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FAMU Becomes Latest to Face Fiscal Crisis

By Shara D. Taylor and Venus B. Taylor
Black College Wire

In the wake of Morris Brown College losing its accreditation and Clark Atlanta University cutting five of its academic programs, another historically black institution has found itself facing an extensive financial investigation.

With money missing, state officials are investigating Florida A&M University in Tallahassee over its bookkeeping.

Florida's chief financial officer, Tom Gallagher, probing the school's books, suspended the pay of the university's president and top administrators until they turned over crucial financial records that were overdue. The pay was reinstated after the paperwork was received Nov. 18.

"It's not something we like doing," he said. "But they need to take it seriously." Approximately $1.8 million was unaccounted for.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state's colleges and universities, plans to launch its own investigation to discover why the irregularities occurred.

The state plans to audit the university's books.

Some alumni are threatening to bring suit against the administration over its handling of university funds.

The university has decided to delay its fund-raising capital campaign.

The incident leaves some wondering whether the school's football program is ready to compete in Division I-A sports.

"All of this has been a tremendous blow to the university," said James Corbin, chairman of FAMU's board of trustees, in the St. Petersburg Times. "I don't think there's any excuse for it. We ought to be able to handle it like every other school."

For some students, such as sophomore Kelven Davis, poor fiscal management meant that financial aid did not clear until November. "I don't know what the problem is. They just got behind," Davis said in the St. Petersburg newspaper.

Some Howard University students have faith that their school will not suffer the same fate. Monique Jones, a junior psychology/pre-med major, sees communication as a major factor in maintaining a healthy relationship between students and administrators.

"It is unfortunate that we hear about the difficulties that administrations at different HBCUs face each year -- not to say that it is not happening at predominantly white schools," she said.

"Administrators should take time to talk to students and explain where the funding is going because it is ultimately the students' money," she said.

Jennell May, a junior majoring in radio, television and film, insists that fraudulent activity could happen at any school.

"Any institution is susceptible to this kind of issue because there are dishonest people out there. Universities should have a solid system of checks and balances so that nothing is in the hands of one group of people," May said.

Steve Uhlfelder, member of the Florida Board of Governors, claimed in the St. Petersburg story that state leaders knew about the situation but never properly approached them for fear of appearing to respond too harshly to a black school.

"I'm not sure we were always tough enough because we were afraid of criticism," Uhlfelder said.

"We walked on eggshells with Florida A&M University," he said. "But I don't think this is excusable at any university. It's just not acceptable. It's beyond comprehension."

Shara D. Taylor and Venus B. Taylor are students at Howard University who write for The Hilltop.

Posted Dec. 6, 2003

Dec. 11 update: FAMU Finds Misplaced $3 Million (Tallahassee Democrat)