous opportunities for young people to excel in life,” said Makola Abdullah, dean of FAMU's College of Engineering Sciences Technology and Agriculture. “Being identified in this book as a “model of success” in STEM is a testament to the excellence of the BASE program and the commitment of Dr. Magee, the faculty and our staff.”

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund selected FAMU’s BASE program because during its short 13-year history, two Ph.D. graduates have been produced in biological engineering and molecular biology, and there are five BASE graduates presently pursuing Ph.D.s in STEM fields. The program began at FAMU in 1996. Since May 2000, 38 students have graduated from the BASE program. Out of the 38 students, 18 have gone to graduate school at 14 different universities.

Magee’s own story is one of a STEM trailblazer. A 1970 alumnus of Alcorn State University's agriculture program, he earned a master of science in agricultural engineering from the University of Minnesota and his Ph.D. in agricultural and biological engineering from Cornell University. He was just the third African American to receive a doctorate degree in this field.

As a professional academician, Magee has many other significant “firsts” to his credit. They include: being the first African American hired as an assistant professor in the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville's College of Agriculture and securing Fort Valley State University's first U.S. patent.

The TMCF publication will be shared with libraries and directors of STEM programs at other universities. Through this academic network, it is anticipated that more BASE graduates will be recruited by universities for graduate study in STEM fields.

Rose elevated to Disney royalty

One of Hollywood’s most visible Rattlers is breaking new ground.

Anika Noni Rose, a Tony award-winning actress best known for her performance in the blockbuster feature film Dreamgirls, is Disney’s first animated black princess. Her voice and likeness are being used for the character Tiana in Disney’s upcoming movie The Princess and the Frog.

"This feels amazing," Rose told PEOPLE Magazine. "Not only is she the first black princess, she's the first American princess. So, the scope and the significance is larger than people even realize."

Disney just released a toy-line for the film that includes a Princess Tiana doll modeled after Rose, who earned her bachelor of arts in theatre from FAMU.

The movie's star-studded cast includes talk show celebrity Oprah Winfrey, who voices Tiana’s mother, the queen.

You might also be interested in: Dreamgirl makes history

Rattler makes Disney history

Campaign week begins

They're off to the races !

Campaign week at FAMU is in full swing and candidates for SGA President/VP, Miss FAMU, Mr. FAMU, and all the other offices, are out pressing the flesh and filling up folks facebook boxes seeking votes.

Through his facebook page current SGA President Andrew M. Collins wished "all of the candidates a successful, respectful, and fulfilling campaign week!" And reminded all, win or lose he's not leaving office until May 3rd!

FAMU student elections are sometimes expensive propositions with candidates purchasing scores of t-shirts, flyers, billboards, and even tv-commercials to sway student opinions. According to a recent FAMUan article, the current economy has caused some candidates to tighten their belts and rethink some spending.

One candidate said, “commercials were on his wish list, but when we make decisions we have to look at the utility and cost of what we’re doing. We were blessed to be able to get a billboard, but we still have a lot of posters, flyers, and other paper- based products.”

You might also be interested in: 2008 SGA elections go down to the wire

"100" calls to say thanks

Some donors to the Marching 100 "Road to Washington Campaign" were startled to answer the phone and find a member of the band on the other end of the line calling to say thanks.

One such donor reports receiving a call from an "actual [freshman] member of the "100". After she read the thank you statement, I had a chance to chat with her briefly about school. It was a nice and thoughtful gesture, the kind of thing that makes me want to continue giving."


You may also be interested in: 100rd performs at Inaugural

Teaching Gym almost finished

Construction on FAMU's new four-story teaching gym is nearing completion. The new facility will be home to FAMU’s physical education department and Rattler & Lady Rattler basketball teams. It will feature sports training and physical education training areas, a hydrotherapy pool, concession stands and ticket booths, interactive learning classrooms, athletic and physical education offices, an indoor track and an arena that will seat more than nine thousand.

For construction progress see: Gym progress

FAMU blogosphere growing

Since Rattler Nation first opened for business back in 2006, several more sites have joined FAMU’s blogosphere:

Capital Outlook

The Tallahassee community’s black-owned weekly is putting the finishing touches on its remodeled website. The new CapitalOutlook.com features blogs by Roosevelt Wilson, Vaugh Wilson, Stephanie Lambert, and Joe Bullard.

The Lens

This video blog serves as a window into life on FAMU's campus as captured by a student's camera.

Rattler News

Published by the Tallahassee Democrat, this site links viewers to the newspaper’s online coverage of FAMU sports.

Rattler Wire

As the official blog of FAMU’s Office of Public Relations, Rattler Wire provides photos and full-text from the university’s press releases.

CESTA News Buffet

FAMU's College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture serves up a delicious variety of academic updates, photos, and student/faculty profiles.

These blogs provide important forums for news, analysis, and debate on FAMU. We applaud the efforts and encourage all these bloggers to adopt “no trolling” policies. Too often, FAMU stories attract racist, vulgar, and outright mean-spirited posts. There’s a fine line between constructive criticism, which helps improve the university, and anti-FAMU spamming, which simply breeds resentment and mistrust.

Athletic deficit nearly doubles

FAMU trustees learned last week that the Athletic Department made nearly $8.1 million from July 2007 to June 30, 2008 against expenses of $9.7 million. The revenue shortfall created a one year deficit of nearly $1.7 million. This was added to the $2.61 million deficit the department already had. All told, the athletics now faces a total deficit of nearly $4.2 million.

Apples v. Oranges
“The program concluded one of its most successful football seasons in recent years,” FAMU’s Athletic Director William Hayes and Erica Wilcox, assistant director of athletics for business management, wrote in an overview letter included with the financial report.

“However, the financial success of the program is still having difficulty balancing the cost of competition with its anticipated revenues. The overall decline in revenues coupled with the increased cost of operating expenses has resulted in the deficit, ” the letter continued.

Shockingly, the recently concluded football season that Hayes and Wilcox wrote to FAMU trustees about in their letter didn't commence until early September 2008 and concluded on November 22, 2008 and didn't show up in the most recent financial report on the department.

Hayes said an aggressive marketing campaign is under way for the athletic programs, yet to date renewal forms to football season ticket holders have yet to be sent out.

Concessions will be changed to compete with external vendors, Hayes said. Hayes boasted a similar claim last year, yet game day concessions inside Bragg Stadium were worst this year not better.

To be fair, the financial report only covers the first six months of Hayes' tenure as athletic director.

N.C. development leaders seek Wright’s expertise

North Carolina's Piedmont Triad Region could soon establish a new school of architecture thanks to some help from a FAMU professor.

FAMU School of Architecture Dean Rodner Wright is co-directing a consulting team that will examine the feasbility of bringing an architecture program to the area. His services were requested by the Piedmont Triad Partnership, an economic development alliance that represents the more than 1.5 million residents in the Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point metros.

"Our industry leaders have difficulty finding fully- trained architects in our region and the prospects for developing a pipeline are slim," says Margaret Collins, Piedmont Triad Partnership's Creative Enterprises and the Arts Director.

Wright’s expertise will be particularly helpful since the proposed architecture school would likely attract large numbers of students from nearby HBCUs such as North Carolina A&T, Bennett College, and Winston-Salem State. There’s also the possibility that the new school could be run by a HBCU.

The consulting team is scheduled to make recommendations in mid-May.

FAMU launches redesigned homepage

Without much fanfare FAMU officially launched its new online presence on Feb. 12 with a redesigned home page. The new FAMU.edu represents the culmination of efforts started over a year ago by a Web Strategy Task Force that involved broad consultation with the University community.

"We've been deliberate about taking the time to get feedback from the entire campus community, and have modified the site to meet the needs of our diverse users," said a university official who wished to remain unnamed. "That dialogue will continue after we launch the site."

The core Web site is intended to convey a better sense of Florida A&M University through new and updated content and more pictures, while retaining an emphasis on frequently refreshed news content. The new design and navigational structure make it easier for users -- internal and external -- to find Web content.

The new home page replaces a design the University has had since 2005; the University has had an official Web presence since 1993.

Lawson mounts election challenge to Boyd

It’s official. FAMU alumnus and state Sen. Alfred “Al” Lawson plans to challenge Congressman Allen Boyd in 2010.

