Hours before the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) is set to vote on confirming Marva Johnson as FAMU’s 13th president, the grassroots coalition Keepers of the Flame issued a sharply worded open letter demanding Johnson commit to legally binding safeguards against dismantling academic programs at the state’s only public historically Black university.
The group, comprised of over 5,000 FAMU alumni, students, faculty, and allies, accused trustees of sidelining community input during Johnson’s contentious selection process and warned her appointment risks further eroding FAMU’s institutional independence. Dubbing themselves “Rattlers, not snakes,” the coalition is calling for Johnson to amend her contract to include an Academic Program Integrity Addendum—a measure requiring a two-thirds trustee vote and public comment before any program closures or restructuring.
“This is about accountability, not trust”
In the letter, the group cited FAMU’s history of defending its academic mission, including the loss of its law school in the 1960s and repeated threats to its engineering, nursing, allied health and pharmacy programs. “Vigilance is not optional—it is required,” they wrote, urging Johnson to publicly pledge support for the addendum prior to Wednesday’s BOG vote.
The proposed clause would bar Johnson or her administration from initiating changes to academic programs without a supermajority vote by the Board of Trustees at a publicly noticed meeting. “We have a duty to confront not just the politics of your appointment, but the potential consequences of your tenure,” the letter stated.
Confirmation vote proceeds amid rising tensions
The demand amplifies months of backlash over Johnson’s selection, which critics argue was rushed and politically influenced. Johnson, a former Florida Board of Education chair and Charter Communications executive, has faced scrutiny over her ties to Florida's GOP leadership including Gov. Ron DeSantis and US Senator Rick Scott and her lack of traditional academic leadership experience.
While FAMU’s Board of Trustees has stood by Johnson, praising her “vision to elevate [FAMU’s] academic and research enterprise,” Keepers of the Flame has mobilized opposition, raising over $6,000 to send students to the BOG meeting in Boca Raton. The group has also garnered support from local leaders and national leaders including U.S. Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Leader, US House of Representatives.
Broader fight for institutional autonomy
The clash underscores FAMU’s decades-long struggle against underfunding and political interference. A 2023 U.S. Department of Education report found Florida underfunded FAMU by nearly $2 billion compared to the University of Florida—a disparity advocates say has left the HBCU with more than $212 million in deferred maintenance and vulnerable to program cuts.
“FAMU’s identity is non-negotiable,” the letter emphasized. “We are not anti-growth. We are anti-assimilation.”
As of Tuesday evening, Johnson had not publicly responded to the addendum demand. The BOG’s confirmation vote is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon around 2:30 pm.
she should just withdraw her name from consideration!!!! The students, the alumni don't want her... AND, the FAMU BOT will turn on her at a moments notice. Honestly, her life will be miserable !!!
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