Sinking Sand!!! We must move forward expeditiously to legally get Challis Lowe removed from the BOT. She seems to be the only one continuing to cover up the mess that CVB has made at FAMU. On another note, why did Castell go before the Editorial Board and let the public in on her level of ignorance. I thought that she should have kept that an in-house FAMU secret. What a shame? Can a few us gather and develop Plan of Action to get her removed from the "Hills od our Dear Alma Mater"?
It is wayyyyy... past time for those who are concerned about the future of FAMU to move to action.
It is obvious that the chair of the Board of Governors (Carolyn Roberts) is backing the destruction of FAMU as well as the chancellor of the State University System, Mark Rosenberg (back door deal to replace Debra Austin as chancellor) and the governor.
What these people are counting on with the assistance of Castell and Corbin is that we have been neutralized/silenced and will not come together against the common enemy long enough to stop fighting amongst ourselves.
I believe that we as Rattlers and supporters of FAMU are much more savvy and intelligent than these individuals give us credit for. With that said, Rev. Miles always said FAMU must stand forever, no matter the foe, well the FOE is in our house NOW, and we must get them out of our house by any means necessary.
I challenge a 1,000 Rattlers to begin today to contact the following destroyers of FAMU and demand that a new president is seated by December 2006; demand that the faculty and staff rights are respected through the collective bargaining agreement; and demand that our future, FAMU students are given the respect, support and nuturing environment to develop into future leaders of our society; and demand that John Franco, Department of Education, Inspector General, under Derry Harper's supervision and oversight, Florida Chief Inspector General, begin the investigation into why the university went from a $11 million surplus as reported by Castell Bryant in October 2005 to a $10.4 million dollar loss, as well as, impeding the investigation of these allegations by the FAMU inspector general and assistant inspector general who have consequently been placed on administrative leave; and finally and investigation into the relationship of Challis Lowe and the Hollins Group and why they were given a no bid contract.
The Governor, the chair of BOG and the Chancellor are culpable and should ultimately be held responsible.
FAMU was not a dragon that needed to be slayed/destroyed by Castell Bryant and Challis Lowe the self appointed dragonslayers.
Contact these appointed and elected officials today, tomorrow, and forever until we get some results. They can no longer refuse to answer those that represent us at the UFF bargaining table, the elected SGA officials or even the few alumni who have been writing. Let's do this en masse and copied our elected senators, congresspersons, legislators and even the media if you feel compelled to do so.
We go on record TODAY, to say enough is enough!
The Honorable Jeb Bush Governor The Capitol 400 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 jeb.bush@myflorida.com Phone: 850/488/7146 Fax: 850-487-0801
Mark Rosenberg Chancellor State University System of Florida 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1614 Tallahassee, FL 32399 (850) 245-0466 (850) 245-9685 Fax Chancellor@flbog.org
Let's take this fight to the streets. They are counting on the proud, faithful, die-hard Rattlers to continue to complain and fight amongst ourselves. Let's take this fight to their houses and let's see how that like the negative media and press that will follow in the wake of them sitting quietly while FAMU is destroyed. These individuals know that they appointed several of the most destructive individuals to sit on our board. Roberts and Bush should be held accountable for their appointees.
Jeb Bush continues to make back door deals with James Corbin and Castell Bryant. This is information that Corbin sprews like poison to whomever will listen that Jeb listens to and follows his lead on any and everything dealing with FAMU, including keeping competent individuals from serving on our board of trustees.
This is a call to action if you care and love FAMU!
Did anyone else but me notice that the students all of a sudden are buunched up in the Sopohmore years (after Humphries)? Was there a change in classification or are FAMU students not progressing through to graduation as before? ... hmmmm, starting to look like a two-year college! I wonder what (or who, or better yet, what type of credentials!) would cause this?
7/24/06 Tallahasee Democrat Editorial - Let FAMU's Interim President Do her Job: A response
Rev. Hobbs,
You would do better and taking care of those things that concern your vocation than support a woman who doesn't have the qualification to run a department much less a major university. Her qualifications, thinking processes, humanity and faith have all been called into question by people who have more than just an opinion. They are people with power and influence that have called for an investigation of Saint Castell's actions. It is foolhardy for a man of your stature in the community to base his opinion on one document and one conversation with someone who is pining for dwindling public support. If this woman is so righteous; why is she being currently investigated by state authorities? Why has she violated the law (the Sunshine State Laws) on so many numerous occassions in the way that she has terminated so many? Why is the school settling law suits totaling in the millions? Could it be that Castell is as wrong as to left shoes? Why has Rev Holmes ( a Pastor of considerable clout, respect, and influence) changed his tune about her wonderful performance as Interim President? The fact is that Castell and Lowe have relied on the fact that Black folks suffer from this perpetual self doubt, a overall collective negative self image, and the apathetic (and sometimes antagonistic) stance perpetrated against FAMU by the broader community in Tallahassee. I can't tell you how many times that I heard that FAMU was nothing more than a second highschool and a fifth rate university. If we let Castell conitnue her mess it will become all those things that some "folks" have been saying for years. FAMU is thought very little of by Jeb Bush and a Republican dominated Florida Legislature (and those who keep him and his boys in office). This has been crystal clear to the Black community as a whole for years. Would it seem so farfetched that a woman lacking the qualifications to run the school, with the poorest interpersonal skills, and with something to prove -insipidly destroy it from within? Did you really think that you'd get to the truth by asking the devil for it? It is too easy for us to talk about how rough change can be when you don't have to be on the receiving end of that "change". It is abundantly obvious that you have not been affected by Castell's "changes". You are a pastor-not a police officer-not an investigator-not even a university adminstrator nor an Inspector General. If people lie to the police; what would make you think that you'd get the truth for someone who is in the wrong and trying to hide their wrongdoings? I know it is a lot to ask of the Black church but, GET REAL and WAKE UP! My dear Rev. Hobbs, you must know the whole story before espousing sophomoric rantings that give the appearance that you have no idea what you are talking about. FAMU is in turmoil and that's turmoil spelled C A S T E L L and L O W E.