Sources close to Lawson tipped off reporters last Thursday. But, Lawson himself waited until this week to confirm his intentions.

Lawson came out swinging. He criticizes Boyd for supporting former U.S. President George W. Bush’s Wall Street bailout and voting against current U.S. President Barack Obama’s stimulus package.

As a self-described Blue Dog (or fiscal conservative) Democrat, Boyd frequently votes across party lines to shoot down what he sees as excessive government spending.

While Boyd has $1.2 million on hand from his previous campaign, Lawson still has the potential to be a formidable candidate.

In his more than 25 years as a state legislator, Lawson has attracted widespread support from the thousands of white-collar state employees in Tallahassee, whose jobs he has fought to protect against GOP-led cuts.

Through his long-running efforts to increase law enforcement office budgets throughout the Big Bend, he’s also amassed favor with many politically influential sheriffs and county commissioners.

And, as state Senate Democratic Leader, Lawson his picked up many IOUs by raising campaign money for his colleagues.

At 22 percent of the Congressional district’s voting population, Big Bend blacks will play a critical role in the election. Boyd is reminding constituents about how he’s secured millions in grant money for FAMU. However, Lawson’s long record of supporting FAMU will be another problem for the incumbent.

Lawson has thwarted numerous attempts to push FAMU out of the joint College of Engineering it operates with Florida State University and played a central role in bringing in money for projects such as the new teaching gymnasium and Developmental Research School building.

Lawson plans to formally file for candidacy and open a campaign account in the coming weeks.

Boyd opts against U.S. Senate run

Legislature owes FAMU $573,643 for matching gifts

In response to declining tax revenue, the Florida legislature froze the state’s Matching Gift Program last year. Today, it owes FAMU $573,643.

The Major Gifts Challenge Program, established in 1979, is a public-private partnership that rewards state universities for their success in private fundraising.

The matching scale is as follows:

$100,000 to $599,999 50%
$600,000 to $1,000,000 70%
$1,000,001 to $1,500,000 75%
$1,500,001 to $2,000,000 80%
$2,000,001 or more 100%

The funds are only available for academic and research programs; they cannot be spent on construction, building renovation/maintenance, or athletics. A $15 million matching grant is the ceiling for any single, endowment contribution.

From 1979 to 2004, FAMU brought in $28,235,861 in eligible private donations that qualified it for a total of $15,956,310 in matching money. The overall sum, $44,192,171, was the seventh best performance in the State University System and placed FAMU ahead of UNF, UWF, FGCU, and NCF.

There is no word on when the legislature will start paying its outstanding matching gift balances.

Growth strategy essential to FAMU’s financial health

With FAMU preparing to face up to $12 million in additional budget cuts next year, it’s important for Rattlers to understand the limited options the university has for generating new revenue.

Lobbying for more general education funds from the legislature: A longshot.

Florida’s budget continues to shrink by billions each year because the state’s two prinicipal sources of revenue, sales and property taxes, are bleeding.

Sales tax collections are down as a result of recent tax cuts and the economic crisis, which means consumers are spending less. Home foreclosures have blown a hole through the property tax base.

While the the GOP-led legislature is slowly warming up to proposals to close special interest tax loopholes, the ice isn't melting fast enough. From all indications, the higher education cuts will get much worse before they get better.

Tuition/fee hikes: Not a chance.

Most of FAMU’s students come from low-income families. When tuition and fees rise, they simply enroll in fewer courses. That trend puts FAMU’s state enrollment appropriations in danger since the legislature funds students based on credit hours rather than the total headcount.

Outsourcing more auxiliary services: A drop in the bucket.

Asking outside companies to provide more of the on-campus student services won’t even begin to cover the multi-million dollar cuts that academic departments are facing. And with students spending less money in response to their own tight budgets, the outside vendors would likely be very disappointed with the return on their investment.

Fundraising: It will help – but not enough.

With Wall Street still limping, many companies have slashed down their donation budgets. FAMU alumni and friends are also experiencing pain in their pockets. With everyone cutting back, the university can’t rely on fundraising to help it stay afloat.

Enrollment increases: The most viable option.

