According to members of the One FAMU Association, President Fred Gainous’ decision to leave the University will not have an impact on the future of the association.
Adrian Jordan, founder of the One FAMU Association, said members will continue to pursue their goal.
“We will not change at all. We will continue to work toward our mission of bridging the gap between the student body and the Student Government Association,” said Jordan, 20, a junior business administration student from Washington, D.C.
David Gibson Jr., president of the One FAMU Association, said the organization will continue toward its goal by forming a working relationship with the new president.
“We will build a bond with whoever comes in to promote the association’s mission of uniting the University,” said Gibson, 21, a junior business administration student from West Palm Beach.
Members of the organization said they are concerned about how Gainous’ decision will affect the University as a whole.
“We are worried about what the condition of the school is going to be after Gainous leaves, and what steps are being taken to put a new president in place,” said Bethany Jones, 18, a freshman biological and agricultural systems engineering program student from Houston. Jones is the secretary for the One FAMU Association.
Damita Davis, 20, a junior business administration student from Landover, Md., echoed her sentiments.
“There are answers as to what is going to happen to Gainous, but no answers as to what is going to happen to the students,” she said.
Jordan said he founded the One FAMU Association in an attempt to provide students with a better understanding of student government.
“I wanted to make students more aware of how SGA operates, especially after the confusion that surrounded the impeachment of Larry O. Rivers,” he said. Rivers served as SGA President during the 2003-2004 school year.
According to Article 3 of the One FAMU Association’s mission statement, the organization is in no way a legislative, judicial or executive force under SGA.
“We are not affiliated with SGA, but we audit student government to inform students on what SGA is doing,” Jones said. “We want to make sure that students are being well-represented.”
Although the One FAMU Association is not sponsored by SGA, and it was not formed by Gainous, Jordan said the president inspired him to promote the idea of uniting the University.
“Gainous had always mentioned the concept of ‘One FAMU,’ so I decided now would be a good time to unite the student body,” he said.
Jordan founded the organization last spring.
Although the organization has been in existence for a short time, Jones said members have been working to unite the student body and SGA by holding meetings where students can voice their concerns.
Jones said Virgil Miller, the president of SGA, spoke about the condition of the University, at their most recent meeting.
Jones said much has been accomplished since the spring.
“We have set up a call center for high school students who are interested in attending FAMU,” she said. “We have also signed up new student boosters.”
According to Jordan, the number of boosters has increased from 12 to 130.
He said the boosters help provide funds for the University’s athletic programs.
Despite Gainous’ decision, members said they plan to continue their efforts.
“His decision will make us work harder to keep students involved, inform them of the issues and keep them aware of the process of selecting the new president,” Jordan said.
Gibson agreed.
“We will continue to operate and create one FAMU throughout campus.”
Contact Mika Cooper at famuannews@hotmail.com