In a guest column for the St. Petersburg Times online, former FAMU SGA President Larry O. Rivers, took the Times to task for some of its recent comments.Rivers wrote, "Recent articles and commentary in the St. Petersburg Times have suggested that Castell V. Bryant, who recently resigned as Florida A&M University's interim president, inherited a poorly managed institution from predecessors such as Frederick S. Humphries. The facts from Humphries and Bryant's respective tenures, however, reveal a very different story.
Humphries received clean opinions from the Florida auditor general on every financial statement audit during his 16-year tenure. Bryant failed to produce even one clean state audit in 2.5 years.
Continue reading: Bryant left a mess
Rivers is right. He has a backbone and he's smart. We need more student leaders like him.
ReplyDeleteThe SPTIMES has disrespected FAMU for several years. They made the law school and Dean Luney a special target. Their reporting has been slanted even before Castell came in with her hatchet. They, like many other media outlets, have kept all the focus on the horrible administration and none of the focus on the accomplishments of the students. It is good that Mr. Rivers has the opportunity to speak on the matters.
ReplyDeleteSimply great! I know Larry and while I am not generally a fan of any bought and paid for student leadership at FAMU with very few exceptions and this being one. I can say this was good now they need to take it from offline and put it in the paper like the White folk negative crap!
ReplyDeleteCastell was a god-send for those who wanted to portray FAMU in the worst possible light. In order to present herself as a "savior," she constantly blew FAMU's problems out-proportion and even created lies to make it look like FAMU was in a crisis (e.g.: her claim about inheriting a $51M deficit in 2005 which remains completely unsubstantiated).
ReplyDeleteWhen her poor administrative decisions began to inflict havok, she blamed her subordinates and previous presidents. She never accepted any responsibility for any of the damage she caused. Writers like Bill Maxwell accepted her false accounts as the Gospel and simply served as extensions of her propaganda machine.
Maxwell is a sorry excuse for a journalist. He needs to enroll in a basic news writing and reporting class at FAMU's J-School ASAP!
FAMU is a fourth tier financially chaotic remedial course for people who do not even belong in college. FAMU's graduation rate is 33 percent, and Rivers is a bit naive and blinded by pride.
ReplyDelete9:48, you called it, and I concur.
ReplyDelete9:48 and your but budy can eat a
ReplyDeleteD!CK!
To the previous writer, while I do not believe this is a forum to bash persons who have their opinion, I do believe that you are in error.
ReplyDeleteWe may appear to be down now, however like the Phoenix, we will rise from the ashes and be a better and stronger institution FOR HAVING GONE THROUGH THE FIRES OF HELL BRYANT & COMPANY. You may call us as many names as you wish, however the bottom line is that your hatred for us only strenthens our resolve.
ALWAYS REMEMBER HE WHO LAUGHS LAST, LAUGHS BEST AND THE RATTLERS ARE COILING TO STRIKE, STRIKE, AND STRIKE UNTIL THE LAST NAYSYER IS LEFT WITH WITH THE VENOM OF THE ORANGE AND GREEN.
FAMU is classified as a Carnegie Doctoral Research University. The Carnegie Foundation does not award that prestigious distinction to "fourth tier financially chaotic remedial courses."
ReplyDeleteFAMU also regularly sends its graduates on to prestigious institutions such as Harvard (like Kenneth Perkins) UPenn, Berkeley, and Vanderbilt (like Rivers). The admissions committees at those top tier universities do not admit students from universities with poor reputations.
While FAMU has gone through some hard times for the past several years, it is one its way back to steady growth.
The Gainous and Bryant administrations (both orchestrated by Jim Corbin) were the absolute worse in FAMU history, with Bryant's claiming the top prize. We must move forward and write new chapters filled with success stories and pride. Thanks Larry, for telling the TRUTH!
ReplyDeleteClearly Anon @ 9:48 pm does not know FAMU history and does not know anything about the character and ethics of Mr. Rivers.
ReplyDelete12:08, your crassness and classless behavior are not wanted (or needed) here. Stay in your house and continue to watch Jerry Springer, which, obviously is your favorite show.
ReplyDelete2:43, I would hardly call 4 or 5 students a "regular" send-off.