When FAMU takes in more students, it brings more tuition and fees into the coffers. Growth is an especially good idea now that most of Florida’s public universities have capped admissions.

The state’s enrollment funding formula prioritizes growth, which means that revenue stream has become stagnant for all the SUS members that froze their enrollments. FAMU is in a perfect position to take a larger piece of that funding pie.

FAMU’s administration expects to enroll 1,000 more students next year, bringing FAMU close to 14,000. The larger the freshman/transfer numbers are, the better FAMU’s financial picture will be.

Supporting increases in the Hope tuition tax credit and Pell Grant: Two great ways to aid FAMU’s best option.

Based on one of U.S. President Barack Obama's campaign proposals, the Congressional stimulus bill will expand the Hope tuition tax credit from $1,800 to $2,500 and make it partially refundable.

$2,500 would cover more than 75 percent of full-time, in-state undergraduate tuition at FAMU, which is about $3,274. The affordable in-state tuition rate is also available to students in Alabama and the District of Columbia.

The stimulus bill also calls for the maximum Pell Grant award to be increased by $500 to a total of $5,350 on July 1 and $5,550 next year. Most Pell-eligible students come from families that make only $40,000 per year, which about the average family income for FAMU's students.

The net result: FAMU could shift much of its current financial aid budget to other critical areas while receiving an overall revenue bump from tuition and state funding stemming from enrollment growth. The financial aid will also help FAMU's graduation rate by permitting more students to enroll full-time and finish their studies in six years.

If the proposed tax credit and Pell Grant increases are become realities, however, FAMUans need to get out and lobby for them. All FAMUans should also call/email their local Congressional representatives and U.S. senators and ask them to vote for the initiatives.

Obama’s college plan could help FAMU reach 15,000

FAMU enhances retention program

Although FAMU’s retention rate is better than most of its national peer institutions (HBCU and non-HBCU), President James Ammons is not satisfied. So as part of an effort to help more FAMU students remain in college, he’s appointed a new director of retention in the Office of Academic Affairs.

William E. Hudson, Jr. comes from Florida State University, where he was associate director of the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE). He is a FAMU alumnus and adjunct instructor.

In his new position, Hudson will work with the large body of support programs that FAMU’s School of General Studies already offers for retention. They include: The Undergraduate Experience Program, Center for Academic Advisement and Student Support, Office of Accountability Retention and Academic Progression Programs, Evening and Weekend College, College Preparatory Program, Academic Study Skills Center, and Student Support Services Program.

At FAMU, Hudson will take on a challenge that is much different than what he faced at FSU.

The Office of Institutional Research has compared FAMU’s retention rate with peer institutions (which currently include UNF, UWF, Howard, the University of Texas-Arlington, and University of California-Riverside) for years. A recent study found that FAMU’s retention rates are still above the average for its peer group.

Most FAMU students do remain enrolled and finish their degrees.

Graduation rates are a different problem because most FAMU students do not have enough money to take a full course load every semester.

FSU can grant black students much more financial aid because its overall student body is much wealthier than FAMU’s (and because its black freshman numbers are dropping).

The majority of FAMU’s students come from low-income backgrounds and enroll in fewer classes whenever tuition rises due to their lack of funds. That means FAMU has much less money for financial aid.

Two of Hudson’s likely priorities will be increasing the student body’s awareness of its financial aid options and helping students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early and annually. In a report to the Board of Governors last month, Ammons pointed out that tens of thousands of Florida college students miss out on millions in financial aid because they don’t apply for it.

Leave "ranking game" rhetoric out discussion on FAMU’s grad rate

Ammons: $24M in student aid unclaimed

Former FAMU prez hopeful accused of “two-timing” AAMU

Alabama A&M University alum David Pearson, a columnist for the Huntsville Times, doesn’t like the fact that Lawrence Davenport is still interviewing to be AAMU’s president after he just took a new educational administration job in Rhode Island.

Davenport, Florida Atlantic University’s former executive vice-president for advancement, made the short list for FAMU’s presidency in 2006. While vying for the FAMU job, he left his FAU position and collected a controversial $577,950 payment.

