Ammons Quits as President, but Will Stay on as ‘Tenured Faculty’

Florida A&M President James H. Ammons resigned Wednesday amid the controversy surrounding the hazing death of Marching “100” drum major Robert Champion in November. His resignation, effective Oct. 11, 2012, comes after weeks of speculation of whether he would be giving up his post.

The university’s Board of Trustees have been meeting since 4 p.m. Members are likely that the board will be discussing the resignation. (The call is open to the public, and the call-in number is 1-800-309-9169.)

In a letter to BOT chairman Solomon Badger, Ammons said his decision came after “considerable thought, introspection and conversations with my family.” He will stay on as an administrator. “Following the presidency, I will continue my work on science, technology, engineering and math STEM initiatives as a tenured full professor on our great faculty,” Ammons wrote.

Ammons had faced criticism for months after Champion died in a hazing encounter aboard a bus in Orlando during last year’s Florida classic. Medica examiners ruled the incident a homicide.

In June, Eight of the 12 trustees present at a meeting agreed to a no-confidence vote against Ammons.