As we could have imagined, the Florida State folks have an entirely different view about the administration of the FAMU/FSU College of Engineering. Their view is quite as welcoming or hospitable as one might think progressive folks might be in this day and age.
The issue has even been raised about separate Pharmacy and Journalism schools on their message board. The thinking is we serve two different populations. One black, one white. Kind of the old "separate but equal" thinking.
Take a look: FSU folks thoughts about the E-School
FAMU is a University who's doors have always been open to All who would come. You white folks coined the term HBCU to differentiate black and white.
ReplyDeleteGet it right.
Separate but equal sounds right to me. You can't mix quality apples with rotten oranges. Isn't that what FAMU has wanted all along?
ReplyDeleteFAMU is an historically black university and FSU is an historically white university. The term "historically" does not mean "only."
ReplyDeleteFAMU has never rejected any applicant on the basis of race. Your claims of racial discrimination at FAMU are completely unsubstantiated.
Integration is not about making every university majority white. Trying to force white control over FAMU is just another effort to advance white supremacy through the back door.
what's not being progressive about pointing out that famu is not holding up it's end of the relationship, and that famu students are not prepared for the engineering school? pointing out the situation might alarm famu's faithful, but the truth being told is more important. these people are progressive. why does pointing out the obvious make them not? because it is critical? get over it and get to work.
ReplyDeletethe coe will be in fsu's hands. next the law school will go to ucf. famu will become leaner and meaner and will eventually integrate to meet the demands of a mult ethnic state. this is not a bad thing, just the way institutions change through the course of time.
HBCUs will not be able to compete in the upcoming century. Their mission is out dated and not suited for the global economy. Diversity is king! Adapt or die FAMU!
ReplyDeleteHow many white people do you think even apply to FAMU cause it is a HBCU. All your doing is going of what you see and no facts at all. Most white people that come to FAMU are here cause of certain program. HBCU are here so that minorites can have a chance at a education in a environment that is not hostile and is like their own. I had friends at FSU who have experience racial crap while attending their. Even had a few who have graduated and have said to me hind sight they would have went to FAMU if the had to do it all over again. Also FAMU unlike FSU has a more family feel to it cause our classes are not a 100 + deep. Our professors know most the people in their class and will call you by name without having to look it up. We not like FSU and not trying to be we have our own way of doing things and we don't apologize for it. I will agree that FAMU needs to change and the one flaw is its infastructure and support was not keeping up with its student growth.
ReplyDeleteThe Big Flaw at FAMU is that it is failing to adapt to the 21st century. FAMU is a false world, a world of Jim Crow. Time to integrate.
ReplyDeleteFSU is a historically WOMEN's university.. it HAS moved on
ReplyDeletethe white MAN took over FSU... how long before he takes over FAMU?
ReplyDeleteFAMU needs to step into the diverse future. It will slowly die if it does not. The SUS will need to put the rising number of expected students somewhere. The FAMU campus is an under utilized piece of a greater SUS puzzle. Integration is coming!
ReplyDeleteThis message board is so pathetic talking about the white man this and that. This is America where opportunity is there for the taking for those who refused to be denied. The White Man crap is self defeating. Playing the victim never gets anyone far in life. Seize what is yours through hard work and effort.
ReplyDelete11:21 that's so wrong
ReplyDeleteIt is not about being black, yellow, red, white, etc. it is about being good at what you do and having confidence in yourself.
ReplyDeleteanon 5:57
ReplyDeleteo.k. lets say the white folks did coin it. well the black folks sure are defending it, even when segregation ended roughly 40 years ago. why do you defend the very institution that people sought to change?
FAMU has never discriminated against white students. FAMU cannot force white students to attend. Most white students are more comfortable attending a majority white institution. There is absolutely nothing wrong with permitting blacks to have the option to attend a majority black institution.
ReplyDeleteCollege of love and charity
ReplyDeleteWe gather 'round thy noble shrine
We lift our voice in praise to thee
And ask a blessing all divine
FAMU, FAMU I love thee
I'll fight and win whatever the battle be
The orange and the green
Our sons will ever defend
And loyal to thy voice of love attend
FAMU, FAMU
FAMU I love YOU
Thank you for placing the link to what FSU is saying about us on this blog. I found it quite interesting that they placed a link to rattlernation on their blog.
