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FAMU Class Leader Gets Funding Pledge from Jeb Bush

By Benjamin Evans
Black College Wire

The president of the sophomore class at Florida A&M University met with Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, viewed with hostility by some previous student leaders, and won a commitment from the governor to visit the campus and speak to students during a lecture series designed by student officials. Bush also pledged not to cut a popular scholarship program.

Many on FAMU's campus viewed the meeting of Torey Alston, left, with Gov. Jeb Bush as a great accomplishment.

Torey Alston said he requested to meet with Bush to clear up misconceptions about Bush's administration and to discuss FAMU's state funding.

"I told the governor that I wanted to see a good working relationship with our university president and Board of Trustees ensuring that we can receive more financial support in the future," said Alston, 19, a business student from Fort. Lauderdale.

"I asked the governor to assure me that no dollars would be cut from the Bright Futures Program," Alston said, referring to the merit-based scholarship program. that pays 75 percent of tuition and fees to Florida students who maintain a B average in high school and score 970 or better on the SAT. Earlier this year state legislators considered eliminating it, but left it intact.

Bush promised Alston that no dollars would be cut, but he did not guarantee additional dollars for the program.

Leslie Steele, a spokeswoman for Bush, said of the meeting, "The governor would not pass up the opportunity to meet with young professionals. It is imperative to the governor's agenda as the state's leader."

The Sept. 4 conversation was a sharp contrast from the previous relationship between the governor's office and FAMU student leaders.

In 2002, former student government president and current Tallahassee Commissioner Andrew Gillum came out publicly against Bush speaking at spring 2002 commencement ceremonies, despite an invitation extended by the administration.

In 1999, when Bush launched the One Florida initiative, which eliminated affirmative action in many state agencies and led to universities adopting race-neutral admission policies, thousands of FAMU students, led by student leaders, marched to the Capitol in protest.

Bush told Alston that FAMU's budget would not be cut, and that if Alston checked the records, he would find that funds increase yearly. Alston said that FAMU received $159,530,157 for the 2002 - 2003 fiscal year. This fiscal year FAMU received $181,083,350, more than a $21 million increase.

"Torey stressed to the governor how important it was to open up the gateways and make the resources available," Steele said.

Alston said, "The governor was very attentive and I believed that he received my issues very well. He also shared his views on the state of HBCUs and his commitment to FAMU."

The sophomore class president said he believes the governor will follow through on his commitment to visit.

"Hopefully the governor's visit will open up an avenue for him to articulate his message to FAMU students and clarify misconceptions about his administration," he said, adding that many FAMU students view Bush's administration as insensitive to FAMU's needs.

Steele said, "the governor has committed to the invite and we should be seeing him soon." She said FAMU administration and the governor's office are working out a date.

Many view Alton's meeting with Bush as a great accomplishment.

"I am very proud of President Alston's achievement," said Sophomore Vice President Kathryn Berry, 18, a business administration student from Clinton, Md.

Current and former Student Government Association officials said Bush's visit was a good idea, but wanted Bush to speak in a forum setting.

"It's an achievement that Gov. Bush will be addressing the student body," said SGA President Larry O. Rivers, a senior public relations student from Tallahassee. " I also believe that his visit should be in an academic setting, where students are able to interact with him."

Gillum, who objected to Bush speaking at 2002 commencement, said, "I believe that with the new administration and new era of student, that Gov. Bush is able to develop an improved relationship."

Benjamin Evans is a student at Florida A&M University who writes for The Famuan. He can be reached at [email protected].

Posted Sept. 17, 2003