Your well written article painted the picture of a devil passing as a saint (in your eyes); you left no space to say that your judgement/arguement could be wrong. If the truth be known; you wouldn't be the first African American Pastor to be out of touch with the Black community. Many Negroes stood up against Martin Luther King, Jr. and fought the civil rights movement tooth and nail but, as "luck" would have it truth won in the end. This will be no exception to the rule. You'll see that even the devil can fool the most sober of us all when he wants to and it would appear as though this has been done to you on a public level. Stick to what you do best-pastoring with the mind of an old plantation preacher.
Thank you for your insightful comments, Dr. Powell. I'm glad that you submitted your previous post as a letter to the Democrat. I know lots of people are continuing to read your posts on this site.
The comment "that a woman lacking..." Perhaps it's finally out-- a woman is firing, a woman is in charge, a woman is saying and doing things that are not liked. A woman... umm!! Is this really an attack on her because she is a woman making these hard decisions? Is it interesting that the "they" (bryant, lowe, austin, and others) are all women? At least the ones in the decision making shoes are women? Should they conduct themselves more like women, is that the real problem... that "they" should not tell men that they are fired, should not fire anyone unless they are told to do so by a man. Why is it that she can't do what she is doing and if she is doing what she is doing then it must be because a "man" (the governor) is telling her what to do? or other incompetent women are telling her what to do? I know some of the naysayers are not just men, but it doesn't change the ummm that the real problem was released with the slipping of the tongue-- "a woman lacking..." Perhaps these Black women are no longer suffering from the "perpetual self doubt" imposed on them by insecure men, they are making hard decisions and not looking to men for approval.
Please stop the tired attempts to paint all Bryant, Lowe, and Austin's critics as misogynists.
Bryant's bad administrative decisions have resulted in decreased enrollment, decreased research grants and contracts, and numerous financial accounting errors. Any person, man or woman, who inflicts such damage on FAMU needs to go.
Bryant and Austin were never qualified to lead FAMU. They are community college administrators. FAMU is NOT a community college. Bryant and Austin came in to FAMU with no experience supervising graduate education, working with research programs, or managing university-level athletics. That is not acceptable. FAMU's presidency and provost positions are not entry level jobs. This is a public university, not an intership.
Many of the FAMU professors who have blasted Bryant are women:
-Dr. Mary Diallo has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Barbara Thompson has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Bernadette Powell has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Adeline Evans has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
You need to start basing your opinions on the facts, rather than on irrational emotions.
Please stop the tired attempts to paint all Bryant, Lowe, and Austin's critics as misogynists.
Bryant's bad administrative decisions have resulted in decreased enrollment, decreased research grants and contracts, and numerous financial accounting errors. Any person, man or woman, who inflicts such damage on FAMU needs to go.
Bryant and Austin were never qualified to lead FAMU. They are community college administrators. FAMU is NOT a community college. Bryant and Austin came in to FAMU with no experience supervising graduate education, working with research programs, or managing university-level athletics. That is not acceptable. FAMU's presidency and provost positions are not entry level jobs. This is a public university, not an intership.
Many of the FAMU professors who have blasted Bryant are women:
-Dr. Mary Diallo has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Barbara Thompson has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Bernadette Powell has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Adeline Evans has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
You need to start basing your opinions on the facts, rather than on irrational emotions.
Perhaps these Black women are no longer suffering from the "perpetual self doubt" imposed on them by insecure men, they are making hard decisions and not looking to men for approval.
Or perhaps, one in particular is a MISANDRIST.
Although, I wouldn't paint all of these women with such a broad paintbrush, it does concern me as well as others, that one in particular does have a healthy dose of Man Hate, Woman Hate, just plain ole people hate. Especially those whom she feels threatened by.
Under the quise of FAMU, some of these meetings, appointments, business, and cussing outs conducted by this IP have been just plain ole MEAN.
Unprofessional, crude, crass, ill-breed, vulgar, etc. Lucky for Castell she is surrounded by one person that does has some decorum, Eva C. Wanton. But then again, Vivian Hobbs, as well as Liz McBride with their vulgars mouth pretty much negates any of the professionalism, class, and decorum Eva C. Wanton brings to the table.
RE: Bryant's bad administrative decisions have resulted in decreased enrollment, decreased research grants and contracts, and numerous financial accounting errors. Any person, man or woman, who inflicts such damage on FAMU needs to go.
