Jimmy Miller
Marcella David
Florida A&M University Interim President Larry Robinson has terminated six staff members this Monday evening, via certified mail. These terminations follow Robinson’s first week as president following former President Elmira Mangum.
The employees terminated are: Provost Marcella David, Vice President of Communications Elise Durham, Chief of Staff Jimmy Miller, Executive Assistant to the President Jackie Hightower and special assistants to the president Dee Gamble and John Lee.
When asked if these types of job terminations how Robinson started his terms in the past, he said, "What was done in the past does not matter. I accepted the job last Thursday. I have taken responsibility and plan to move the university forward.
According to the letter, the six employees were told, “you are hereby notified that your employment with the university will end at the close of business on Monday, September 19, 2016.”
Each employee was told that they were placed on administrative leave with pay for 60 days. No formal reason was given for their employment termination. The letter goes on to say that each employee should return all FAMU equipment or property to Chief Human Resources Officer Joyce Ingram.
The letter was already making its rounds through social media by 6 p.m. Durham, on her Facebook account wrote, “I love FAMU and it has been such a pleasure to serve my alma mater over the past several months.”
“Now, this journey has come to an end,” she added.
The letter states that the six staff members’ last date of employment will be Dec. 16, 2016. Robinson said he wouldn't discuss the job terminations due to legal sensitivities.
“I expected that to come. Everybody has their own staff that they like to work with. I just found out recently that the Provost was also dismissed as well,” said Brandon Johnson, Student Government Association Senate President.
Johnson added that Robinson spoke with the student senate today, Sept. 19.
“Overall his platform was making sure that students were involved and included but not neglected, which was very reassuring to the students,” said Johnson.