BOG approves FAMU-FSU engineering fixes

Dr. Elmira Mangum, President
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

The progressive, 21st century approach "is important to our students and the state of Florida that we proceed with the joint program."  Dr. Elmira Mangum

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida Board of Governors voted unanimously Thursday to keep intact the joint Florida A&M University and Florida State University engineering school, with the caveat that organizational changes be implemented.

A proposal last year to split the schools, which have historically has been unequally funded and pursued differing missions, was met with chagrin from officials and students at both universities.

The BOG indicated last week the school should remain together and made several recommendations including: a 12-member joint council of university officials from FAMU and FSU; a new budget entity that will manage funding for the school as a whole instead of separately as in the past; a multi-year plan to address updating facilities; and integrating academic and student affairs activities traditionally split between the universities.

The council would need to provide semi-annual updates on recruiting, enrollment and graduation by gender and ethnicity, budget and expenditures, research funding and activities and on hiring, promotion, tenure and integration.

After last year's proposal by then state senator John Thrasher, who is now FSU's president, the Legislature directed the BOG, with the help of an outside consulting firm, to look at the issues associated with splitting the school. The report put a $1-billion price tag on the divorce, split equally between the schools.

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