ReplyDeleteWe have to always be mindful that those people "over there" are always watching us. It's like they are obsessed with FAMU.
Nobel Prize winner, Toni Morrison, wrote a non-fiction book called "Playing in the Dark" (this is in quotes because the system does not allow for underlining). Her main contention in this book is that white people do not realize the extent to which the definition of their whiteness is defined by blacks. They do not realize that much of what makes them think they are so good has to do with the fact that they think that blacks are so bad. The same notion was applied to America when it came to Russia. Once that adversarial relationship ended, America had to redefine itself in the new world. The country did not know what to do with itself for a while.
The same holds true for FSU when it comes to its relationship with FAMU. They just have to feel that they are better. They think FSU is better because FAMU is portrayed so negatively in the press. What is so sad about the people at FSU and many in the Tallahassee and statewide communities (both black and white--- and believe me, there are some elitist blacks out there who turn their noses up a FAMU) is that many of them fail to even question why the Democrat has such an interest in portraying FAMU the way it does.
As Morrison alludes to, they (the media) are a part of the system that must define and portray anything black in such a way that would elevate whiteness.
The fact that they are on our blog is proof of their enthrallment with FAMU. We are a part of who they are. We are in their system.
I bet you many of them would experience some anxiety if FAMU were to "cease to exist" (which will never happen). Who would they measure themselves up against then? WE know they can not hang with the Univ. of Florida, and UCF is giving them a go.
They should face the fact that much of what and who they are has a whole lot to do with who we are.
Its amazing how whites tend to think we as blacks shouldn't have a right to attend an HBCU. I'm not a recist because hate was never taught in my household. This is deeper than an FSU/FAMU controversy. Most of ya'll go off what the tallahassee democrat or local news stations report.
ReplyDeleteIf you've never lived your life as a black individual, then your rationalizations are mute. I'm not going back to slavery days because we've progressed tremendously.
FAMU is, and always will be, an HBCU, FSU is and always will be a PWC. Everyone has a choice. I chose FAMU because I wanted to be a rattler. Some whites will never get it because of their ignorance towards blacks and black issues. Until you've lived your life in black skin you'll never know, understand, or even get it.
FAMU has way more recognized programs and its hard for some FSU faithful to accept the fact that a black institution can produce better students. Sorry if we don't pride ourselves on athletics.
This is just my opinion.
I think the transferring of the Eng school financial situation was just a blatant attempt to slither in when we are at a weak point. FSU's president is a bigger idiot for the stupid comments he made publically. You will reap what you sow though. FAMU will rise because no one can hold us down except ourselves. Hopefully we will come together as one, and this too shall pass!
^^^^^^^^4/04/2007 8:12 AM
ReplyDeleteThis is so true.
FAMU is trying to diversify itself and it started with Humphries. I remember when he came to my school which was mostly white mind you and talked about FAMU. He didn't ask to just meet with the black students, he met with all the students and I know he went to other schools in the area that was mostly white as well. These last few presidents I know didn't go to schools to recruit black or white which why he have issues with them. They were presidents we had no say in getting with the exception of Ammons. The basic theme that is being said is this process is not over night and will take time to do. We have to cater to our core students because they our meat and potatoes for right now. HBCU's was created for a reason and that mission has not become obsolete.
ReplyDeleteYou say that in American you have equal opportunities, well tell that to those minority high schools that don't have the same equal funding, quality of teachers, and resources of some of the upper mostly white state funded high schools. These students not going to perform well on SAT's or ACT's (which is a flawed way of evaluating students). It also been said on this and other forums that we take in students that wouldn’t meet FSU standards (that made me giggle but I will humor them) well what more American than giving all people a opportunity to go to a higher education. We should just take the elite and leave the rest to what be a burden on the society lol yea that really helps American out a lot.