The reality is that the aforementioned problems being laid at CB's feet were endemic at FAMU years and years before she ever arrived. Federal funding agencies had had it with FAMU---CB negotiated a deal to keep those doors open. (And researchers I've spoken to are still having problems with the dysfunctional Sponsored Research office. Bills still aren't being paid on time, vendors are unhappy, researchers are unable to buy equipment they need to proceed with their work.) As for the declining enrollment--the reality is the other state institutions have geared up their efforts to recruit minority students. Many people have cited Humprhries' success at recruiting NAt'l Achievement scholars, but does anyone know how he got the $$$$ to entice those students to come to FAMU? That would be worth looking into. Also, how many of these students graduated from FAMU? That would also be interesting to find out.
"Many people have cited Humprhries' success at recruiting NAt'l Achievement scholars, but does anyone know how he got the $$$$ to entice those students to come to FAMU?"
From the movers and shakers of Tallahassee (i.e. the Lewis State Bank folks and others) and other old money Florida folks (i.e. the Griffin Family and others) of which YOU have no idea about. Dr. Humphries was a member of an inner circle of wealthy Floridians that few were even aware of. His tapped generosly into that source for funding and he got what he asked for- money for his alma mater. If you don't know, then...you don't know!
Dr. Hump is a TRUE son of Florida, THAT's why he was able to do what he did for FAMU!
>>>Federal funding agencies had had it with FAMU---CB negotiated a deal to keep those doors open.<<<
Wrong again! Under Dr. Humphries, research dollars and grants were steadily increasing. In fact, FAMU had climbed to #3 among all Florida's public universities in research contracts and grants.
Under Dr. Gainous, FAMU continued its research grant progress. Over $100M came in in research contracts and grants during Gainous' two years.
FAMU's problems with NSF stemmed from Corbin's decision to pressure Gainous to fire all the senior officials in the controller's office. After that, FAMU's financial division descended into chaos because all the institutional financial knowledge was lost.
With the loss of the institutional financial knowledge, FAMU was unable to account for how it had spent millions in NSF grant money. Gainous and negotiated a settlement with NSF for approximately $1M.
When Bryant came in, she refused to honor the Gainous NSF settlement. She even threatened to get Jeb Bush involved to block NSF from claiming the money. NSF responded by issuing a letter that threatened to rescind all the money that it had given FAMU researchers. After that, Bryant finally agreed to a more expensive settelement ($1.5M). In addition to that financial penalty, FAMU also had to suffer through another on-campus NSF investigation and months of bad press because of Bryant's incompetence.
>>>As for the declining enrollment--the reality is the other state institutions have geared up their efforts to recruit minority students.<<<
Florida's predominantly white public universities have been stepping up their efforts to compete with FAMU for minority students ever since FAMU started it enrollment climb during the 1980s. They followed Humphries' footsteps by investing millions more into minority recruitment programs and scholarships.
However, FAMU's enrollment did not begin to decline until Bryant shut down the recruitment program. It's a simple financial issue. While FAMU the recruitment program that Humphries established was intact, FAMU's enrollment steadily grew. After Bryant destroyed the program, enrollment fell. Bryant went out of her way to help UF, FSU, USF, and all the other public universities close the gap on FAMU.
>>>Many people have cited Humprhries' success at recruiting NAt'l Achievement scholars, but does anyone know how he got the $$$$ to entice those students to come to FAMU? That would be worth looking into. Also, how many of these students graduated from FAMU?<<<
Humphries used a simple technique called fundraising. Humphries established relationships with companies that poured money into FAMU's foundation and recruitment program. In exchange, Humphries provided them with a steady line of highly qualified, minority college graduates who were ready to work.
Bryant done nothing to maintain the corporate relationships that Humphries established. This is particularly evident in her complete neglect of FAMU's Industry Cluster. Less fundraising means less money for recruitment and scholarships.
These are very simple financial issues. FAMU has sown less into its recruitment and research programs. As a result, it is reaping far less profit.
FAMU's problems with NSF stemmed from Corbin's decision to pressure Gainous to fire all the senior officials in the controller's office. After that, FAMU's financial division descended into chaos because all the institutional financial knowledge was lost.
With the loss of the institutional financial knowledge, FAMU was unable to account for how it had spent millions in NSF grant money. Gainous and negotiated a settlement with NSF for approximately $1M.
When Bryant came in, she refused to honor the Gainous NSF settlement. She even threatened to get Jeb Bush involved to block NSF from claiming the money. NSF responded by issuing a letter that threatened to rescind all the money that it had given FAMU researchers. After that, Bryant finally agreed to a more expensive settelement ($1.5M). In addition to that financial penalty, FAMU also had to suffer through another on-campus NSF investigation and months of bad press because of Bryant's incompetence
Let's not leave out the fact that FAMU is now on 5-years probation and NSF has established a FAMU-NSF hotline for fraud. Finally, the Honorable Liz McBride cursed the NSF Associate Inspector General out and further exacerbated the problem.
Some faculty haven'tt gotten additional proposals funded through NSF since then, however, the ice seems to be thawing. A couple of congresspersons and a Senator had to get involve to assist ourfaculty when Castell first came on board because their research projects were virtually shut-down and Castell would not allow them to spend any funds without her approval via Dr. Wanton.
Can you image waiting in the president office for approval signature on a daily basis for supplies (rats, gases, beakers, test tubes, etc) hours on end?
FAMU's problems with NSF stemmed from Corbin's decision to pressure Gainous to fire all the senior officials in the controller's office. After that, FAMU's financial division descended into chaos because all the institutional financial knowledge was lost.