Pearson has a big problem with Davenport’s actions:

If we're supposed to be dating, the last thing I expect is to see is you hugged up with some other guy. Especially not after telling me that you're ready to be mine for life, if I only ask.

Well, that's basically what's happened with Alabama A&M University and Dr. Lawrence Davenport. The university courted him for its top job and he consented to the courtship. He even went so far as to say at last Friday's campus meeting that he "would ask the board for a lifetime contract if I could."

Now we know that Davenport was only sweet-talking A&M's students, faculty and staff. The day before, it was announced that he was the new executive director and academic dean at the Times Squared Academy in Providence, R.I.

Where I come from, we call this two-timing. It's a classic player move: Tell one institution what it wants to hear while you're getting what you want from another.

Continue reading here.

FAMU alum featured in Black Enterprise

A FAMU alumnus’ savvy consumer skills have attracted national attention.

Tyre Sperling, a Los Angeles native currently residing in Atlanta, will be featured in the February 2009 edition of Black Enterprise magazine.

The article discusses how he took advantage of the current housing market by purchasing a home that was below the market price. It also takes a look at the process of purchasing a home and provides some advice from Sperling to first time homebuyers who are getting ready to go through the process of looking for a home.

“FAMU, and specifically the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication, provided caring and nurturing professors who had a genuine compassion and concern for my future,” Sperling said. “As a young African-American male, and at the age of 25, Black Enterprise was interested in featuring me and telling others my story about being able to realize the dream of homeownership and how it became possible for me.”

Sperling earned his bachelor’s in public relations at FAMU. He purchased his first home in September 2008, and works as a public relations specialist at United Parcel Service.

The proud FAMU alum feels the article is something that can be encouraging in a time of such financial hardship.

“During these tough financial and economical times we are living in, homeownership is still possible, especially for young African-Americans living in the South,” he said.

FAMUan editorial board mistakes summarization for “spin”

When an accountability report concerning a multi-million dollar public institution becomes available, the organization’s communications office frequently issues a press release that highlights the major issues.

The press release is not a substitute for the full report. It is a summary that is handed out with the expectation that news writers will use it as a reference while they read the detailed, full report for themselves.

Unfortunately, The FAMUan’s editorial board seems to have forgotten this.

Instead of fulfilling its duty to obtain and read FAMU’s 2009 operational audit on its own, the editorial board chose to complain that FAMU’s communications office did not list all the numerical figures from the 14 page audit in the 1-2 page press release.

As it criticized FAMU’s administration, the editorial board cited operational audit numbers that were reported by the Tallahassee Democrat.

The Democrat received the same press release as The FAMUan. How do the students think the Democrat got those specific figures?

Answer: The Democrat’s staff did its job. It read the full report.

Had FAMU refused to provide copies of the operational audit, The FAMUan would have a legitimate complaint. But, it does not because FAMU made the report available. The full report was also posted on the Florida Auditor General’s website. No FAMU or state official tried to keep it hidden.

If FAMU’s public relations team had reprinted every number and table from the full operational audit in the press release, then that would have defeated the purpose of summarizing.

It is not the FAMU communication office’s job to write news stories. Before complaining that it does not have all the pertinent information, The FAMUan’s editorial board should make sure that it has requested all the relevant documents and read them thoroughly.

Fla. Senate must hold BOG accountable

Florida’s Board of Governors has a serious problem with being open and holding itself to the same standards it preaches for the rest of the State University System.

The latest incident involves reports that BOG Chairwoman Sheila McDevitt has held behind-the-scenes talks with Florida State University about changing FAMU’s role in the joint College of Engineering.

"She is pushing the issue to still separate the school,” said Florida Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson in yesterday’s Tallahassee Democrat. “It’s a lot of secretive-type things going on right now.”

When confronted, McDevitt responded with very vague language about her intentions.

“I’ve had all manners of meetings. That’s what we do — we talk with each other,” she said.

McDevitt’s failure to give straight-talk on this issue speaks volumes.

FAMU and FSU are equal partners in the joint E-College. That means the BOG should treat both schools equally. One university should not get to discuss or plan management structure changes with the BOG without its partner’s knowledge.