ReplyDeleteCarnege is no measure of quality.
ReplyDeleteIn their own words:
"Another motivation for these changes has to do with the persistent confusion of classification and ranking. For years, both the Carnegie Foundation and others in the higher education community have been concerned about the extent to which the Carnegie Classification dominates considerations of institutional differences, and especially the extent to which it is misinterpreted as an assessment of quality, thereby establishing aspirational targets. This phenomenon has been most pronounced among doctorate-granting institutions, where it is not uncommon to find explicit strategic ambitions to “move up” the perceived hierarchy. By introducing a new set of classifications we hope to call attention to the range of ways that institutions resemble and differ from one another and also to deemphasize the improper use of the classification as informal quality touchstone."
From The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.carnegiefoundation.org/classifications/index.asp?key=63&search_flag=true&ref=748&start=782&ipgrad2005=18&basic2005=17&submit.x=46&submit.y=10&sort_by=STSORT
FAMU is denoted DRU: Doctoral Research University
Peers (in Florida): Barry University, Argosy University-Sarasota Campus, Nova Southeastern University,
Other peers of note: Oral Roberts University, Samford, Pepperdine,
Florida & FSU are RU/VH: Research Universities (very high research activity)
Peers: Harvard, Georgia Tech, Duke, Emory, most state Universities.
It appears that we ARE a "lower tier" classification and we ARE embroiled in a bit of a financial mess.
I don't like the tone of 9:48, but he/she has a point.
It appears that we ARE a "lower tier" classification
ReplyDeleteThe original statement was that FAMU was a "fourth tier" university. That is not true according to the Carnegie Foundation. DRU is part of the Doctorate-granting univerisities category -- the highest group of basic classification. That is not "fourth tier."
FAMU's other DRU peers include: American University, Depaul University, and Southern Methodist University.
The Carnegie classification system is not perfect, but it is still the standard for categorizing America's institutions of higher education.
2:43, I would hardly call 4 or 5 students a "regular" send-off.
Those were just a few examples from the top of my head. If want official stastics, you're free to consult FAMU's Graduate School.
we ARE embroiled in a bit of a financial mess.
And that financial mess was caused by JUCO administration rejects like James Corbin, Castell Bryant, and Debra Austin who never had any business trying to run a research university like FAMU. Now that we've gotten rid of the junior college leaders, cleaned up many of the conniving BoT members who colluded with them, and hired an experienced university administration to lead our institution, we'll return to the steady growth we were experiencing back during the late 1980s and 1990s.
Rivers is a very impressive young man. He's a credit to FAMU and I wish him well. Wish we had more like him.
ReplyDeleteIt is time for us, as FAMU ALUMNI, to stop accepting the definitions of others. That has been a problem that has plagued the African-Community since the days of slavery. So what if they call us f*&&^^ Tier or whatever percent or unqualified? What do we call ourselves? We are lawyers, doctors, politicians, engineers, pharmacists, nurses, actors, singers, professors, accountants, etc. WE ARE HERE! We survived every form of slavery, segregation, lynching, racism and all other evil, and crossed every roadblock set in our path. Want to count us out? Go ahead, but dig your own grave while you plan our demise. That is THE WORD!
ReplyDeleteListen here,
ReplyDeleteDo not disrespect the suffering of my ancestors by saying that WE (this generation) endures any form of slavery or lynching.
As a result of their sacrifice, I live in the greatest country on the planet and my opportunities are unlimited.
From the pilgrims, to the slaves, to the native Americans, to the Irish/Italian immigrants, to the current Mexican immigrants... All became Americans through suffering and oppression. Most races have been slaves or oppressed at some point in their history.
I Thank GOD that I do not live in the war torn Congo or Nigeria. What they meant for evil, God meant for good in my life. Blessed be the Name of the LORD.
I REJECT the African-American label. I am not African nor do I have the desire to go to Africa.
I am an American. Period.
