Less than half of the members currently serving on the Board of Trustees graduated from the University.
Of the 13 members of Florida A&M University’s BOT, only four are alumni: William Jennings, Laura Branker, Pamela Duncan and W. George Allen.
Student Government Association President Ramon Alexander is also on the board, a practice followed by all other universities in the state.
But FAMU is not alone.
Most state colleges and universities have less than six alumni including the SGA member in the BOT, according to the Florida Board of Education. Florida State University and the University of Florida are the only two institutions with majority alumni trustees.
While the governor chooses half of the trustees, and the Board of Governors selects the other half, it is not required for trustees to have graduated from the institution.
Some FAMU board members believe dedication to the University is more important than if a trustee is an alumnus.
Jennings said that while he believes it is helpful to have graduates serving on the board, what is more essential is their dedication to education in general.
“I think what’s more important is a commitment to universities and other HBCUs,” Jennings said.
Alexander echoed Jennings’ comment by saying that alumni do not bring with them a guaranteed commitment to the school.
“Quite frankly, there could be graduates of FAMU who don’t care about FAMU,” Alexander said.
But he indicated that graduates who are competent and dedicated are the most desirable trustees.
“I will say that if there are qualified FAMU grads out there-and there are- that they should be chosen to serve on the board.”
Duncan and Alexander said diversity among the members is also important.
“My family is all Rattlers, and I’ve known since I was eight what my alma mater would be. It’s good to have people come from different backgrounds and experiences,” Duncan said.
Jennings said he feels comfortable with the allegiance of the current board.
“When you look at the make-up of the board, I think that the commitment is there”
Jennings said that he believes the board sees the need to have institutions like FAMU.
Duncan also said that she felt that the board has the University’s best interests in mind.
“I think that the board is the most cohesive since I’ve been on it. I really enjoy the folks I work with on the board.”
“I genuinely feel like they are interested in the school’s success and its future.”
Some students are more critical of the low number of graduates on the board.
“I think that the Board of Trustees’ main focus should be this school,” said Rondarious Harris, 28, a senior English student from Panama City. “They (alumni) understand what it means to go to this school. They understand the past, present and particularly the future that students will have to face.”
LaShawn Austin, 20, a psychology student, said the board is not visible enough amongst students and many members do not involve themselves with the student body.
The junior from Crestview said for that reason, alumni are crucial to a good board.
“All of them should be alumni. If you don’t know what it’s like to be here how can you run things?”
Kenneth Davis, 20, a business administration student agreed. Davis said that the board of trustees should be made up of at least a majority of alumni from FAMU.
Davis, a third-year student from Houston, also agreed that a trustee’s personal experience at the University is an asset.
“You should have your school represented by people who went there and who know what it (the school) needs.” Jennings said that while he believes it is helpful to have graduates serving on the board, what is more essential is their dedication to education in general.
“I think what’s more important is a commitment to universities and other HBCUs,” Jennings said.
Alexander echoed Jennings’ comment by saying that alumni do not bring with them a guaranteed commitment to the school.
“Quite frankly, there could be graduates of FAMU who don’t care about FAMU,” Alexander said.
But he indicated that graduates who are competent and dedicated are the most desirable trustees. “I will say that if there are qualified FAMU grads out there-and there are- that they should be chosen to serve on the board.”
Duncan and Alexander said diversity among the members is also important.
“My family is all Rattlers, and I’ve known since I was eight what my alma mater would be. It’s good to have people come from different backgrounds and experiences,” Duncan said.
Jennings said he feels comfortable with the allegiance of the current board.
“When you look at the make-up of the board, I think that the commitment is there. The board sees the need to have institutions like A&M.” Duncan also said that she felt that the board has the University’s best interests in mind.
“I think that the board is the most cohesive since I’ve been on it. I really enjoy the folks I work with on the board. I genuinely feel like they are interested in the school’s success and its future.”
Some students are more critical of the low number of graduates on the board.
“I think that the Board of Trustees’ main focus should be this school,” said Rondarious Harris, 28, a senior English student from Panama City. “They (alumni) understand what it means to go to this school. They understand the past, present and particularly the future that students will have to face.”
LaShawn Austin, 20, a psychology student, said the board is not visible enough amongst students and many members do not involve themselves with the student body. The junior from Crestview said for that reason, alumni are crucial to a good board.
“All of them should be alumni. If you don’t know what it’s like to be here how can you run things?”
Kenneth Davis, 20, a business administration student, agreed that at least a majority of alumni should be on the board. Davis, a third-year student from Houston, also agreed that a trustee’s personal experience at the University is an asset. “You should have your school represented by people who went there and who know what it (the school) needs.”
Contact Mackenzie Turberville at famuannews@hotmail.com