Mangum could go on administrative leave as early as Sept. 15

FAMU President Elmira Mangum might soon go on an administrative leave that could begin September 15 and continue through the end of her contract on April 1, 2017.

Yesterday, the Board of Trustees (BOT) Special Committee on Presidential Leadership unanimously approved a proposed exit plan that had been developed after consultations with an attorney representing Mangum. The full BOT will discuss the recommendation at its next meeting scheduled for September 15 in Tallahassee.

According to the Florida Times-Union, “under the agreement, Mangum would still be eligible for a one-year sabbatical and tenured faculty position after that. The Board of Trustees would also pay her moving expenses to vacate the president’s mansion up to $7,500, as well as a portion of her attorney’s fees, anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000. Mangum would let trustees know by October 2017 if she did not want to take the faculty position.”

Committee members Thomas Dortch Jr., Faculty Senate President Betty Grable, David Lawrence Jr., and Belvin Perry Jr. all voted in favor of the proposal. “Interim” Student Body President Jaylen Smith, who was also appointed to serve on the committee, wasn’t present and didn’t participate via conference call.