For the first time in 29 years, FAMU is not being represented by Alfred “Al” Lawson in the state legislature. Lawson reached the height of his power between 2001 and 2010 as a member of the Florida Senate. He used that position to steer hundreds of millions of construction dollars into FAMU’s coffers. But unfortunately, his efforts to help FAMU were often frustrated by the actions of bad trustees who made bad decisions for the university.
The Florida housing market was booming during most of Lawson’s tenure in the Senate. That pumped big money into Florida’s Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) Fund, which comes from utility taxes. Lawson fought hard to make sure FAMU got its fair share of PECO dollars.
The FAMU PECO projects Lawson guided through the legislature between 2001 and 2010 include: the College of Law Building in Orlando, School of Journalism and Graphic Communication Building, New Developmental Research School, Multi-Purpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium, University Commons Renovation, Gore Education Complex Remodeling, Jones Hall Remodeling, Tucker Hall Remodeling, Pharmacy Phase II, and FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Building Phase III.
Lawson was prevented from getting even more PECO money for FAMU because the university’s Board of Trustees brought in presidents in 2002 and 2005 who did not spend all the PECO funds FAMU was given.
Back in 2004, Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed $38.5M Lawson netted for the new gym because then-President Fred Gainous failed to spend the first $11M appropriated during the previous year. Lawson had to spend the next legislative session trying to get that lost money reauthorized.
A group of trustees that included Bill Jennings, R.B. Holmes, Jr., and Mary Diallo made the situation even worse in 2005 when they hired Castell V. Bryant as the interim president.
During the year 2007, Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed $7.5M Lawson secured for Pharmacy Phase II. Neither Gainous nor Castell had spent the $2M in planning money for the new building since the funds had been appropriated in 2003.
Florida’s housing market is now on life support and PECO dollars are scarce. FAMU will be lucky if it even receives $3M toward the $9M it needs to continue critical electrical and technology upgrades on campus. FAMU needs another $8M to continue those upgrades in 2012-2013.
If Lawson had not had to spend so much time and effort securing reauthorization for millions that should have already been spent years ago, he could have gotten money for other important projects. FAMU would probably already have the funds it needs for priorities like the Dyson Pharmacy Building Remodeling ($17M) and new Student Affairs Building ($32M). Lawson also wanted to get FAMU a building for its future College of Dental Medicine.
FAMUans can thank the trustees who nearly ran the university into the ground during the years before President James H. Ammons arrived for the numerous missed opportunities to use Lawson’s clout.