Applications to the University have dropped by 21% over the past five years. Freshman class enrollment has dropped by 40% in the past five years. The average GPA of the freshman class has dropped from 3.19 to 3.09 in the past five years. The average SAT score has dropped from 1022 to 937.
Meanwhile, the female/male ratio at FAMU is 62/38 percent.
See how FAMU stacks up against other colleges and universities in the state: Florida Trend: The Admissions Squeeze
Everyone is hurting, but few like us. The administration needs to realize that we have to be competitive with ALL universities in order to attract the best and brightest students. Take a look at THIS and tell me how credible FAMU is!
ReplyDeleteYou should see the Tallahassee Democrat (9/26) "HBCUs experience declining enrollment" This is a nationwide issue for HBCUs
ReplyDeleteNo everyone is not hurting. While FAMU's average SAT scores and GPA scores have declined, other university's quality of student body has increase thus reported:
ReplyDeleteAt nearly all institutions in Florida, measures of student quality for those accepted are up. At UM, 91% of students accepted for this year were in the top 10% of their class, up from 86% in 2001. At UF, 44% of accepted applicants were in the top 10th of their class, compared to just 22% in the top 10% four years ago. FSU’s average GPA for incoming freshmen stayed stable, even after cutting in half the bonus points it counted toward applicants’ GPAs for high school honors and dual enrollment classes. “If we used the same formula, our current GPAs would be much higher,” says Janice Finney, FSU’s admissions director.
During the interim, every state university has a 4-digit average SAT score with the exception of FAMU. We are at the bottom and our average SAT score is only higher then St. Thomas College which has an average SAT score of 870.
University of Florida has unseated FAMU without a fight and they are the new number 1 for National Achievement Scholars in Florida as well as the 2nd to Harvard for National Merit Scholars.
Furthermore, the other universities have adopted our recruitment program and style and this is how they have been rewarded:
University Snapshots
University of Florida
› 7,211 of the 7,673 who were admitted had accelerated coursework in high school. UF accepted 346 of the 369 valedictorians and salutatorians who applied. 4
› UF not only has some of the state’s brightest kids but also its wealthiest, regardless of race or ethnicity, according to UF economic geography professor Grant Thrall. Over half of newly enrolled students in 2005 came from households making more than $65,000 per year, and 44% came from households making more than $94,000. About 10% of UF students come from households making $37,000 or less.
Florida State University
› FSU accepted 228 of the 252 applicants ranked first or second in their high school class. 96% of incoming, instate students received Bright Futures scholarships in 2006. Overall, 67% of FSU undergrads are on Bright Futures. The university’s acceptances averaged five English credits in high school, 4.5 math, 3.5 science, 4.5 social studies and 4.5 foreign language.
University of West Florida
› UWF has seen an increase in the number of students applying from Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.
University of Miami
› UM admitted 65% of its students from out of state. 95% of the in-state students received financial aid, called Florida Resident Access Grants, from the state.
Florida Gulf Coast University
› Driving the jump in applications at Florida Gulf Coast University: Increased awareness among high school counselors and students and a growing number of programs, says Marc Laviolette, admissions director.
New College of Florida
› 24, or 4.6%, of New College’s accepted freshmen were valedictorians, up from nine, or 2.2%, last year and 11, or 3.7%, in 2001. 58.2% of accepted students were in the top 10% of their class; 88.5% were in the top quarter of their class. 485 of the 522 accepted students took accelerated coursework in high school: IB, Cambridge/ AICE, AP classes or National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology (such as MAST Academy in Miami or the Center for Advanced Technologies at Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg).
Florida Atlantic University
›36, or 0.7%, of FAU’s accepted students were in the top 1% of their class.
Here we go again... The challenge is--- Join your FAMU Alumni Association. Volunteer to coordinate recruitment at your area high schools. Get other alumni volunteers especially recent graduates to participate. Commit to giving $1000 annually for a scholarship to FAMU for a student from your area.
ReplyDeleteIf you are not willing to do these things then you really do not care about the university. It is easy to keep pointing the finger at what's happening at the university. It is a lot harder to agree to be a part of the solution. I CHALLENGE YOU TO DO SOMETHING POSITIVE TO HELP THE UNIVERSITY. ENOUGH DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT IS WRONG!!!!