This matter appears to be part of a larger problem with below-board shenanigans on the part of the BOG.

The BOG was very loud in criticizing FAMU’s past financial issues in front of the press (even while making lame excuses for former Interim President Castell Bryant). But, the board was very quiet when state auditors found multi-million dollar problems in its own house. In October, auditors reported that the BOG did not fulfill all the required statutory obligations before it disbursed two grants totaling $23.25 million to the University of Florida.

The board’s FAMU task force, funded with $1 million in state funds, came under fire earlier this year from state senators who questioned whether the BOG had wasted the money.

Some lawmakers also raked Chancellor Mark Rosenberg over the coals for "requesting" money from public university foundations to pad his $231,750 salary and provide perks such as a car allowance.

Recently, media reports also revealed that the BOG's new “president-in-residence,” John Delaney of the University of North Florida, will have a role making funding recommendations for the State University System.

That presents a potentially troubling issue. Every year, public universities compete against one another for funding and programs. Now, UNF’s president may get direct input into which project proposals from competing universities make it into the BOG’s system-wide legislative request.

The Florida Senate, which has done the best job of directing tough questions to the BOG, needs to hold hearings on these matters before the situation spins further out-of-control. It’s time for answers.

Audit uncovers problems with BOG operations

Delaney sees no problem leading both UNF and SUS

St. Pete Times funny pages: McDevitt asked about accountability

Lawson to McDevitt: Come clean on E-College

State Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson, who’s thwarted numerous attempts to push FAMU out of the joint College of Engineering it operates with Florida State University, is rolling up his sleeves for another fight.

The Tallahassee Democrat is reporting that Lawson has criticized Board of Governors Chairwoman Sheila McDevitt for holding behind-the-scenes talks with FSU about changing the E-College’s joint structure.

"She is pushing the issue to still separate the school,” Lawson said. “It’s a lot of secretive-type things going on right now.”

McDevitt responded with very vague language about her intentions.

“I’ve had all manners of meetings. That’s what we do — we talk with each other,” she said.

In the past, when FSU has tried to muscle FAMU out of the E-College, the BOG has remained silent. The board’s failure to challenge such actions has led many FAMUans to believe the BOG is just fine with letting FSU run the E-College all by itself.

Check tomorrow's Rattler Nation for full coverage and analysis.

Opinion: Fix Florida’s tax code – now

There’s good news and bad news for Florida in federal stimulus bill.

The bad news: Congress won’t bail out public education systems that are starved by state legislators who refuse to step up and find more revenue. The good news: Florida’s lawmakers now have an additional incentive to fix the tax code that’s remained broken for years.

The “State Fiscal Stabilization Fund” in the stimulus package sets aside $3.5 billion to help Florida’s public schools. But there's a condition: the state must first show that it can fund its K-12 and higher education institutions at 2005-2006 levels up until 2011.

That’s a big problem. Florida has chopped its education budget down to the bone during the past several legislative sessions.

State Sen. Evelyn Lynn, who heads the higher education appropriations committee, blamed the recent economic downturn. She avoided mentioning that, beginning in 1994, the state GOP handed multi-billion dollar tax breaks to wealthy special interests. Rather than revisit those tax exemptions, the legislature has preferred to cut school spending.

Florida needs to come up with $600 million for its public schools in order to qualify for the education stimulus funds. Gov. Charlie Crist should immediately call a special session to obtain that revenue. Congress should also give states like Florida an extended deadline to satisfy the “maintenance of effort” rule.

FAMU alumnus and state Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson recently introduced a proposal that could produce two-thirds of the required money. By closing the “combined reporting” loophole, which helps multi-state corporations avoid paying taxes in Florida, Lawson believes lawmakers could generate $400 million annually.

A modest review of other tax loopholes tailored exclusively for high-end developers and non-Florida based corporations could create the remaining $200 million.

Instead of crying foul and lobbying Congress to strike the “maintenance of effort” requirement, Florida’s legislative leaders should simply restore some of the public school money they gave away to the state’s wealthiest individuals and companies.

With Bushes gone, Fla. GOP warms to tax reform

Lawson urges governor to reject budget and recall legislators

Lawson decries GOP’s rejection of “financial lifeline”

Lawson to GOP: Stop taxing the little guy!

