The FAMU alumni in the Florida Legislature
have let the BOG run all over their alma mater since 2015. They are still silent in the aftermath of BOG-supported changes that led to FAMU losing control
of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering (COE) budget after 28 years, BOG member
Norman Tripp talking to FAMU administrators in a condescending way, and FAMU’s
alumni being reduced to a minority in the 11 appointed university Board of
Trustees seats.
FAMU used to have much stronger alumni legislators like
Carrie P. Meek and Al Lawson who didn’t back down when the former Board of
Regents (BOR) did things that were harmful to the school.
Meek and Lawson made sure that FAMU kept control of the COE budget after the deal that was struck in 1987 and didn’t sit back quietly when BOR members talked down to the FAMU president.
FAMU needs alumni like Meek and Lawson in the state capitol,
again.
The current FAMU alumni in the Florida Legislature include: Rep. Bobby Powell, Rep. Mia Jones, Rep. Shevrin Jones, Rep. Alan Williams, Sen. Dwight Bullard, and Sen. Arthenia Joyner.
From “Regents’ treatment of FAMU president draws protests”
in the St. Petersburg Times, May 26, 1988:
Florida A&M University (FAMU) supporters, including several black legislators, have criticized the Board of Regents and State University System Chancellor Charles Reed for their treatment of FAMU President Frederick Humphries over audit problems in the school's athletic department.Reed and other regents members were sharply critical, and condescending in some critics’ eyes, when they discussed their concern about the audit with Humphries at a meeting May 12.“You may have problems, you may want things corrected, but you don't talk to him like he was a little boy,” said state Sen. Carrie Meek, D-Miami. “You don't let it be a demeaning thing.”The critics said the board was within its rights to complain about the management of athletic-ticket operations at FAMU, but they said the board was rude to Humphries and would never treat a white college president the same way.The school has been unable to account for $17,000 in ticket revenue from 1987.Reed defended his actions, saying Tuesday the board treated Florida Atlantic President Helen Popovich the same way last year when the regents learned of irregularities in the school's purchasing department.But Ms. Meek recalled a 1982 audit that showed Florida State University had knowingly generated an illegal $2.8-million deficit.“I saw a different standard,” said Ms. Meek. “One can't help but make an inference where the standard is different.”Rep. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, agreed.“I’d feel, on a personal basis, that the board and Charlie Reed owe President Humphries an apology,” said Lawson.