With the loss of the institutional financial knowledge, FAMU was unable to account for how it had spent millions in NSF grant money. Gainous and negotiated a settlement with NSF for approximately $1M.
When Bryant came in, she refused to honor the Gainous NSF settlement. She even threatened to get Jeb Bush involved to block NSF from claiming the money. NSF responded by issuing a letter that threatened to rescind all the money that it had given FAMU researchers. After that, Bryant finally agreed to a more expensive settelement ($1.5M). In addition to that financial penalty, FAMU also had to suffer through another on-campus NSF investigation and months of bad press because of Bryant's incompetence
Let's not leave out the fact that FAMU is now on 5-years probation and NSF has established a FAMU-NSF hotline for fraud. Finally, the Honorable Liz McBride cursed the NSF Associate Inspector General out and further exacerbated the problem.
Some faculty haven'tt gotten additional proposals funded through NSF since then, however, the ice seems to be thawing. A couple of congresspersons and a Senator had to get involve to assist ourfaculty when Castell first came on board because their research projects were virtually shut-down and Castell would not allow them to spend any funds without her approval via Dr. Wanton.
Can you image waiting in the president office for approval signature on a daily basis for supplies (rats, gases, beakers, test tubes, etc) hours on end?
What is this constant nonsense about some loss of "institutional knowledge" as some BS excuse for our RECORDS not being balanced?
Is that supposed to be an exccuse for meaning that only 2-3 people had been maintaining all of our records in their heads ... Like some numbers runners or something?
Our records should ALWAYS be transparent to the point that a person could literally die at their desk, and we should be able to know where our records stand.
There was no loss of any "knowledge" ... Just a inexcusable continued tolerance for incompetence!
>>>There was no loss of any "knowledge" ... Just a inexcusable continued tolerance for incompetence!<<<
The state auditor general observed that the loss of institutional knowledge was a direct cause of the disarray in FAMU's financial division. If you have any doubts, just check out the state auditor general's FY 2003-2004 report for FAMU. It's right there in black and white.
Robert O'Kelley, V.K. Sharma, and Marie Shetty did indeed horde FAMU's institutional financial knowledge to themselves. They did so to try and protect themselves from being fired.
While there is no excuse for what those staffers did, their removals did directly result in the confusion that has wrecked havock throughout our financial division. That is simply a fact. We must recognize that fact in order to understand how FAMU's financial records got into the state that they are today.
>>>(And researchers I've spoken to are still having problems with the dysfunctional Sponsored Research office. Bills still aren't being paid on time, vendors are unhappy, researchers are unable to buy equipment they need to proceed with their work.)<<<
And that's exactly the way that Bryant seems to like it. She has not been supportive of research since she stepped into Lee Hall. She fired Phyllis Gray-Ray (who raised over $100M in research contracts and grants), slashed the Research Division's budget in half, and botched the Gainous NSF agreement.
Even Keith Jackson, who Bryant hired as VP of Research, has warned her that her actions are not helping the division. She told him to shut up unless he wanted to go to the unemployment line.
Bryant has an anti-research agenda. Pure and simple.
What is this constant nonsense about some loss of "institutional knowledge" as some BS excuse for our RECORDS not being balanced?
Good question. It first popped up to my knowledge in the auditor general's September 2004 audit under finding number 1. It seems from there it became a phrase coined by the media and others. I am not an auditor, but this was the AG's assessment of FAMU's financial statements and operations. Basically, it looks like (prior to terminating qualified people) there wasn't a transfer of knowledge to qualified people to pick up the slack and run with the ball in our financial operations. Emphasis on transfer and qualified personnel.
Look for this to pop up again, because the AG also chastised us for a huge waste of funds to hire an outside firm to temporarily stop the bleeding.
I hope that Alvin Bryant and the NAA has a solid Plan of Action to rid FAMU of Castell, Liz, Altha, Janie, Rufus, Vivian, Herb, Debra, Tromly, and all these mad people. Please, let us not forget the Mighty Challis. I am ready and willing to support any Strike to get them out of FAMU's affairs.
Corbin had very personal issues against O'Kelley, Sharma, and Shetty. They were on the personnel hit list that he developed before Gainous was hired. Corbin made Gainous agree to fire all three of them before pulling together the votes to hire him as president.
"I am ready and willing to support any Strike to get them out of FAMU's affairs."
We'll soon see just how serious you - and a whole lot of people out here - are about their school ... Because the ]NEXT plan(s) of action coming from the NAA are likely going to require you all putting your money where your mouths are this time!
"We're gonna see who's just blowin' smoke out here!"
Sinking Sand!!! We must move forward expeditiously to legally get Challis Lowe removed from the BOT. She seems to be the only one continuing to cover up the mess that CVB has made at FAMU. On another note, why did Castell go before the Editorial Board and let the public in on her level of ignorance. I thought that she should have kept that an in-house FAMU secret. What a shame? Can a few us gather and develop Plan of Action to get her removed from the "Hills od our Dear Alma Mater"?
ReplyDeleteIt is wayyyyy... past time for those who are concerned about the future of FAMU to move to action.
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious that the chair of the Board of Governors (Carolyn Roberts) is backing the destruction of FAMU as well as the chancellor of the State University System, Mark Rosenberg (back door deal to replace Debra Austin as chancellor) and the governor.