Also please don't preach to us about the 21st Century of education cause U.S.A is slipping further and further in that department compared to the rest of the world http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/13/national/main838207.shtml and that goes back to minority schools that not getting equal funding or attention cause they are a mostly minority (soon to be the majority of this nation) school. We are trying to diversify but I will take us more time because we have the HBCU tag over our heads (and proud of it) and people seem to judge us based on that. We are not on other races especially white people list for school they would apply to just cause of what we are regardless of what programs we have and are good at. You need to keep that in mind when you make such statements.
FSU was a college for women only from 1905 to 1947. FSU was established in 1851 with clear, traceable roots to 1843. It is the oldest university in Florida.
ReplyDeleteFurther, FSU is much more integrated than FAMU is, with around 30% mixed races. As an HBU, FAMU should join the new, diverse, world.
Go Gators
ReplyDeleteThe reptile kingdom will dominate Florida! Rattlers and Gators unite!
ReplyDeleteReading some of those comments were quite disturbing but I believe those people truly need to be enlightened.
ReplyDelete1. A person stated that FAMU should have their own engineering school. From my understanding, the engineering school was FAMU's but we were forced to share it with FSU. Correct if I am wrong.
2. We had a very successful law school years ago before our current law school but it just happened to be stolen.
They better recongnize!
FSU wanted it's own engineering school at least as long as 30 years ago. FAMU insisted, in those racially charged times, that if FSU were to get a COE, it had to be joint.
ReplyDeleteIt does not matter now, anyway - split the program. FSU doesn't need FAMU and I'm sure FAMU would rather be on their own as well.
Why would FAMU want to continue a joint program? Maybe they are too dependent on FSU running 80% of it?
Split the program!
Complaining about "stolen" programs is silly - educational policy changes over time and FAMU is not immune from changes being forced down from above.
ReplyDeleteFor example, FSU's football team and all males were forced to go to the newly created UF program in 1905. With your prespective, FSU's program was "stolen".
No - it was just a change in policy.
Ok, I have sat idly by for too long. I am an FSU graduate, but I am an honorary Rattler dammit! To the FSU folk who keep commenting on this site that FAMU needs to get its act together.....please, please SHUT UP!!!!!! FAMU had its own law school back in the 60's and what did FSU do...you came and you stole it! Now, you're trying to encourage the legislature to AGAIN steal FAMU's law school away and give it to UCF. Mind you, FAMU's law school produced the likes of Arthenia Joyner, Alcee Hastings, and many others. FAMU is NOT a substandard school, as many of you FSU folk want people to believe. FAMU has an excellent pharmacy program and a few years ago, FSU was trying to steal that. Prior to that, you were talking about merging SBI with FSU's business school. Yes, FAMU is at a weak point right now, but FSU, have some class. FAMU can handle this. Dr. Ammons will be on board soon enough. So, go do what you're best known for.....playing football and stop tryin' to steal shit. Damn!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteEverybody saying FAMU needs to diversify, get a clue. You're all being racist, and I'm a white guy saying this. FAMU being predominantly black has nothing to do with their current interim president being downright terrible. If she were in charge of FSU, we'd be having the same issues.
ReplyDeleteEverybody saying FSU stole this, stole that, or wants to steal more, you also need to get a clue. You're just perpetuating this BS bickering between the two institutions, and regrettably the two predominant races these universities represent.
If FAMU is angry at FSU for "taking" its CoE, then go to the legislature (because I know you'll have FSU's support) and demand that the E School be split up. That seems fair, right? FSU "took" your CoE from you 30 years ago, but if you really wanted your own one right now, FSU would help you get one to yourself. It's up to FAMU if they want this to happen, which, unfortunately, in the past, FAMU has refused to discuss talks of splitting away from FSU and forming their own CoE.
To the one poster who is talking about how you black people need to be mindful because us white people are always watching over you, your comments sound paranoid.
To the poster claiming that FAMU produces better students and have "way more recognized programs," what are these programs and how did you deduce that FAMU students are better? I'm curious, because according to most (probably all) objective rankings, FSU's student quality is much better, as well as the programs, and the amount of programs offered. FAMU has Journalism and Pharmacy, which FSU doesn't have, so I guess by default they're better than FSU's, but do you realize FAMU's Pharm School is on probationary accreditation? How many good programs are on the verge of losing their accreditation?
