Despite FAMU’s high hopes this legislative session, its pursuit of a dental school came short of the finish line.The companion bills to authorize a FAMU College of Dental Medicine, filed by Sen. Al Lawson and Rep. Alan Williams, both died in committee.
FAMU did receive good news in its budget that will help it kick the dental school planning process into high gear.
Lawson netted a special $6M line item for FAMU outreach projects. He said the money could go to help FAMU rescue a Jacksonville dental clinic that the University of Florida plans to close on June 30, 2010.
Moving into the Jacksonville building would significantly reduce the start-up costs associated with opening a FAMU dental school. FAMU could begin its program in Jacksonville until it acquires a facility in Tallahassee. After that, the Jacksonville clinic could become a residency site.
Additionally, FAMU received new general revenue and educational enhancement dollars that will help it fund some of the personnel positions that were being paid out of federal stimulus money. That means the university now has great flexibility to pay for the estimated $1.5M in planning costs associated with the dental school.