First, there were reports that Castell Bryant was seen mingling in Bethune-Cookman University’s sky box during the Orlando Classic.Then, B-CU updated its webpage to reveal that it had, indeed, hired Castell as interim vice-president of academic affairs.
Still, more than a week went by without any explanation for the decision that shocked many throughout the HBCU world.
That changed on Tuesday, when B-CU President Trudie Kibbe Reed finally delivered her first public comments about why she hired FAMU’s former interim head.
"Dr. Bryant is an experienced administrator whose commitment to excellence in higher education is unparalleled," Reed told reporters. "She will be able to hit the ground running as we prepare for a series of important accreditation visits."
B-CU is preparing to seek reaffirmation of accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, scheduled for 2010.
Daytona News-Journal reporter Mark Harper subtly pointed to the irony of Castell’s appointment. She was hired to help B-CU satisfy SACS requirements even though she left FAMU on probation with that same accrediting body.
Harper also made the assertion that Bryant "inherited a school that was beset with financial problems, some of which were resolved during her tenure.” However, no list of “resolved” financial problems was included in the article.
Castell’s administration was responsible for the first and only qualified state audits in FAMU’s history. The audits proved that Bryant, who was hired to help FAMU’s financial division, left it in worse shape.
B-CU’s VP of academic affairs post has been a revolving door. The university has had four different individuals in that position in four years.
Cookman hires Castell as interim-VP
Let us not forget the fact that she made a statement that she did not support any HBCU. This is really sad news.
ReplyDeleteI want more for BC-U.
ReplyDeleteAnd BC-U should want more for itself. It probably does, but Reed is in the driver's seat, so what can folks do? Does anyone remember the terrible, awful things she said about FAMU when she was exiting the university -- the interview that she gave to the SPTimes reporter about FAMU students being "two's" and how she wouldn't send a child of hers to the university. Apparently Reed & Co. don't have a clue as to the damage she is capable of doing. She came to FAMU in good faith, too, but look at the long-term damage she did. All I can say is Lord, help them.
ReplyDeleteI still talk to many people outside of FAMU who still honestly think that Castell somehow made some kind of progress. I had to honestly had a real argument with a good friend about Castell's contribution and efforts; and all of her arguments were based on things she read in the St. Petersburg Times and Palm Beach Post!
ReplyDeleteIt just baffles me at what many people still believe. I would think that between her damage done to Miami-Dade AND FAMU, people would have more sense than this. I guess it's just one of those of things where they won't know until they KNOW....so sad for BCU.
The St. Pete Times and Palm Beach Post writers who ignored the facts and praised Castell as a heroine should really be ashamed of themselves.
ReplyDeleteAll that disinformation helped set B-CU up for the train wreck that's about to happen.
To 12/05/2008 3:38 PM
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is by design. trudie and cassie -- the dynamic duo
Trudie has a job for Cassie to do. God help BCU as the blood letting begins!
ReplyDelete