Rattler Nation has learned that interim president Castell Bryant and former BoT Chair Challis Lowe has been working behind the scenes to block incoming university president James Ammon from being able to assemble his own team and "hit the ground running" when he starts work on July 2. Mrs. Bryant and Mrs. Lowe are trying to force on Mr. Ammons Castell 's hand picked leadership team. The same folks she (Castell) has failed miserablly with over the past 28 months.Given some of the critical issues the university now faces including accreditation by SACS, the ABA, Pharmacy, financial and others, Mr. Ammons rightfully wants to assemble his own team of folks he can trust to get the job done right.
By saddling the incoming president with Castell loyalist, Mrs. Bryant, and her trusttee friends, are attemtping to maintain control of FAMU, and continue steering the university down the destructive path that it has been on for the past 28 months.
Transition what transition?
We also understand that that Mrs. Bryant and her leadership team have been uncooperative with Mr. Ammons by not returning phone calls and sharing critical information on the true state of the university. Phone calls from members of Mr. Ammons' team to FAMU administrators, we are told, have gone unanswered and unreturned.
Castell plans smooth transition
Transtition procedures established
Smith is transition consultant
Transition document
I would like to be the first one to suggest that this kind of behavior should be bought to the attention of the BOG and the legislature while they are still in session. This kind of pre-mediated behavior is what have gotten FAMU in the position of being last in the rankings among other SUS member institutions. We need to make haste and put Evelyn Lynn, Al Lawson and other powerful legislators on notice about CVB and Company's intent to "Derail the incoming administration" at FAMU. What a Shame? Oh what a Shame?
ReplyDeletecasthell what about your love for FAMU where did it go? the devil is a liar!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this story early Monday morning. This topic needs to be one of the top priorities for Rattler Country to address this week.
ReplyDeleteIf Vinnie June actually thinks that Dr. Ammons will keep him as VPSA, then the common sense that God gave a circus baboon. Why would Ammons hesitate to fire someone who worked so maliciously to libel him during the presidential search process?
ReplyDeleteI'm more convinced than ever that June came straight out of a black-face ministrel show. He is a living representation of every racist stereotype about blacks being lazy, slothful, inept, and stupid.
Vinnie, carry your boot-licking, beady eyed, Stepin Fetchit-imitation tail back to FGCU where they're still willing to pay for token Negro faces like yours.
Come on RN ... "You're reaching!"
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're trying to make up some "Mission Impossible" sounding, espionage BS here.
You know good and well that Ammons is going to bring in and/or retain JUST who he wants up there ... So please quit trying to make up something for folks to b**** about?
The ACTUAL facts bad enough already ... So even YOU can afford to take a day off!!
The goal is to destroy FAMU and to use those who look like us to do it. FAMU Alumni need to be more vigilant than ever. The attempts to keep FAMU out of the game will not stop just because a new president has been named. The DELAY-DENY-DESTROY tactic has worked for several years. We have paid those who look like us to destroy us...even given them raises and bonuses. Letting down our guard now would be a detrimental mistake.
ReplyDeleteCome on RN! We've got to put pressure on the BOT to allow Ammons and his team to start together on July 2nd. As is playing out in the news this administration is not only corrupt and a bunch of liars, but they really don't want Ammons to be successful and to move FAMU forward. Vincent June better learn how to return phone calls!
ReplyDeleteAnon 7:17,
ReplyDeleteQuit shooting the messenger!
Those of us that work on campus are aware that this is happening. This isn't even news.
7:17AM, as bad as you want it to NOT be, daRattler has been DEAD ON with his reporting of the shenanigans up on the hill during this reign of terror this BS administration has brought down on us at the behest of Bush and Corbin.
ReplyDeleteThe devil never takes a day off trying to destroy us, so why should those of us who fight him take one off??
Keep on pushin', RN!
Wait a minute. Ammons is president, but he doesn't start until July. What should happen between now and then? Nothing? Are you on drugs? FAMU in gact has serious financial problems and someone has to try to get things in order. Or would it be best just to do nothing for the next two months? I'm afraid that Ammons is going to have an impossible task, and that most of you will be jumping the ship the first controversial decision he makes. He will need to make some very contentious decisions in his first month, including the decision whether to firer many FAMU alumni and loyalists, such as those who operate this board.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the evidence that they are doing anything to derail the new administration? Another unsubstantiated reported designed to appeal to the fears of the FAMU community.
