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High Expectations for FAMU�s New President

By Gabrielle Finley and Danielle Lewis
Black College Wire

Fred Gainous

Gainous, former chancellor of the Alabama State College system, is a 1969 FAMU graduate. He succeeds Frederick Humphries and faces high expectations.

Randall Hanna, a member of the board of trustees, said Gainous has an "energetic and excited" spirit. "President Gainous has a strong interest in the well being of the students. Every decision is based on students," Hanna said.

"He's committed to the mission of the university. That focus on students with the combined love for the institution will make him an excellent president."

With Gainous making decisions based on students, faculty members say they don�t want to be left out.

"I expect him to do what we hoped he would do � provide faculty resources," said Bill Tucker, a physics professor and president of Faculty and Professional Workers.

"We get a lot of money for research and it doesn't go to the faculty. Faculty members have overcrowded classes, no supplies, no opportunity to travel."

Tucker said that Florida State University faculty members' salaries are 25 percent higher than those for FAMU faculty during the summer sessions.

"We're expected to teach more than anyone else for less money," he said.

Tucker said he wants "professionalism to return� when the administration deals with faculty members.

"We want to be treated as professionals � not indentured servants. We want to be treated like the faculties at other schools are treated," Tucker said.

In his first major speech on campus, during the President�s Convocation, Gainous said he was committed to seeing students reach their goals, and said he was challenging his staff to become more dedicated to the students.

His vow that paperwork will no longer be lost and that financial aid checks will be delivered on time sent cheers through the crowd.

Gainous said that "the collective intellect and faculty at FAMU is second to none" and that "the unprecedented achievements of FAMU are reliant upon the collective participation of students and faculty."

Gainous told the audience that "the administration understands that FAMU is a dream builder and a dream maker and that they realize that now is the time to demonstrate excellence with caring."

"I really liked what he had to say about the administration having to treat the students with respect," said Jason Davis, 18, a freshman general studies student from Tallahassee.

"Dr. Gainous' promises were good, and if he backs up his word, then he'll be all right,� said Kevin Joseph, a second-year business student from Atlanta.

Gabrielle Finley and Danielle Lewis are students at Florida A&M University who write for The Famuan.