Anonymous said...You should see the Tallahassee Democrat (9/26) "HBCUs experience declining enrollment" This is a nationwide issue for HBCUs. 9/26/2006 9:43 AM
ReplyDeleteThis maybe true, but this has been the case for many, many years. HBCU's have been merged, absorbed or closed down, but FAMU for 15 years continued to grow on all levels, including new construction, student enrollment, new academic programs, new Phd and Masters programs, research dollars, our Foundation, new partnerships and relationships. We prospered under Reagan, Bush and Clinton. There is no excuse for this and we definitely can't accept the excuse that it is a HBCU thang.
We were the first HBCU to show the PWIs that we can recruit the best and brightest and Corporate America and top graduate, law and medical programs came to us to recruit our students upon graduation.
I am sorry, I ain't buying the HBCU on the decline excuse. This has been going on for decades and FAMU still prospered!
It's LEADERSHIP, LEADERSHIP, LEADERSHIP!
Thank you anonymous at 9/26/2006 9:48 AM, but joining the NAA or recruiting students to FAMU will not solve the problem, until we get our house in order. FAMU's administration, image, BOT all have some serious issues that need to be addressed and corrected.
ReplyDeleteGet your house in order first, before you invite someone in. I don't think the alumni or NAA can be change agents for the BOT or the administration, especially since they will not listen and continue to go off on these half-cocked, half-thoughtout schemes that continue to fail.
Thank you anonymous at 9/26/2006 9:48 AM, but joining the NAA or recruiting students to FAMU will not solve the problem, until we get our house in order. FAMU's administration, image, BOT all have some serious issues that need to be addressed and corrected.
ReplyDeleteGet your house in order first, before you invite someone in. I don't think the alumni or NAA can be change agents for the BOT or the administration, especially since they will not listen and continue to go off on these half-cocked, half-thoughtout schemes that continue to fail.
ZIng from the Tallahassee Democrat today regarding Dr. Keith Jackson, VP for Sponsored Research.
ReplyDelete"Shouldn't the VP for research at FAMU know that a “360-degree turnaround" puts you right back where you started?"
It starts at the Top. I was was giving FAMU more than $1,000 (1988-2002)before this BOT and Interim administration came into power. I will give again when Charlie Crist cleans house in 2007 like he promises. I am a FAMU supporter but know giving now to FAMU is throwing "resources into a burning pit". Go figure: Would you invest or burn your hard earned dollars in a flame? FAMU will rise again from this burning trash pile!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCommit to giving $1000 annually for a scholarship to FAMU...
ReplyDeleteSo Cast-hell can give scholarships to her cronies grandbabys? Oh hell 2 da nah!
We had a good working scholarship program. But, Gainous shut that down! Then Cast-hell came along a shut down the recruitment program.
Anybody else notice that schools like Howard, NCCU, and B-CC are continuing to experience dynamic enrollment growth?
Bryant shut down the recruitment program and replaced it with nothing. Everyone should have expected enrollment to decline.
ReplyDeleteYes, alumni should be involved in recruiting as many students as possible to FAMU. But the problem is that FAMU's interim administration is working AGAINST us!
Be honest ...
ReplyDeleteDo you really think she working against us ...
Or - Could it be that there was no record of accountibility with the previous Administration's endeavors to justify continuiung to operate it in that manner?
^^^ Yes! And if you don't maybe you can enlighten us. The conditions under which we (faculty) work daily are deplorable.
ReplyDeleteRe: 12:21PM Remarks.
ReplyDeleteWhat world have you lived in over the past few years? You are certainly not abreast of the true facts concerning FAMU. Do you really believe FAMU would have achieved the "College of the Year" or any of the other awards if the previous administration had been doing such a horrible job? If so, Cast-Hell would not have anything to clean-up or rather mess-up. I suppose FAMU has just been standing still waiting on "Sistah Slash and Fire" Cast-Hell to clean it up. The success or failure of FAMU does not rest with these present mis-fits. Get a grip.
Excuses, excuses. Money does not have to be given to students through the university. Several alumni chapters raise monies that reach students yearly. Also, chapters can recruit students without the administration being perfect. Most students are enjoying their FAMU experiences and are not as involved as alumni are about all of the drama. I have sent several students to FAMU personally over the last 2-3 years. They all love it. Stop looking for excuses not to do.
ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing as a perfect world and you can't wait for better. We must create better now.
I continue to give in spite of present conditions because FAMU is bigger than personalities and individuals. For those who are looking for an excuse not to, you have it. For those of us alumni who believe when our mother (alma mater) is bleeding we must do what we can do to right the ship. Not wait for someone to come in on a white horse. The school is not in horrible shape. The alumni do more harm then good, by standing on the sidelines pontificating and waiting. A permanent president is not the answer. Dr. Gainous was a permanent president. The Great White Hope Charlie Crist is not the answer either. However, developing a vision for our university that clearly defines the future will give us all something concrete to do. Until we have a clear vision for what FAMU should look like in the future we will still go in circles.
This summer I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Hump speak and he discussed the changing demographics and how hbcus would be impacted. He alluded to the need to re-create who and what FAMU should serve to survive.
We need and an administration that will work with the alumni and listen to their input for student recruitment and the future of the University. I am among the drama here at the University and know how many students are transferring to FSU because of the drama. You need to be well informed before speaking about others making excuses. When you see the day-to-day happenings your views are a bit different. I encourage you to keep supporting FAMU but if others make a choice not to do so, it is not an excuse but a "decision of choice".
ReplyDelete>>>Could it be that there was no record of accountibility with the previous Administration's endeavors to justify continuiung to operate it in that manner?<<<
ReplyDeleteAre you insane? In a business, success is measured by the bottom line. A recruitment program is successful if it boosts enrollment. Enrollment went up EVERY year under Dr. Humphries. We became the largest single-campus HBCU and the number one destination of National Achievement Scholars.
The state auditor general never cited any problems with manner in which recruitment program scholarship and travel money was spent and recorded at FAMU. Bryant's claims about a lack accountability are not supported by the state auditor general's reports or by any financial documents.
A lack of accountability is evident when the bottom line suffers. Bryant is not being held responsible for her irresponsible decisions that have resulted in a decrease in enrollment.
Yes, Bryant is definitely working against us by shutting down a successful program, replacing it with nothing, and offering excuses instead of effective action to reverse the declining enrollment. For the first time in decades, FAMU is facing multi-million dollar losses in FTE (full time equivalent) funding because it has not met the state required benchmark for enrollment.
Under Humphries, we had a recruitment program that produced results. Under Bryant, we have no recruitment program and vast monetary losses.
We need to get over the HBCU thing and begin a new era where FAMU becomes an excellent university period. U, not HBCU. FAMU needs to sell its programs and recruit the best students and faculty available, not just the best *black* students and faculty. The best black students are being recruited by the best universities, we need to be one of those universities, not just a good HBCU. Looking at some of this year's new hires, you have to ask yourself, "was this really the best person we could find, or was this the only black that applied?" We can be proud of our heritage, but we need to build a bridge to the future, not to the past. HBCUs are a thing of the past. The "black experience" is becoming an increasingly weak recruiting tool.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 9/26/2006 10:44 AM said, "I will give again when Charlie Crist cleans house in 2007 like he promises."
ReplyDeleteYou have to be kidding! After all the damage that Jeb Bush and his cronies have done to FAMU, and all the damage his big bubba has done to our healthcare, our environment, our national security, and all the people he's killed and maimed trying to be the schoolyard bully he wishes he'd been as an eight-year-old, I cannot believe anyone with a brain would even consider voting for another Greedpublican! No politicians are perfect, but I'll take my chances with those who haven't destroyed everything I hold dear! It will be a cold day in hell when I support the party of greed and destruction!
My sentiments too!
ReplyDeleteok 12:15, You're talking from both sides of your mouth.., or is it out the side of your neck. You have great point, but thone of the primary reasons that FAMU was founded, is to provide a strong community feeder program to beter our lives. Check the mission and also Dr. Humphries vision. They pare. There are those of us who do want FAMU to be at the top, period. CVB DID make it a big deal more than I think was tact, but we'll take it in context, but that is just the start. We'll begin to get much better after we all make the decision to make the bus reservations. Sure the HBCU experience may not be valuable to you, but if the experience is sick- make it well! Why is it that everyone is allowed an EXPERIENCE (everyone sells the damn experience), but us?! ***I'd rather you to climb over me than to pull me down.*** Ditto 9:57a ,10:10a, 10:13
ReplyDelete