11:45 pm
ReplyDeleteYOU'RE AN IDIOT! NO ONE ELSE BUT AFRICANS WERE BROUGHT HERE IN CHAINS AND AGAINST THEIR WILL! THE IRISH WOULD NOT BE HERE IF THEY KNEW HOW TO GROW FUCING FOOD! THE INDIANS HAVE BEEN WIPED OUT AND LIVE ON RESERVATIONS AND ARE PIMPED BY THE LIKES OF FSU AND THE HARD ROCK CAFE.AND MEXICANS WERE IN "AMERICA" BEFORE YOU! SO HOW IN THE HELL ARE THEY IMMIGRANTS? OH YEA BECAUSE WHITE FOLK TOOK THERE LANDS UNDER THE GUISE OF MANIFEST DESNITY! NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE NOW OR COULD BECOME YOU ARE AN AFRICAN IN AMERICA! IF YOU DO NOT BELIVE THAT THEN THE NEXT TIME YOU GO TO RENEW YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE TELL THEM YOU DO NOT WANT BLACK ON IT AND YOU ONLY WANT IT TO READ AMREICAN! GET REAL! YOU SPEAK FROM A POSTIOIN OF SHAME IF THE BOATS NEVER CAME TO AMERICA YO BLASCK ASS COULD VERY WELL BE IN THE CONGO! FURTHERMORE, OF THE OVER 50 MILLION AFRICANS DIED CROSSING THE OCAEN AGAINST THIER WILL SO THAT YOU COULD BE HERE, WHAT AN INSULT TO EVEN SUGGEST THAT YOU ARE NOT AFRICAN! YOUR IGNORANCE IS APPALLING AND DISGUST ME TO NO END AND I HOPE THAT ONE DAY YOU WILL GET OFF OF YOUR KNEES AND GET YOUR LIPS OFF THE WHITE MANS ASS AND STAND UP AND BE A MAN OR WOMAN THAT YOU CAN BE! BECUASE TO MANY AFRICANS DIED SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE!
Wow, anon at 11:45 pm, you are an example of "label" issue I addressed earlier.
ReplyDeleteI brought up lynching, segregation and all the other evils to SHOW that MY ancestors made in inspite of all of those things. Yes, our past does affect us, but it does not have to keep us back. Unfortunately, have moved to a worse place of killing our own dreams and futures.
I am an american born citizen of Carib Indian-Irish descent. The label attached to me by American society is African-American. I usually have to check something (when mandatory) or leave it out when it is not.
Instead of being offended by the African-American label, it think about my ancestors surviving lynchings, segregation, racism and ALL THOSE OTHER EVILS THAT STILL EXIST and I choose to rise above the label. I don't take it personally, I simply live by example. I had the honor of knowing many FAMU grads and I especially treasure my conversations with Dr. Benjamin Lampkin. Racism is alive and kicking, but we can stand above it instead of getting personally offended when the labels are stamped on us.
FAMU ALUMNI rise up! The 1885 Florida Constitution said you were not good enough and set aside FAMU for BLACK FOLK/NEGROES. Segregation laws said you were not good enough. Slavery said you were not good enough. But you are good enough, because your forefathers survived and you are here!
Move forward by hard work, determination and the grace of God.
We STILL shall overcome, whether our enemies come from within or without!
11:45 PM Poster,
ReplyDeleteI also reject the African American label. In fact, I despise being called an African American. I'm black and an American. I can live with being referred to as a Black American, but that African American is nothing other than it makes some people feel legitimate.
BOO-YA! We're searching, looking and peeping for a new "something," anything to keep the fires going up in here until our estemmed brother Ammons comes to town. Now, we're having a tire dialogue about what to call ourselves. My mom and day call what they named me, so I ain' gettin' my dander up over what other folks wanna sall me (or not call me). I know who I am.
ReplyDeleteOops! I mada a buncha boo-boos in the type on my above blog. Fat fingers flying across the ol' keyboard. Yikes! My apologies, plus I hope you can decipher the stuff.
ReplyDeleteA tired dialogue? If the people running this school for the past several years knew their name and the names of our current and future students the right thing would have been done and the bribery and trickery would have been left at the door. Yes, we would all love to be called "American" and be recognized by the content of our character alone. That is not reality. Reputation - the name(s) we are called - and the people who we are stereotypically associated with matters greatly in our professional and personal lives. If what we are called did not matter it would not be asked for on every loan application, driver's license, passport application, professional association application, school application, and every government or identity form.
ReplyDeleteI guess if we ignore the issue of identity and who does and does not get access to education everything will be O.K....just like everything has turned out O.K. when we ignored the esteemed leaders of FAMU.
The question is not why we would even want to acknowledge Africa, who has given us Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela and many other great men and women. The question is why would they want to associate with us?
God help us all when in our attempt to assimilate we completely disassociate with a rich and telling history.
Thank you Africa for giving up your slaves, who worked and toiled to build this country, American, which in turn produced FAMU, which in turn gave me an education.
I am eternally grateful for your sacrifices - past, present and future.
10:11 pm
ReplyDeleteI agree!
1:15 pm get your fact straight African Americans founded and introduced the Legislation to creat the college that later became the GREAT FAMU! Further,more you can go back to the islands or Ireland or where ever you want and there you can be called and deny any and everthing that you want, THERE! Yet, I am done with this conversation period.
It was not even on subject I simpy could not allow in my humble view for your ignorance to stand.
I will continue to donate MONEY to my BELOVED FAMU!! What about you?
Article XII, Section 12, of the 1885 Florida Constitution... "White and colored children shall not be taught in the same school, but impartial provision shall be made for both."
ReplyDeleteYes, I support FAMU in word, in deed and in dollars.
I'm not sure which Island you want me to go back to. There are so many islands around the world. You did not specify. Also, I was born here, a product of the slave trade that went through the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe.
I do hope you don't plan to send everyone who does not met you proper racial profile back to where you think they should be, next thing you know someone higher up the food chain may get the idea that you are not welcome here either.
9:48. Would an objective observer consider you a failure?
ReplyDeleteAll,
ReplyDeleteDo not let the lack of an enemy cause you to fight amongst each other about bullshit. Now that Jim Corbin's c-sucking cronies are essentially defeated does not mean we need to be directing energy toward nowhere conversations. Argue about which FAMU departments deserve donation money.
He is more like Jim Crow-bin.
ReplyDeleteNo disrespect, but FAMU is no Pepperdine or SMU. FAMU, with regard to the statistics, is the worse academic institution in the state. It is about to become the smallest as well. West Florida will have more students than FAMU this year, and FGCU will surpass FAMU in the next 2 to 3 years. The big problem at FAMU is that the university limits itself to recruiting one race of students. The realty is that most black students look elsewhere to go to college prefering a more diverse environment. FAMU has been accepting underqualified students for years and it is now catching up with the institution. Consequently, it's mission is outdated and it's education lacks behind many community colleges. TCC has more academic respect than FAMU. Another thing, many on this board use race as a crutch, which only hinders, and does not help development.
ReplyDeleteFAMU can neither be compared to DePaul University or American University. FAMU has a 33 percent graduation rate! FAMUans are dreaming if they think they can even compete on a state level. FAMU is a one race institution with no desire to be diverse. That is backwards, consequently the brightest students are going elsewhere. FAMU is in the dark ages still. Listening to posters spew about being brought here against your will, the slave master, etc. etc., but failing to mention, that warring tribes in Africa sold their captive enemies to the traders. Africans sold africans into slavery.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 3:01 am, you are missing the point, but that is to be expected. This is a discussion by those concerned about the education and future of our children and we know that very few has their best interests at heart.
ReplyDeleteWe chose to learn from slavery and those who fought for us..that even when it was illegal to read, they did; that even when it was painful to sacrifice loved ones they did; that even when the dogs were on them they marched; and that even when their very lives were on the liine they said "I've been to the mountain top.."
Have June and the others resigned yet? What about Branker?
ReplyDeleteWith all of this fighting goodthing I put in for UF nrxt year.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the help in making my mind up.
Hope you get in at UF. The Rattler Nation will stand without ya. See ya @ Homecoming and the FL Classic!
ReplyDeleteWould you send you child to FAMU?
ReplyDeleteI mean if they were really smart...
FAMU is a textbook study in nepotism. Look what happens when you only hire your family and friends and when the overriding job qualification is the color of you skin.
ReplyDelete