ReplyDeleteNobody needs to destroy FAMU. The evidence could not be clearer that FAMU is wekk on the road to detroying itself.
ReplyDeleteA dean informed me that President Ammons requested the letters of resignation from all VPs, deans, and some others. This dean confirmed that Castell told them not to submit the letters and if they did she would fire them before Ammons got there.
ReplyDeleteI see no reason why this dean would lie about a letter of resignation. Either submit them now or they'll submit them later. The letters will be submitted.
There are quit a few more surprises for Dr. Ammons on the horizon. Castell ain't finished yet. Look for more funds to walk out the door under the guise of contracts.
The board were a bunch of punks on Saturday to give Castell and Ali signature authority without any oversight from the board. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Someone needs to clean Vincent June's mouth out with soap. He hates Ammons and Roland Gaines. If only they knew what he was saying.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, one of his office staffers said he left Mr. Gaines waiting on him for almost 30 minutes. I don't know this for a fact, but I do know he can't stand Mr. Gaines.
Look for him to be a thorn in their sides.
Anyone who's still asking for "evidence" that FAMU is imploding at the hands of those who were sent there clothe as saviors is intentionally ignorant of the facts.
ReplyDeleteA dean informed me that President Ammons requested the letters of resignation from all VPs, deans, and some others.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe Ammons requested letters of resignation from all the deans. For one, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering dean is hired by FSU (as part of the deal that was cut for FAMU to assume permanent budgetary/financial control). Ammons couldn't unilaterally push the Engineering College dean out even if he wanted to.
Additionally, I don't see Ammons calling on James Hawkins (Journalism) or Rodner Wright (Architecture) to leave before he even arrives. The candidate pool of black men with the credentials to lead such professional programs is very small. Both Hawkins and Wright have strong reputations and worked well with Ammons while he was provost. He wouldn't kick either of them to curb in that fashion.
A dean informed me that President Ammons requested the letters of resignation from all VPs, deans, and some others. This dean confirmed that Castell told them not to submit the letters and if they did she would fire them before Ammons got there.
ReplyDeleteI see no reason why this dean would lie about a letter of resignation. Either submit them now or they'll submit them later. The letters will be submitted.
Well, rocket scientist (you must attend the highly regarded FAMU/FSU COE!), here's the problem. Who would be responsible for operational and management decisions, including decisions to hire faculty, between now and July? Ammons has refused to accept responsibility until then. It is fair for Bryant to take responsbility until then, and that includes holding Deans and Chair and Administrators feet to the fire, rarther than allowing them to evade responsbility and leaving DFAMU without any leadership art all for the next 6 months. It is not as if Ammons will walk into town with 3 dozen new folks in July!!! It is going to take him some time. Now, go work on your remedial calculus.
but I do know [June] can't stand Mr. Gaines
ReplyDeleteVincent better watch his behavior and not try and get up in Roland's face like he does others. The 6 foot+ Roland could smash him like a roach.
11:59AM- Ammons has refused to accept responsibility until then.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of "Rocket Scientist"- How would this become Dr. Ammons' responsibility prior to July 2nd when his contract starts?? Seems like someone may need to join someone in the calculus class.
^^^^^^^^^
ReplyDeleteLetters of resignation are effective July 2. Either way, these positions serve at the pleasure of the President.
Castell's reasoning is he can't advertise positions currently occupied. Get it? Either way these folks are done and I am sure they have witnessed the handwriting on the wall.
Just because you tender a letter of resignation doesn't necessarily mean Ammons will accept it. It's customary to tender these letters.
ReplyDeleteThis is a Jeb Bush move, but Crist fired their butts anyhoo. Look for Ammons to do the same.
..but Crist fired their butts anyhoo
ReplyDeleteUh, thanks for mentioning that.
BTW, I want to publicly thank Charlie for all of his help behind the scenes. FAMU will be alright.
The republiklans will know the next time they muck with him behind his back during a campaign. If he keeps on this path, he's got my vote. *ell, I may even work in his re-election campaign.
Has anyone heard that Ammmons may be reconsidering whether to come to FAMU????
ReplyDelete2:56--any man who stands before an audience of onlookers and well-wishers and cries and thanks his mother for his inherited strength is coming. Rain, sunshine, sleet or hell (as in Cast-Hell), I do believe there will be no reconsideration of his decision to come. The rumors that the street committee generate are simply mind-boggling. When James Ammons was a student, his professional intent and goal was one day "come home" from wherever his profession had taken him. He has gotten that chance and nothing will keep him away, even, apparently, the state of affairs of his beloved university.
