Education
FAMU Announces Plans to Reopen, Return to Campus Monday
For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 16, 2024
FAMU Announces Plans to Reopen, Return to Campus Monday
Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Tallahassee campus will re-open on Monday, May 20 to begin in-person summer classes and for non-essential employees to return to the office.
Since a tornado struck campus on Friday, May 10, non-essential employees have been working remotely out of concern for their safety and to facilitate the speedy removal of debris and the repairs to damaged buildings.
President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., has expressed admiration for what has been accomplished over the past six days.
“It’s a testament to the work that these people around me and those who have worked with them have done,” Robinson said Wednesday as he stood with senior Finance and Administration leadership following a tour of the campus.
Campus classrooms are ready to welcome the 3,200 undergraduate students and 463 graduate students enrolled in Summer A&C classes. The add-drop period has been extended to Monday, May 20.
The recent storm damaged several lab fume hood systems. As a result, the Department of Environmental, Health and Safety advises faculty, staff and students the use of fume hoods is prohibited without explicit approval until further notice.
While the FAMU Developmental Research School and the Durell Peaden Jr. Rural Pharmacy Education Campus in Crestview are open for normal operations, the Educational Research Center for Child Development (ERCCD) will remain closed until further notice.
The May 10 tornado and high winds damaged roofs, downed trees and utility poles, blocked roadways and knocked out power across the FAMU campus. FAMU officials are tracking clean-up and recovery expenses with the hope of reimbursement if there is a federal disaster declaration.
The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center. Not far away, in the Bragg Stadium parking lot, the Florida Small Business Development Center is operating a mobile unit to offer consultation to small business owners who may be affected by the storm.
###
Media Contact
Andrew J. Skerritt
Associate Director/Media Relations
850-544-2675
Office of Communications
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
1601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 200, Tallahassee, FL
Main: 850-599-3413
FAMU Announces Investigation, Appoints Interim VP for University Advancement
For Immediate Release
May 15, 2024
FAMU Announces Investigation, Appoints Interim VP for University Advancement
Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Board of Trustees (BOT) voted Wednesday to conduct an independent investigation into the handling of the Gregory Gerami gift.
The vote during a Zoom meeting was held hours after Shawnta Friday-Stroud, Ph.D., vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FAMU Foundation, resigned to return fulltime to her role as School of Business and Industry dean.
In announcing the news to the University of Advancement staff, President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., said during this transition period, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer (COO) Donald Palm, Ph.D., will step in to serve as the interim vice president for Advancement.
“Donald brings with him a wealth of experience and a dedication to our institution’s mission. I am confident that he will capably fulfill this role,” Robinson said.
Since August 2023, Palm has served as EVP/COO. In that role, he is charged with the guiding strategy for vice presidents and other senior administrators to improve outcomes on key performance indicators and achieve operational excellence throughout the University.
A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native, Palm completed a doctorate in pharmacology at Penn State University. Palm served as vice president/provost at Virginia State University before returning to FAMU, where until 2016, he was associate provost for Undergraduate Studies and a tenured professor in the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health.
While Palm serves in the interim University Advancement role, FAMU is in the “process of working with the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) to identify a longer-term interim vice president for Advancement, who will help steer us forward as we prepare for a national search to fill this important position,” Robinson said. “I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining the momentum of our advancement efforts during this period.”
A national search in 2023 did not produce a replacement for Friday-Stroud, who has previously expressed her desire to return to SBI full-time.
During the BOT meeting, Trustee Belvin Perry praised Friday-Stroud for her good years in the Foundation and her efforts at “producing record numbers in giving.”
“Nobody has raised the kind of money she has,” Perry said. “I just want to thank her as we move forward for the outstanding job she has done.”
Since July 1, 2020, Friday-Stroud and her fundraising team have raised $75.3 million in cash and $10.7 million in pledges.
BOT Chair Kristin Harper also praised Friday-Stroud for her contributions.
In response to a question from Trustee Loryn May, the Student Government Association president, Robinson was emphatic.
“FAMU’s financial standing is strong,” said Robinson, citing a recent clean audit from the state. He also mentioned a $225,000 gift from Shell received Wednesday. “People out there still have tremendous confidence in you, our students,” Robinson said.
###
Media Contact
Andrew J. Skerritt
Associate Director/Media Relations
850-544-2675
Office of Communications
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
1601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 200, Tallahassee, FL
Main: 850-599-3413
FAMU Resumes Remote Work on Wednesday As Clean-Up Continues
For Immediate Release
May 14, 2024
FAMU Resumes Remote Work on Wednesday As Clean-Up Continues
Florida A&M University (FAMU) resumes remote work on Wednesday as federal, state, and county emergency management officials plan a visit to the Tallahassee campus to assess tornado damage and storm recovery efforts.
