Florida A&M this week started cutting jobs throughout the university as part of the impending restructuring process. FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communications lost 13 staff members – from office assistants to managers.
The university issued termination notices to 48 workers Tuesday, placing them on “administrative leave with pay” until June 30 – when the positions will officially be terminated. SJGC Dean James E. Hawkins circulated an email to faculty calling Wednesday a “dark day for the [school].”
FAMU has announced plans to cut the Graphics Communication program.
Included in the cuts from SJGC are Diane Hall, Dorothy Chaney, Yolanda Willis-Young, Costella Jones, Ulysses Franklin, Linda Mock and Thivin Lanh. Six staffers who were being paid from federal government stimulus dollars were also dismissed.
FAMU’s restructuring, which eclipsed all other news of the university’s Spring 2011 semester, is the result of sweeping budget cuts throughout the state and the loss of millions in stimulus dollars. The university plans to combine several departments and colleges, and dispense with numerous programs.
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