Legislative budget negotiators, yesterday evening, reached a final deal on the state’s 2019-20 budget with an agreement on university construction projects. The final budget which is expected to be close to $90 billion, included $24,845,000 for a the new FAMU Center for Access and Student Success (CASS) Building, currently under construction in the Gaither Gym parking lot. FAMU had received $16.1 million in funding for the building in previous years. The building is expected to be completed next summer.
According to FAMU: “The FAMU Center for Access and Student Success (CASS) is designed to be a multipurpose building serving as a one-stop shop for programs like recruitment, admissions, financial aid and enrollment management. This building will also house the university registrar, scholarship office, counseling services and the Center for Disability Access and Resources.”
The 60-day legislative session is schedule to end on Friday, but could have to be extended to Saturday to give legislators the required 72 hours to review the budget before they vote on it.