What these people are counting on with the assistance of Castell and Corbin is that we have been neutralized/silenced and will not come together against the common enemy long enough to stop fighting amongst ourselves.
I believe that we as Rattlers and supporters of FAMU are much more savvy and intelligent than these individuals give us credit for. With that said, Rev. Miles always said FAMU must stand forever, no matter the foe, well the FOE is in our house NOW, and we must get them out of our house by any means necessary.
I challenge a 1,000 Rattlers to begin today to contact the following destroyers of FAMU and demand that a new president is seated by December 2006; demand that the faculty and staff rights are respected through the collective bargaining agreement; and demand that our future, FAMU students are given the respect, support and nuturing environment to develop into future leaders of our society; and demand that John Franco, Department of Education, Inspector General, under Derry Harper's supervision and oversight, Florida Chief Inspector General, begin the investigation into why the university went from a $11 million surplus as reported by Castell Bryant in October 2005 to a $10.4 million dollar loss, as well as, impeding the investigation of these allegations by the FAMU inspector general and assistant inspector general who have consequently been placed on administrative leave; and finally and investigation into the relationship of Challis Lowe and the Hollins Group and why they were given a no bid contract.
The Governor, the chair of BOG and the Chancellor are culpable and should ultimately be held responsible.
FAMU was not a dragon that needed to be slayed/destroyed by Castell Bryant and Challis Lowe the self appointed dragonslayers.
Contact these appointed and elected officials today, tomorrow, and forever until we get some results. They can no longer refuse to answer those that represent us at the UFF bargaining table, the elected SGA officials or even the few alumni who have been writing. Let's do this en masse and copied our elected senators, congresspersons, legislators and even the media if you feel compelled to do so.
We go on record TODAY, to say enough is enough!
The Honorable Jeb Bush
Governor
The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
jeb.bush@myflorida.com
Phone: 850/488/7146
Fax: 850-487-0801
Carolyn Roberts
Chair, Board of Governors
115 Northeast Eighth Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34470
info@robertsflorida.com
Toll-Free: (800) 352-1261
Office: (352) 351-0011
Fax: (352) 351-8811
Mark Rosenberg
Chancellor
State University System of Florida
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1614
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 245-0466
(850) 245-9685 Fax
Chancellor@flbog.org
Let's take this fight to the streets. They are counting on the proud, faithful, die-hard Rattlers to continue to complain and fight amongst ourselves. Let's take this fight to their houses and let's see how that like the negative media and press that will follow in the wake of them sitting quietly while FAMU is destroyed. These individuals know that they appointed several of the most destructive individuals to sit on our board. Roberts and Bush should be held accountable for their appointees.
Jeb Bush continues to make back door deals with James Corbin and Castell Bryant. This is information that Corbin sprews like poison to whomever will listen that Jeb listens to and follows his lead on any and everything dealing with FAMU, including keeping competent individuals from serving on our board of trustees.
This is a call to action if you care and love FAMU!
FOREVER FAMU
Let's not forget Challis Lowe and Castell Bryant. We should also demand that they resign from their post.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have their information so that we can blow-up their phones, emails and faxes also.
Let the campaign begin!
Did anyone else but me notice that the students all of a sudden are buunched up in the Sopohmore years (after Humphries)? Was there a change in classification or are FAMU students not progressing through to graduation as before? ... hmmmm, starting to look like a two-year college! I wonder what (or who, or better yet, what type of credentials!) would cause this?
ReplyDelete7/24/06 Tallahasee Democrat Editorial - Let FAMU's Interim President Do her Job: A response
ReplyDeleteRev. Hobbs,
You would do better and taking care of those things that concern your vocation than support a woman who doesn't have the qualification to run a department much less a major university.
Her qualifications, thinking processes, humanity and faith have all been called into question by people who have more than just an opinion. They are people with power and influence that have called for an investigation of Saint Castell's actions.
It is foolhardy for a man of your stature in the community to base his opinion on one document and one conversation with someone who is pining for dwindling public support.
If this woman is so righteous; why is she being currently investigated by state authorities? Why has she violated the law (the Sunshine State Laws) on so many numerous occassions in the way that she has terminated so many? Why is the school settling law suits totaling in the millions? Could it be that Castell is as wrong as to left shoes? Why has Rev Holmes ( a Pastor of considerable clout, respect, and influence) changed his tune about her wonderful performance as Interim President?
The fact is that Castell and Lowe have relied on the fact that Black folks suffer from this perpetual self doubt, a overall collective negative self image, and the apathetic (and sometimes antagonistic) stance perpetrated against FAMU by the broader community in Tallahassee. I can't tell you how many times that I heard that FAMU was nothing more than a second highschool and a fifth rate university. If we let Castell conitnue her mess it will become all those things that some "folks" have been saying for years.
FAMU is thought very little of by Jeb Bush and a Republican dominated Florida Legislature (and those who keep him and his boys in office). This has been crystal clear to the Black community as a whole for years.
Would it seem so farfetched that a woman lacking the qualifications to run the school, with the poorest interpersonal skills, and with something to prove -insipidly destroy it from within? Did you really think that you'd get to the truth by asking the devil for it? It is too easy for us to talk about how rough change can be when you don't have to be on the receiving end of that "change". It is abundantly obvious that you have not been affected by Castell's "changes".
