4 Finalists for FAMU J-Dean

Four candidates seeking to become the next dean of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication at Florida A&M University are to be interviewed the week of April 5: James Hawkins, interim dean of the school; Laurence Alexander, journalism professor at the University of Florida; Jabari Simama, executive director of the Office of Community Technology in Atlanta; and Jim Jennings, editorial consultant.

Photo credit: The Famuan Dean Robert Ruggles said last fall that the job's stress and pressure prompted him to retire.

The candidate selected succeeds Robert Ruggles, the founding dean of the school who announced his retirement on Sept. 19, expressing frustrations and concerns about a possible $4.2 million deficit in funding the new building, as well as lack of support from university officials.

On April 1, Chanta M. Haywood, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and the search committee chair, outlined for more than 100 students and faculty their roles in interviewing the candidates.

Students and faculty will be able to submit questions they want asked of the candidates, which will be asked by the search committee. Follow-up questions are to be allowed during each candidate's individual interview.

Photo credit: Florida State University Graduate Dean Chanta M. Haywood told students she wants them in the selection process

"We have been very committed to making sure that we find the best candidate," she said. "We want students to be involved in the process, but responsibly," Haywood said.

Bill Adams of the university's Office Of Equal Opportunity said inquiries about a candidate's race or sex should not be asked.

"We don't want to give the appearance that the reason why a person wasn't selected was because of race or class," Adams said. "We want to make sure these questions do not infringe on their civil rights."

Although the committee has yet to cap the number of questions, Haywood said they wouldn't censor them, either.

"Your voice is important to us," she said.

Originally 14 candidates applied for the dean's position. The list was narrowed to four based on the applicant's reference checks, ability to raise funds, teaching background and understanding of the different disciplines in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication, Haywood said.

University Provost Larry Robinson also plans to interview each candidate.

After the search committee votes, it expects to send three names to the provost. The position remains open until Robinson names the new dean.

LaRae Donnellan, professor at the school and search committee member, said she wants whoever is selected to have a vision for the school.

"I hope we have someone who could help us as faculty in providing the best quality education to our students," she said.

Jacquelynn Hatter, 19, a freshman newspaper student from Atlanta, said, "I hope he will establish stability in the school. Hopefully, we can get our new building finished so we can move into it."

DeAnna Carpenter, a student at Florida A&M University, writes for The Famuan. She can be reached at [email protected].

Posted April 5, 2004