Opinion: Audit further discredits smear campaign against Ammons

When James Ammons applied for FAMU’s presidency in 2006, he faced a vicious smear campaign coordinated by individuals who tried to deliberately confuse the public about his performance record as a university manager.

Throughout the period that Ammons served as provost to former FAMU President Frederick S. Humphries, FAMU’s financial statement audits were clean, its operational audit findings were small, and all of its accreditation requirements were in order.

As chancellor of North Carolina Central University, Ammons continued to receive high marks from state auditors and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Still, the anti-Ammons crowd continued to fill internet and campus forums with distortions. They claimed he left a “financial mess” that former Interim President Castell Bryant was working to clean up.

Most Rattlers rejected those insults to their intelligence and rallied behind Ammons’ candidacy. Today, FAMU is getting good audits just like it did for 24 years before 2003. It’s also off SACS probation.

Unfortunately, Ammons and his financial team are still under attack from people who are desperate to depict FAMU in the worst possible light.

As soon as FAMU’s operational audit came out last month, the university was ridiculed for having seven findings. The hecklers ignored the fact that all Florida’s public universities had multiple citations, as well. FAU led with 22 and UF had the second most with 21.

Similarly, Ammons was blasted on the internet when news broke that NCCU had to repay $1,138,228 in financial aid that it distributed to students at an unauthorized satellite campus in Lithonia, Ga.

There was no mention of the fact that UF had to repay $8.6 million to the federal government in 2001 following an investigation into Medicare overbilling on its campus. UF officials said the settlement helped them steer clear of penalties that could have topped $65 million.

Capital Outlook Publisher Roosevelt Wilson recently summed up the problem when he said: “It appears that Florida A&M University in the view of some can do very little that is right without being shot down.”

FAMUans must continue to fight back against the lies and misrepresentations that are spread about the university’s finances, everyday. We know the truth; and so do the state auditors.

The full audit can be viewed here.

Cell phone problems common in SUS audits

Ammons sets record straight on state audit

Opinion: Audit rebuffs Bryant-Maxwell version of financial story

Ammons’ first operational audit shows dramatic turn-around

Ammons: $24M in student aid unclaimed

At last weeks’ Board of Governors meeting, FAMU President James Ammons brought startling news: Florida’s college students failed to claim $24 million in financial aid that was available to them. About 22,000 undergraduates who are eligible for the money did not apply.

“This is a huge number and when you see the kind of money that is being left on the table during these hard economic times, it’s obvious we have a communication problem,” Ammons said. “The development of a thorough communication strategy to let students know that there is aid out there is one of our main goals.”

Ammons reported the finding on behalf of the BOG’s Presidential Work Group on Financial Aid, which he chaired.

The report also sounded alarms concerning a price-sensitive group that is often overlooked in financial aid policy discussions. Ammons calls them “core” students.

This “core” group is made up of about 37,000 undergraduate students who come from families that make between $40,000 and $80,000, annually. Nearly half of the unmet financial need in the State University System is found within this group. “Core” students are hit especially hard by tuition increases because they not eligible for the Pell grants that go to their low-income peers. Many do not qualify for state merit-based programs such as the Bright Futures Scholarship, either.

Ammons called on state leaders to make more aid available to “core” students and create a communications strategy that encourages more students and families to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid early and annually.

Many believe that students and parents fail to complete the FAFSA because it's too long and complex. U.S. President Barack Obama has proposed eliminating the form altogether and, instead, giving parents the option to have their income tax data forwarded to the U.S. Department of Education. He's also pushing increases in Pell grants, federal loans, and a new American Opportunity Tax Credit that will provide $4,000 to college students in exchange for 100 hours of community service.

The availability and rate-of-participation in financial aid programs is of particular concern to FAMU, where most students come from low-income households. Low-income students tend to divide much of their time between studying and working, which means they take longer to graduate.

FAMU’s students generally respond to tuition hikes by enrolling in fewer classes due to their lack of funds. That trend put FAMU’s state enrollment appropriations in danger since the legislature funds students based on credit hours rather than the total headcount.