You are a pastor-not a police officer-not an investigator-not even a university adminstrator nor an Inspector General. If people lie to the police; what would make you think that you'd get the truth for someone who is in the wrong and trying to hide their wrongdoings? I know it is a lot to ask of the Black church but, GET REAL and WAKE UP!
My dear Rev. Hobbs, you must know the whole story before espousing sophomoric rantings that give the appearance that you have no idea what you are talking about. FAMU is in turmoil and that's turmoil spelled C A S T E L L and L O W E.
Your well written article painted the picture of a devil passing as a saint (in your eyes); you left no space to say that your judgement/arguement could be wrong. If the truth be known; you wouldn't be the first African American Pastor to be out of touch with the Black community.
Many Negroes stood up against Martin Luther King, Jr. and fought the civil rights movement tooth and nail but, as "luck" would have it truth won in the end.
This will be no exception to the rule. You'll see that even the devil can fool the most sober of us all when he wants to and it would appear as though this has been done to you on a public level.
Stick to what you do best-pastoring with the mind of an old plantation preacher.
Bern Powell
you can't even begin to make a determination based on 3 years data...anything you say now would be extremely inaccurate
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insightful comments, Dr. Powell. I'm glad that you submitted your previous post as a letter to the Democrat. I know lots of people are continuing to read your posts on this site.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up!
The comment "that a woman lacking..."
ReplyDeletePerhaps it's finally out-- a woman is firing, a woman is in charge, a woman is saying and doing things that are not liked. A woman... umm!!
Is this really an attack on her because she is a woman making these hard decisions? Is it interesting that the "they" (bryant, lowe, austin, and others) are all women? At least the ones in the decision making shoes are women? Should they conduct themselves more like women, is that the real problem... that "they" should not tell men that they are fired, should not fire anyone unless they are told to do so by a man. Why is it that she can't do what she is doing and if she is doing what she is doing then it must be because a "man" (the governor) is telling her what to do? or other incompetent women are telling her what to do?
I know some of the naysayers are not just men, but it doesn't change the ummm that the real problem was released with the slipping of the tongue-- "a woman lacking..."
Perhaps these Black women are no longer suffering from the "perpetual self doubt" imposed on them by insecure men, they are making hard decisions and not looking to men for approval.
To Anonymous @ 7/26/2006 1:15 AM:
ReplyDeletePlease stop the tired attempts to paint all Bryant, Lowe, and Austin's critics as misogynists.
Bryant's bad administrative decisions have resulted in decreased enrollment, decreased research grants and contracts, and numerous financial accounting errors. Any person, man or woman, who inflicts such damage on FAMU needs to go.
Bryant and Austin were never qualified to lead FAMU. They are community college administrators. FAMU is NOT a community college. Bryant and Austin came in to FAMU with no experience supervising graduate education, working with research programs, or managing university-level athletics. That is not acceptable. FAMU's presidency and provost positions are not entry level jobs. This is a public university, not an intership.
Many of the FAMU professors who have blasted Bryant are women:
-Dr. Mary Diallo has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Barbara Thompson has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Bernadette Powell has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Adeline Evans has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
You need to start basing your opinions on the facts, rather than on irrational emotions.
To Anonymous @ 7/26/2006 1:15 AM:
ReplyDeletePlease stop the tired attempts to paint all Bryant, Lowe, and Austin's critics as misogynists.
Bryant's bad administrative decisions have resulted in decreased enrollment, decreased research grants and contracts, and numerous financial accounting errors. Any person, man or woman, who inflicts such damage on FAMU needs to go.
Bryant and Austin were never qualified to lead FAMU. They are community college administrators. FAMU is NOT a community college. Bryant and Austin came in to FAMU with no experience supervising graduate education, working with research programs, or managing university-level athletics. That is not acceptable. FAMU's presidency and provost positions are not entry level jobs. This is a public university, not an intership.
Many of the FAMU professors who have blasted Bryant are women:
-Dr. Mary Diallo has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Barbara Thompson has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Bernadette Powell has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
-Dr. Adeline Evans has criticized Bryant's leadership. Is she a misogynist?
You need to start basing your opinions on the facts, rather than on irrational emotions.
Anonymous said... 7/26/2006 1:15 AM
ReplyDeletePerhaps these Black women are no longer suffering from the "perpetual self doubt" imposed on them by insecure men, they are making hard decisions and not looking to men for approval.
Or perhaps, one in particular is a MISANDRIST.
Although, I wouldn't paint all of these women with such a broad paintbrush, it does concern me as well as others, that one in particular does have a healthy dose of Man Hate, Woman Hate, just plain ole people hate. Especially those whom she feels threatened by.
Under the quise of FAMU, some of these meetings, appointments, business, and cussing outs conducted by this IP have been just plain ole MEAN.
Unprofessional, crude, crass, ill-breed, vulgar, etc. Lucky for Castell she is surrounded by one person that does has some decorum, Eva C. Wanton. But then again, Vivian Hobbs, as well as Liz McBride with their vulgars mouth pretty much negates any of the professionalism, class, and decorum Eva C. Wanton brings to the table.
Perception...........
RE:
ReplyDeleteBryant's bad administrative decisions have resulted in decreased enrollment, decreased research grants and contracts, and numerous financial accounting errors. Any person, man or woman, who inflicts such damage on FAMU needs to go.
