The Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering will remain united, as decided at the Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday.
Some students said they are excited about the trustees’ decision to remain together.
“I’m glad we’re not splitting because I get to experience the best of both worlds,” said Markita Phillips, 23, a graduate mechanical engineering student from Clinton, Md. “I love FAMU but I also love the fact we have a great partnership with FSU.”
However, other students said FAMU needs a separate building for research. Students said there are too many people who occupy the lab when studying.
“It’s great news we’re not splitting but we still need help,” said Marline Daceus, a second-year civil engineering student from Orlando. “We don’t have our own research building and it’s hard. We need more assistance.”
Ching-Jen Chen, dean of the College of Engineering, asked the board of trustees for help regarding the $32 million research building construction.
He said the engineering program has been a diverse program for both FAMU and FSU College of Engineering.
Continuing plans for additional buildings at the College of Engineering, establishing corporate partnerships, and developing external funding opportunities are some areas FAMU is reviewing.
While FAMU doesn’t know when they will have their own research building, the university realizes the College of Engineering will need more space.
“We don’t know when we will have our research building but we are working with the state. We need more research space,” said provost Cynthia Hughes Harris.
Although the school will not separate, James Ammons, president of FAMU, along with faculty, expressed a desire to see FAMU students uphold the Rattler spirit at the College of Engineering.
Trustees said FAMU should continue to support the current structure of the College of Engineering while strengthening the programs and the relationship with FSU.
Since the engineering students use FSU’s email accounts and blackboard account, Ammons spoke about the importance of maintaining an identity.
Alishia Ferrell, 22, a fourth-year industrial engineering student from Ypsilanti Mich., said the diversity is what makes the program worthwhile.
“I would not want other engineering students to miss what I’ve experienced at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering,” she said.
Students, administrators and staff are all passionate about the place in which we live, learn and work. That passion translates into the pursuit of excellence.