Sen. Mandy Dawson, D-Fort Lauderdale, questioned why Florida A&M University is not included in a research consortium that will study energy issues in Florida.Dawson brought it up on the Senate floor Thursday morning while the energy bill, SB 1544, was amended to conform with the House version.
The bill sets up a consortium with the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of South Florida, University of Central Florida and Florida Atlantic University.
Dawson, who attended Florida A&M, asked why historically black FAMU in Tallahassee was not include, when Sen. Burt Saunders, R-Naples and the bill's sponsor, said the consortium's members were suggested by the universities themselves.
"And it would appear regardless where they came from, Florida A&M should still be a part of those programs," Dawson said."It is a research university and is the only predominantly African-American (state university in Florida). So again, why isn't it part of the research consortium?"
Saunders responded, "I'll be happy to take a look at other universities. But I think the bottom line is if you start opening this up, you can make an argument for all of them (other state universities)."
Action was delayed pending approval of the House version of the bill.
I think the Senator was 100% WRONG and I am a FAMUAN tried and true! We have bigger fish to fry at this moment in time and the energy consortium is not one of them! Futhermore, when FAMU was dwn and getting kicked like a stray dawg where was the Senator then?
ReplyDeleteI think the Senator is 100% RIGHT. FAMU is a research university and should be given the opportunity to receive millions of dollars in grants just like the other university. This is nothing but racist cherry picking, pure and simple. Thank you Senator Dawson for standing up for FAMU.
ReplyDeleteThanks Senator Dawson ! For shinning the light on this, this was indeed racist cherry picking at its best!
ReplyDeleteLet's see. The issue is research. The research area is energy. The research participants are colleges and universities and you think it's wrong to get FAMU involved. We haven't seen that type of shortsighted thinking since CVB left.
ReplyDeleteFAMU should definitely be included. With our Environmental Sciences Institute, Physics research, and Engineering school we definitely have the resources to contribute.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened here? Did CVB simply refuse to apply for membership in the consortium? If so, then FAMU should not be punished for the actions of an inpet leader that the Board of Governors tried to keep in power against the will of people who actually cared for the university.
@8:59 AM You ain't a rattler tried and true. I see comments like yours on here all the time talking about FAMU has more important things to worry about. As if the university was one person.
ReplyDeletemandy dawson needs to find something else to complain about.
ReplyDeleteMandy Dawson is right to stand up for FAMU. FAMU should be included in the consortium. Period!
ReplyDeleteLeave her alone at least when Al retires we can have someone on the floor...plus...she's my bust it baby
ReplyDeletego away, mandy. and nothing y'all say here makes a bit of difference.plus, this is old news. read any florida paper--online or hard copy--and the story's yesterday's news.
ReplyDeleteStanding up for FAMU is NEVER old news. Thank you Senator Dawson for your bravery and concern for FAMU. We need those research grants so that we can make a difference in people's lives.
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