The reality is that the aforementioned problems being laid at CB's feet were endemic at FAMU years and years before she ever arrived. Federal funding agencies had had it with FAMU---CB negotiated a deal to keep those doors open. (And researchers I've spoken to are still having problems with the dysfunctional Sponsored Research office. Bills still aren't being paid on time, vendors are unhappy, researchers are unable to buy equipment they need to proceed with their work.)
As for the declining enrollment--the reality is the other state institutions have geared up their efforts to recruit minority students.
Many people have cited Humprhries' success at recruiting NAt'l Achievement scholars, but does anyone know how he got the $$$$ to entice those students to come to FAMU? That would be worth looking into. Also, how many of these students graduated from FAMU? That would also be interesting to find out.
"Many people have cited Humprhries' success at recruiting NAt'l Achievement scholars, but does anyone know how he got the $$$$ to entice those students to come to FAMU?"
ReplyDeleteFrom the movers and shakers of Tallahassee (i.e. the Lewis State Bank folks and others) and other old money Florida folks (i.e. the Griffin Family and others) of which YOU have no idea about. Dr. Humphries was a member of an inner circle of wealthy Floridians that few were even aware of. His tapped generosly into that source for funding and he got what he asked for- money for his alma mater. If you don't know, then...you don't know!
Dr. Hump is a TRUE son of Florida, THAT's why he was able to do what he did for FAMU!
Sho' you right.
ReplyDelete>>>Federal funding agencies had had it with FAMU---CB negotiated a deal to keep those doors open.<<<
ReplyDeleteWrong again! Under Dr. Humphries, research dollars and grants were steadily increasing. In fact, FAMU had climbed to #3 among all Florida's public universities in research contracts and grants.
Under Dr. Gainous, FAMU continued its research grant progress. Over $100M came in in research contracts and grants during Gainous' two years.
FAMU's problems with NSF stemmed from Corbin's decision to pressure Gainous to fire all the senior officials in the controller's office. After that, FAMU's financial division descended into chaos because all the institutional financial knowledge was lost.
With the loss of the institutional financial knowledge, FAMU was unable to account for how it had spent millions in NSF grant money. Gainous and negotiated a settlement with NSF for approximately $1M.
When Bryant came in, she refused to honor the Gainous NSF settlement. She even threatened to get Jeb Bush involved to block NSF from claiming the money. NSF responded by issuing a letter that threatened to rescind all the money that it had given FAMU researchers. After that, Bryant finally agreed to a more expensive settelement ($1.5M). In addition to that financial penalty, FAMU also had to suffer through another on-campus NSF investigation and months of bad press because of Bryant's incompetence.
>>>As for the declining enrollment--the reality is the other state institutions have geared up their efforts to recruit minority students.<<<
Florida's predominantly white public universities have been stepping up their efforts to compete with FAMU for minority students ever since FAMU started it enrollment climb during the 1980s. They followed Humphries' footsteps by investing millions more into minority recruitment programs and scholarships.
However, FAMU's enrollment did not begin to decline until Bryant shut down the recruitment program. It's a simple financial issue. While FAMU the recruitment program that Humphries established was intact, FAMU's enrollment steadily grew. After Bryant destroyed the program, enrollment fell. Bryant went out of her way to help UF, FSU, USF, and all the other public universities close the gap on FAMU.
>>>Many people have cited Humprhries' success at recruiting NAt'l Achievement scholars, but does anyone know how he got the $$$$ to entice those students to come to FAMU? That would be worth looking into. Also, how many of these students graduated from FAMU?<<<
Humphries used a simple technique called fundraising. Humphries established relationships with companies that poured money into FAMU's foundation and recruitment program. In exchange, Humphries provided them with a steady line of highly qualified, minority college graduates who were ready to work.
Bryant done nothing to maintain the corporate relationships that Humphries established. This is particularly evident in her complete neglect of FAMU's Industry Cluster. Less fundraising means less money for recruitment and scholarships.
These are very simple financial issues. FAMU has sown less into its recruitment and research programs. As a result, it is reaping far less profit.
ReplyDeleteFAMU's problems with NSF stemmed from Corbin's decision to pressure Gainous to fire all the senior officials in the controller's office. After that, FAMU's financial division descended into chaos because all the institutional financial knowledge was lost.
With the loss of the institutional financial knowledge, FAMU was unable to account for how it had spent millions in NSF grant money. Gainous and negotiated a settlement with NSF for approximately $1M.
When Bryant came in, she refused to honor the Gainous NSF settlement. She even threatened to get Jeb Bush involved to block NSF from claiming the money. NSF responded by issuing a letter that threatened to rescind all the money that it had given FAMU researchers. After that, Bryant finally agreed to a more expensive settelement ($1.5M). In addition to that financial penalty, FAMU also had to suffer through another on-campus NSF investigation and months of bad press because of Bryant's incompetence
Let's not leave out the fact that FAMU is now on 5-years probation and NSF has established a FAMU-NSF hotline for fraud. Finally, the Honorable Liz McBride cursed the NSF Associate Inspector General out and further exacerbated the problem.
Some faculty haven'tt gotten additional proposals funded through NSF since then, however, the ice seems to be thawing. A couple of congresspersons and a Senator had to get involve to assist ourfaculty when Castell first came on board because their research projects were virtually shut-down and Castell would not allow them to spend any funds without her approval via Dr. Wanton.