Opinion: Leave ranking game rhetoric out discussion of FAMU’s grad rate

Lawson, Graham flag hazards of differential tuition plan

Obama's college plan could help FAMU reach 15,000

Steeler Nation + Rattler Nation=One Nation

The Steelers stemmed a Cardinals comeback to secure their sixth Super Bowl victory by a score of 27-23 with a late drive with minutes remaining in regular time. No other team ever has won six Super Bowls.

Coach Mike Tomlin became the youngest coach ever, and only the second African-American, to win the Super Bowl. Rattler Nation salutes the Steeler Nation.

FAMU's Bob Hayes elected to NFL Hall of Fame

The long, slow wait to get into the NFL Hall of Fame ended Saturday for one of the fastest men to play in the NFL, Bob Hayes.

"Bullet Bob," the FAMU football and track great who went on to represent the USA in the 1964 Olympics winning gold in the 100-meters, and went on to star for a decade with the Dallas Cowboys, was elected, 28 years after first becoming eligible for induction.

Hayes who played for under the legendary FAMU coach Jake Gaither died in 2002, however he made sure his sister would be prepared if, somehow, he made it someday.

"He left a statement for me to read in case this day came," Lucille Hester said.

In the letter, Hayes thanked everyone who supported him, even those who may not have voted for him. He thanked teammates, everyone who played for the Cowboys — singling out Roger Staubach — and also thanked the San Francisco 49ers, with whom he finished his career.

Hayes paid tribute to his high school, Florida A&M and concluded by thanking his hometown of Jacksonville, Dallas and the state of Texas.

Earlier in the week Staubach said he was pulling for Hayes to get in and spoke about how his teammate revolutionized the passing game, changing the way defenses played. Staubach claimed Hayes would be the fastest player in the NFL if he were playing today.

One of Hayes' biggest supporters for induction was Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. In 2001, Jones made sure Hayes was inducted into the team's Ring of Fame.

"This is a deserving honor for one of the Cowboys' most truly gifted stars," Jones said. "We all know he changed the game on the field, but he also brought a unique star quality to the NFL that helped make professional football the most popular sport in the world. He was a world champion in two different sports, and he had a world-class heart."This is a great day for Bob Hayes' legacy, his family and the Dallas Cowboys."

Hayes twice led the NFL in touchdown receptions and in average yards per catch. He also was a terrific kick returner.

At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Hayes won the 100 meters, tying the world record of 10.05 seconds. He anchored the U.S. 400-meter relay team to victory in a world-record 39.06. Hayes' relay split was a sensational 8.6 seconds. That speed translated to the football field.

Hayes' formal induction will take place Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio.

You might also be interested in: Bob Hayes: An American Hero

OT: To heck with S.B. commercials

Youtube spoofs of Beyonce's Single Lady & T.I.'s You Can Have Whatever You Like videos with a Presidential twist. Its quite funny.

PR students join VS Pink team

Ashley Blakely, Lindsey Johnson, and Jasmin Grant are all smiles about their new job opportunity. The three FAMU students were recently named campus ambassadors for the Victoria’s Secret PINK HBCU Collegiate Collection.

The young women were chosen from almost 200 lady Rattlers who submitted cover letters, resumes, and photos in hopes of becoming the first brand ambassadors for the university. As campus representatives they will work about 10 hours per week and will organize street teams that can help them generate awareness about the FAMU PINK brand.

Blakely, Johnson and Grant are all majoring in public relations in the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. They plan to use the knowledge they’ve gained from the classroom to ignite interest in VS products.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to intern with VS PINK and to represent the line,” said Johnson, who has aspirations of a career in fashion and entertainment. “I am a fan of the clothing and I love the combination of representing my school in both a professional and fashionable way.”

The first project for the ambassadors is the “Design-A-Tee” initiative. The programs will give FAMU students the opportunity to design a T-shirt that could eventually be sold in Victoria’s Secret PINK stores across the nation. The campus interns have devised a plan of action and activities to encourage fellow Rattlers to take part in the competition, which will be released in the upcoming weeks.

Individuals can go to vspink.com and Facebook to get updates on the campus representatives and their events including the VS PINK pop up store, spring tour and Design-A-Tee program.