ReplyDeleteAdvice to all FAMU VP's, especially Vincent June: dust off your resume and begin job search ASAP!
ReplyDeleteHere's a '07 Homecoming Theme:
ReplyDeleteCast-Hell's Gone, Time to Strike On!
I just cannot believe that Castell has been paid over three quarters of a million dollars for the performance she has put on. We're talking nearly $1,000,000 for what????????? for NOTHING. She has absolutely no signifiicant accomplishments. There is NOTHING to speak well of her tenure.
ReplyDeleteRATTLERS, I think we hazbeen bamboozled.
5:15--You know you're right. And if I might add...I believe wees been bamboozled rell good.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDelete..but Crist fired their butts anyhoo
Uh, thanks for mentioning that.
BTW, I want to publicly thank Charlie for all of his help behind the scenes. FAMU will be alright.
The republiklans will know the next time they muck with him behind his back during a campaign. If he keeps on this path, he's got my vote. *ell, I may even work in his re-election campaign.
4/23/2007 1:15 PM
I'm with ya!
this board is hilarious. we need to make this into a day time soap!
ReplyDeleteYes. Oftentimes posters simply go overboard in their "commentary," simply because they want to see their words in some kind of public forum. Half of the commentary here isn't about too much, but a bunch of foolishness. Very few posters are adding anything of substance here (perhaps this post falls into that category) and aren't really adding anything to the dialogue. What probably began as a very good idea by the RN administrators in terms of offering this open forum for intelligent commentary has now turned into something completely different, with, of course, a few exceptions.
ReplyDeleteFor those still working who believe in FAMU, try to stay the course. Remember your teachings, 1)what's done in the DARK will surely come to LIGHT. 2)What goes around, come around. 3)You shall surely REAP, WHAT YOU SOW.
ReplyDeleteThese teachings are particularly important for June, Kennendy-Lamar,Greenleaf, Wise, Buggs, Lassiter(FGCU),Dantley, Boyd, recent sponsored research employees, to name a few. Their recent efforts in trying to clean up their act at this stage is not fooling anyone.
The community has basically been silent, however it will be silent NO MORE. "BAD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN, GOOD PEOPLE DO NOTHING". It is time for all things to be exposed.
Let's begin by questioning other consultant's contracts, i.e. Cedarcrestone.
Thank you RN for STAYING YOUR COURSE of ACCOUNTABILITY.
POSTER 2:39
ReplyDeleteThank you for adding some names that I've not seen before. Buggs is a terrible example and role model for our students. You should attend some of the meetings (i.e. Homecoming) you would be shocked. She (and Inge) allows vendors to sell illegal material(i.e. DVD, CD) on the Set. You may not think this is a big deal however I would challenge you to think of what example and message we are sending to our young people to support immoral and illegal acts.
When are new contracts signed? If by June 30th, HOUSTON we may have a problem. If July 1 or thereafter, there is still time.
ReplyDeleteThere is a somber rumor that links the shaky financing of the summer semester with the non-resignation of current administrators. It goes like this:
ReplyDeleteAmmons would like to bring in a number of top people with him when he comes.
In order to do this, the current occupants of those top positions have to leave.
However, those top administrators are not willing either to submit an advance letter of resignation or accept an advance notice.
Rumor has it that they are entitled to two month's notice before termination
Ergo, in order for Dr. Ammons to bring in even some of his own team when he arrives, he may well have to pay for both the new and old occupants of many top administrative positions, for at least his first two months.
Where will that money come from?
Hold that thought and refresh your memory of the recent talk about a crisis in funding courses this summer. Could there be a connection?
Does anyone have any insight into this rumor? Will FAMU students face a crisis in summer courses because certain old, outgoing top administrators are unwilling to let go gracefully and allow Dr. Ammons to move his people in?
Why is Joe Ann Houston trying to get a leadership position?
ReplyDeleteI reckon cause she thinks she some kind of "leader." Other than that, I do not know the answer. What kind of position is she attempting ot get? Does anyone on this board know?
ReplyDeletethat, plus the fact that she kisses a** a lot and has been doing so for quite a while now for all the good it has done.
ReplyDeletePlus, she wants to get paid for every committee she serves on when every body else SERVES. She got over on some of the SACS stuff she did, while other SACS folks just worked because they loved the school.
ReplyDeleteI wander what she is trying to get now. She applies for every open leadership slot there is.