Enrollment at FAMU was down 18% . That report came out of this morning's Board of Trustees meeting. It's tough news for a school already struggling financially.
Florida A & M University Trustees began two days of meetings this morning. FAMU's vice president says student enrollment declined by 487 student; that's 18%. The VP says decline in enrollment means decline in dollars, saying there's a possibility of shorting the university by 2.5 million dollars.
The budget, tuition, and a tough new hazing policy take center stage on the agenda. Later this afternoon, trustees will discuss plans to hire an anti hazing policy coordinator who would report to the President. The plan also includes a "Compliance Officer" within the band structure to make sure non students don't travel with the band, and that students maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average.
"We are also ready to update you on all of the issues that we have dealt with around hazing in the band and also the climate at FAMU," FAMU President James Ammons said.
The final vote will take place tomorrow.
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Tallahassee, Florida - June 6, 2012 - 10:35am
The proposed anti-hazing plan is on the agenda for 2pm, but the president's operating budget requests have trustees dwelling into the hazing issue a. One of FAMU President Dr. James Ammons' requests is $196,000 to hire a Hazing Czar and a Compliance Officer. While most trustees seem to agree with the idea of hiring someone with the authority to try to end hazing, some have concerns. The concern of the amount of money proposed was raised. Another trustee questioned giving the responsibilities to existing leadership rather than creating new positions.
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Tallahassee, Florida - June 6, 2012 - 10am
FAMU's vice president says student enrollment declined by 487 students in 2011, which equals a 18% drop. The VP says the decline in enrollment means a decline in dollars, saying there's a possibility of shorting the university by $2.5 million. _______________________
Tallahassee, Florida - June 6, 2012 -
The FAMU Board of Trustees Summer Retreat is underway at the Al Lawson Center. The retreat began first thing this morning with the budget workshop. Administrators report that the 2012-2013 will begin with a budget of $147,508,969. FAMU's state funding was cut by $19,850,901. The provost says the amount being collected in tuition is going up but appropriations are going down.
Replies
Enrollment is down nationwide for the most part with a lot of schools struggling to make their incoming class. That 18% drop in enrollment of 487 seems to only be counting the incoming class which should be about 2,500 (1,970 freshmen and 530 transfers). From what i've heard and keep hearing about financial aid & admissions up there; maybe they should invest some attention to those offices so they can get those numbers back up. But from the looks of the report it seems like they want to blame part of the financial shortfall on the band?...or basically just C.Y.A.'ing from the state O_o! Let's see how they try to spin this one.
Until the band come back. Every financial issue will have something to do with the band or its absent. without the Music, Journalism and Pharmacy Dept there is no FAM
Devon said:
I've heard great things about the Pharmacy dept...best of luck to FAMU!
D_ Brad FAM 100 said:
You don't know how vital some bands are for HBCU's. Bands actually can attract people to the university. FAMU has had so much negative press i'm not shocked that enrollment is down. Not only did the band get painted in a negative light but also the FAMU administration so many people wouldn't send their child through that drama.
Devon said:
I know how vital the role they (HBCU bands) play are...but the info they are reporting is from the 2011 incoming class when they weren't in the spotlight. So true, if numbers were already down before the band brought national (negative) attention to FAMU then the enrollment may suffer even more. If they are going to blame the band for any drop in enrollment it can't be until after the official numbers are ran from the 2012-13 academic year. Right now it seems like they are just fanning the flames toward the band (for the general public) since they are already under fire for the hazing incident.
RJ1919 said:
Well you know they are going to put the blame on the band to take pressure off them.
Devon said: