What’s New?
Florida A&M University’s interim president demanded the immediate resignation of multiple senior leaders in his cabinet, effective Tuesday, in an effort to restructure the “leadership, vision, and strategies” of the historically Black institution, according to a copy of an email sent on Monday and obtained by The Chronicle.
The decision comes about a month after the previous university president abruptly resigned and less than a week after a extensive report found that the university rushed the vetting process of a botched $237-million donation made during its spring commencement. The university’s vice president for advancement also resigned in May.
Interim President Timothy Beard said in the letter to his cabinet that the resignations are essential for the university “to achieve its long-term goals,” and requested the resignations by the end of the day.
“After careful consideration and in consultation with the Board of Trustees, the past University President, and from my observations, I have concluded that a change in our senior leadership team is necessary to move forward more effectively,” Beard wrote.
The president’s cabinet is composed of key positions in university operations. According to a university spokesperson, Beard is seeking the resignations of various vice presidents, such as the vice president for student affairs, the vice president for academic instruction, and the vice president and director of athletics, among others.
“This decision was not made lightly and is rooted in a commitment to ensuring that our University is positioned for future success and growth,” Beard added, attaching a resignation template for his staff to use.
According to an email obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat, Tiffani-Dawn Sykes has already resigned as athletics director following Beard’s request.
“The purpose of this communication is to let you know that effective immediately, I am no longer employed at FAMU,” Sykes wrote in the email to her athletics staff.
The Details
Last week, the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney law firm released a 176-page report commissioned by the university that found that its leadership ignored numerous red flags surrounding the validity of the entrepreneur Gregory Gerami’s finances, and failed to “raise concerns or seek financial advice,” before making his purported $237-million donation public.
The State University System of Florida’s Board of Governors has launched a separate investigation into the donation. Those findings have not yet been released.
Larry Robinson, the former FAMU president who resigned last month, did not attribute the financial debacle as the reason for stepping down, but had previously taken “full responsibility” for the scrutiny the university received and his role in Gerami’s donation.
A university spokesman said that a formal presidential search committee has not been formed.
What’s Next
FAMU’s fall classes begin later this month, as the university anticipates a sizable freshman class.
FAMU’s Office of Communications did not respond to additional questions on how the resignations may impact university operations ahead of the quickly approaching academic year.