Both schools deserve their own E School and this racial bickering is quite disappointing.
4:31-You really wouldn't understand anything we are saying b/c you don't walk around as a black person. Your world is oh-so different. Why don't you leave our experiences for us to discuss b/c we experience them everyday when we walk into a store and are watched as if we're going to steal something, when we get into elevators with white women and they clutch their purses, when we EARN (yes, I said, EARN) our degrees and are held to a much higher standard on our jobs than our white counterparts. You see....you may be able to live in this world and not have to think about your race, but we are reminded of our race every hour of every day. FAMU is better b/c it provides us a better experience. This is the FSU grad and I speak from experience. FSU was not a welcoming environment for me, but when I crossed the tracks and visited FAMU, I felt as if I belonged. But you wouldn't understand that!!!!!
ReplyDelete^ So you admit that FSU quote in quote "took" the COE. I am glad you are not wearing blinders in that aspect.
ReplyDeleteIn response to this passage.....
To the poster claiming that FAMU produces better students and have "way more recognized programs," what are these programs and how did you deduce that FAMU students are better? I'm curious, because according to most (probably all) objective rankings, FSU's student quality is much better, as well as the programs, and the amount of programs offered. FAMU has Journalism and Pharmacy, which FSU doesn't have, so I guess by default they're better than FSU's, but do you realize FAMU's Pharm School is on probationary accreditation? How many good programs are on the verge of losing their accreditation?
When job recuriters come to Tallahassee looking for quality black students, where do you think they go first? hmmmm..........bingo! FAMU
FAMU is a the worst school in the state. FSU posters there is no need to justify anything to FAMU. TCC is a better school than FAMU. Not to take anything away from TCC. FAMU is stuck in the past and will continue to wallow around falling farther and farther behind. Change will come, the only question is when. FAMU will integrate sooner than later. It will be forced to by the SUS need for class space. FAMU is an under utilized shrinking mess. Let FAMU kick and scream all it wants. It is nothing in the world of higher education
ReplyDeleteA one race campus, Hysterically Black College University, is a false world. Jim Crow ended sometime back and with it segregation. Institutions of Higer Education should be diverse. Why is FAMU the only university in our state so fanatically hanging on to a false world? Integration will come in my life time. There is no other way, but through a truly diverse student body.
ReplyDeleteWell let's see here. To: 11:38 FAMU was also an historically women's college when it was founded in 1887 where your beloved FSU now sits and we have moved on...literally.
ReplyDeleteTO 9:25 Yes FSU is integrated, be that as it may--koodos even--however, as recent as last month, FAMU was one of 6 institutions to be honored, ONCE AGAIN, by the Institute of International Education at the United Nations (http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/5376781.html). Of course you might not have known that because the media was too busy drowning out the good surrounding our school to bring you the dirt. But we're used to it and in the end, like always, we always seem to prevail.
To: 10:29 FAMUans love the Gators! You guys are always so hospitable and warm to us.
And believe it or not, FAMUans like FSU too, but there are just a few people, who are so infinitesimal, that try to keep the two schools from "bridging the gap."
Anyways, I could go on and on about FAMU and its numerous accolades, but why waste the time to speak to a deaf audience whose blinded and ignorant of the facts. I hate that this has turned into a FAMU/FSU trash and bash match and its pretty obvious how many, not all, FSU faithfuls really feel about us. Pretty sad.
What many FAMUans have come to realize is that a lot of folk feel Tallahassee is entirely to small to host two(2) renowned universities in this little town and that this little predominately black university should not get this much attention over the big predominately white university and that the press we receive should be negative to prove to everyone that we should not exist. Well, it's little too late for that!
To: 5:30 If you want to get silly and throw names then remember that Duke University fans said it best; FSU = Football School University and others have named you guys the "#1 Party School" for several years in a row...Go Noles! Well they got a point there.
No matter what you guys keep dishing out I'm so glad, I'm from FAMU and always will be! FAMU to the day I die!
And FAMUans can we please stop responding and going word for word with them. Let them talk! (smile)
To anonymous 4/04/2007 8:21 AM:
ReplyDeleteI love how you believe that black institutions pride themselves on athletics. Last I checked blacks havent dominated any major sport except basketball. Besides, if an HBCU is the focal point of the best athletes, why do they suck every year. AND I DO MEAN SUCK. I love the fact that FAMU advertises the fact that a black quarterback is signing books. WOW, I cant wait until Peyton Manning advertises himself as a white quarterback signing books. Oh wait, I get it. The fact that a black quarterback can write a book is what everyone is suprised about. I wonder if he needs to sign it with an X or did he actually learn to make his mark. By the way, I am not white or black. HUH, I know you are confused you ignorant morons. I am sick of hearing both of your races bitch all the time as if you make up the whole world. Dumb asses.
Time to forget the race issue. FAMU needs to integrate...finally.
ReplyDeleteFSU had a School of Journalism from 1950 to 1959...did FAMU steal it?
We want it back!
By the way - FSU has been in the same spot since the 1850s...long before FAMU was created.
ReplyDeleteFor all of you FAMU folks who like to cosy up to UF folks, you should learn your UF history and present.
ReplyDeleteUF is historically the most racist school in the state and is presently the least racially diverse. UF has been stealing programs and funding from every other university in our state, especially FAMU, for decades. Do you think UF alumni would have tolerated a historically black institution in Gainesville?
The students and fat cat alumni of the whitest school in our state, UF, are just kicking back and laughing at the riff between FAMU and FSU. The worst thing FSU and FAMU supporters could do in their eyes is team up and push the Florida legislature to help both schools become the great institutions they could and should become.
Everyone has had a bite of controversy at their school so no one has the right to cast the first stone. But the funny thing is that we are casusally sitting by while this one in perticular is happening. Believe it or not, I am a recent FAMU/FSU COE grad and this is a damper on both sides of the issue. We are leaving people to their imaginations when it comes to our comments and opinions. But at the end of the day, who is to really blame? We all have blood on our hands. This involves parents who are not active in their child's acedemia (most students at FAMU are first generation college students), professors who only care about being in the top ten in the nation, administrators who make sure they are paid on time despite any one else, state leaders who intervene for the sake of political gain, and prayer not being a priority for the sake of our future in the educational arena. The list goes on. To my own credit, this is part emotional. I believe in FAMU, which is why I attended. Yet, our only peak was in 1996. And were still riding on that coat tail. In ending all of this, I could reveal some things that would make any FSU enthusiast think otherwise about how the tables should turn, especially those on the other blog noted in the article. We need to get in our rightful place that was fought for by our founding mothers/fathers. I mean, we all banded together for the UF/Ohio NCAA championship. But at this moment in history, we need to band together for our future.
ReplyDeleteDiversity is not a white/black issue in 2007... If FAMU and all HBCUs want to be relevant and survive we have to take the lead on diversity through international recruiting... We have to recruit African descendant people from Africa (all 53 countries), the caribbean (dominican republic/haiti), central america (i.e. panama/costa rica/honduras), south america (brazil) and go global to China/India/Latin America/ Caribbean/ Middle East and southeast asia... This inroads with recruiting African descendant people from around the world would make us stronger as an institution and take the argument away from us having to go to white institutions to learn diversity. The truth is globally African Americans can play a crucial role in Africa, India, China, Asia and Latin America... This needs to be our diversity vision for all HBCUs to lessen the threat of the elite caucasians of abolishing our alma mater .. Exporting our African American talent/capital/technical knowledge abroad and importing global African talent via student visas to HBCUs will level the playing field... If we wait on what White America to set our diversity agenda we will always remain their slaves...
ReplyDeleteTo: 4/07/2007 1:31 PM
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that FAMU must redefine diversity from an HBCU perspective.
However, do you have any recommendations for dealing with people from the areas you cited who have racist, elitist views about Black Americans, yet they still come over here and take advantage of the institutions and other priviledges that the Blacks they abhor have fought hard for?
deepbluesea