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will join state and county officials in walking the campus with University administrators and staff.
Since the tornado struck on Friday morning, FAMU employees and contractors have been removing fallen trees, clearing debris, and securing damaged roofs with tarpaulin. More than a dozen buildings’ roofs were damaged.
FAMU, the state of Florida, and Leon County have all issued state of emergency declarations in response to the storm damage.
The campus was closed Tuesday as a precaution as more storms were forecasted. The University will resume remote work for the remainder of the week as the clean-up and repairs continue.
Faculty and non-essential staff are asked to work remotely until instructed to return to the office. Other Professional Service (OPS) employees are permitted to work at the authorization of their supervisor.
FAMU Developmental Research School and the Durell Peaden Jr. Rural Pharmacy Education Campus in Crestview will re-open for normal operations on Wednesday. The Educational Research Center for Child Development (ERCCD) remains closed for the remainder of the week.
Summer A and C classes will be conducted via remote through May 17, while the campus cleanup is underway. Students are advised to contact their course instructors for more details. The add-drop period has been extended to Monday, May 20.
FAMU’s Baseball team is scheduled to host Mississippi Valley State University Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for the final regular season series. The ground will be open to spectators.
FAMU Police Department is providing security for the American Red Cross Shelter at the Lawson Multipurpose Center. Interim Police Chief Sgt. John Cotton is asking those on campus to lock their vehicles to deter theft.
###
Media Contact
Andrew J. Skerritt
Associate Director/Media Relations
850-544-2675
Office of Communications
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
1601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 200, Tallahassee, FL
Main: 850-599-3413
Statement from FAMU BOT Chair Kristin Harper
Statement from FAMU BOT Chair Kristin Harper
Chair Kristin Harper
FAMU Board of Trustees
May 10, 2024
Last Saturday, May 4, 2024, a gift of $237 million was announced at the university’s commencement. In addition to the gift announcement, the donor was afforded the opportunity to address the commencement audience. Serious concerns have been raised regarding the validity of the gift, the adequacy of the due diligence processes and whether the Foundation Board and Board of Trustees have been provided ample oversight opportunity. I regrettably share these concerns.
As a result, I have taken the following actions:
· The administration was directed to conduct briefings with each Trustee.
· A special Board of Trustees meeting will be convened on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 3 p.m. Several Trustees have expressed a shared interest in thoroughly and transparently addressing these issues.
We are committed to seeking truth and to recommending any corrective actions necessary to improve the operations and controls of our university. A formal meeting is required for the Trustees to continue this important work.
We will get to the bottom of this. I ask for patience and grace as we work diligently to gather information, take action, and build a stronger Florida A&M University. I look forward to updating the Rattler community as we learn more.
Thank you
FAMU Closed Friday Due to Severe Weather
Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Tallahassee campus, FAMU Developmental Research School (DRS), and the Educational Research Center for Child Development, are closed Friday due to severe weather conditions, including a localized tornado warning.
All non-essential employees are instructed to work from home. Those employees who have already reached campus are asked seek safe shelter immediately and to exercise caution as they return home.
There are reports of power outages, downed trees, blocked roadways, and scattered debris across the campus. A damage assessment is being conducted.
###
Photos: The severe storms knocked down trees across campus. Photo Credit: Joseph Maleszewski/FAMU
Media Contact
Andrew J. Skerritt
Associate Director/Media Relations
850-544-2675
FAMU Receives $9M Federal Grant to Develop Community Schools in North Florida
Funding from the U.S. Department of Education will drive academic success
and provide wraparound support to students, educators, and families.
Florida A&M University (FAMU) has received a [Read more…] about FAMU Receives $9M Federal Grant to Develop Community Schools in North Florida
Florida Sheriffs Association and State Farm Commit to Improving Teen Driving
The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) is pleased to [Read more…] about Florida Sheriffs Association and State Farm Commit to Improving Teen Driving
40 Years Of Symposia: FSU Art History Celebrates Original Graduate Student Research
Florida State University’s Department of Art History will [Read more…] about 40 Years Of Symposia: FSU Art History Celebrates Original Graduate Student Research
FAMU Names Jennifer Wilder AVP To Lead Business and Auxiliary Services
Florida A&M University has announced the [Read more…] about FAMU Names Jennifer Wilder AVP To Lead Business and Auxiliary Services