Can you image waiting in the president office for approval signature on a daily basis for supplies (rats, gases, beakers, test tubes, etc) hours on end?
What a waste of valuable research time?
ReplyDeleteFAMU's problems with NSF stemmed from Corbin's decision to pressure Gainous to fire all the senior officials in the controller's office. After that, FAMU's financial division descended into chaos because all the institutional financial knowledge was lost.
With the loss of the institutional financial knowledge, FAMU was unable to account for how it had spent millions in NSF grant money. Gainous and negotiated a settlement with NSF for approximately $1M.
When Bryant came in, she refused to honor the Gainous NSF settlement. She even threatened to get Jeb Bush involved to block NSF from claiming the money. NSF responded by issuing a letter that threatened to rescind all the money that it had given FAMU researchers. After that, Bryant finally agreed to a more expensive settelement ($1.5M). In addition to that financial penalty, FAMU also had to suffer through another on-campus NSF investigation and months of bad press because of Bryant's incompetence
Let's not leave out the fact that FAMU is now on 5-years probation and NSF has established a FAMU-NSF hotline for fraud. Finally, the Honorable Liz McBride cursed the NSF Associate Inspector General out and further exacerbated the problem.
Some faculty haven'tt gotten additional proposals funded through NSF since then, however, the ice seems to be thawing. A couple of congresspersons and a Senator had to get involve to assist ourfaculty when Castell first came on board because their research projects were virtually shut-down and Castell would not allow them to spend any funds without her approval via Dr. Wanton.
Can you image waiting in the president office for approval signature on a daily basis for supplies (rats, gases, beakers, test tubes, etc) hours on end?
What a waste of valuable research time?
What is this constant nonsense about some loss of "institutional knowledge" as some BS excuse for our RECORDS not being balanced?
ReplyDeleteIs that supposed to be an exccuse for meaning that only 2-3 people had been maintaining all of our records in their heads ... Like some numbers runners or something?
Our records should ALWAYS be transparent to the point that a person could literally die at their desk, and we should be able to know where our records stand.
There was no loss of any "knowledge" ... Just a inexcusable continued tolerance for incompetence!
>>>There was no loss of any "knowledge" ... Just a inexcusable continued tolerance for incompetence!<<<
ReplyDeleteThe state auditor general observed that the loss of institutional knowledge was a direct cause of the disarray in FAMU's financial division. If you have any doubts, just check out the state auditor general's FY 2003-2004 report for FAMU. It's right there in black and white.
Robert O'Kelley, V.K. Sharma, and Marie Shetty did indeed horde FAMU's institutional financial knowledge to themselves. They did so to try and protect themselves from being fired.
While there is no excuse for what those staffers did, their removals did directly result in the confusion that has wrecked havock throughout our financial division. That is simply a fact. We must recognize that fact in order to understand how FAMU's financial records got into the state that they are today.
>>>(And researchers I've spoken to are still having problems with the dysfunctional Sponsored Research office. Bills still aren't being paid on time, vendors are unhappy, researchers are unable to buy equipment they need to proceed with their work.)<<<
ReplyDeleteAnd that's exactly the way that Bryant seems to like it. She has not been supportive of research since she stepped into Lee Hall. She fired Phyllis Gray-Ray (who raised over $100M in research contracts and grants), slashed the Research Division's budget in half, and botched the Gainous NSF agreement.
Even Keith Jackson, who Bryant hired as VP of Research, has warned her that her actions are not helping the division. She told him to shut up unless he wanted to go to the unemployment line.
Bryant has an anti-research agenda. Pure and simple.
What is this constant nonsense about some loss of "institutional knowledge" as some BS excuse for our RECORDS not being balanced?
ReplyDeleteGood question. It first popped up to my knowledge in the auditor general's September 2004 audit under finding number 1. It seems from there it became a phrase coined by the media and others. I am not an auditor, but this was the AG's assessment of FAMU's financial statements and operations. Basically, it looks like (prior to terminating qualified people) there wasn't a transfer of knowledge to qualified people to pick up the slack and run with the ball in our financial operations. Emphasis on transfer and qualified personnel.
Look for this to pop up again, because the AG also chastised us for a huge waste of funds to hire an outside firm to temporarily stop the bleeding.
I hope that Alvin Bryant and the NAA has a solid Plan of Action to rid FAMU of Castell, Liz, Altha, Janie, Rufus, Vivian, Herb, Debra, Tromly, and all these mad people. Please, let us not forget the Mighty Challis. I am ready and willing to support any Strike to get them out of FAMU's affairs.
ReplyDeleteCorbin had very personal issues against O'Kelley, Sharma, and Shetty. They were on the personnel hit list that he developed before Gainous was hired. Corbin made Gainous agree to fire all three of them before pulling together the votes to hire him as president.
ReplyDeleteRe:
ReplyDelete"I am ready and willing to support any Strike to get them out of FAMU's affairs."
We'll soon see just how serious you - and a whole lot of people out here - are about their school ... Because the ]NEXT plan(s) of action coming from the NAA are likely going to require you all putting your money where your mouths are this time!
"We're gonna see who's just blowin' smoke out here!"
My check is always ready. Is yours???
ReplyDelete