FAMU and FSU Continue Partnership for College of Engineering

FAMU and FSU Continue Partnership for College of Engineering


" A deal has been reached to keep the FAMU - FSU College of Engineering together, after a Board of Governors said, the split would come at a $1 billion price tag.

The deal calls for changing who oversees the joint college and proposes integrating student and academic activities that had previously been handled separately by each school.
 
During the meeting on Thursday, the Chancellor will present a full plan to the board, which includes, creating a 12 member permanent joint college governance council, the creation of a new budget and plans for renovations and repairs to several buildings on campus.
The schools must submit a report to the Board of Governors that documents the completion of the goals by March first of 2016.
The Board of Governors will vote on the deal later this week."



Mangum upbeat about college of engineering, FAMU's mission

"Two days before the Florida Board of Governors is expected to vote on a proposal that would keep the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in place, FAMU President Elmira Mangum endorsed the plan.
In a Q&A session following her luncheon speech before Leadership Tallahassee, Mangum, said, "We want our partnership to grow. Being competitive requires an investment. FSU, just like FAMU, is looking for that investment."
When the Board of Governors meets Thursday at Tallahassee Community College, members are likely to vote on an action plan from Chancellor Marshall Criser that would keep the college as a joint venture, but with some new stipulations.

 

Highlights of the action plan include:
•By April, a 12-member Joint College of Engineering Governance Council will be established, including the presidents of both universities, the provosts, vice presidents for research and chief financial officers of FAMU and FSU. The dean of the joint college and two student representatives will be included as ex-officio non-voting members. The chancellor also will be a voting member and the chancellor can also designate a representative.
The council will meet at least quarterly and receive reports at least semi-annually on the following topics:
•Recruiting, enrollment and graduation by gender and ethnicity
•Adequacy and consistency in academic preparation and achievement
•Budget and expenditures
•Research funding
•Faculty hiring, promotion, tenure.
•The BOG will establish a multi-year-plan for the joint college by June, which also includes building upgrades.
•FAMU and FSU will integrate academic and student affairs activities that have in the past been administered separately.

 

 

The plan also states that a new budget entity for the joint college will be pursued during the upcoming legislative session to include "all operating funds for the joint college."

Earlier this month, Mangum told FAMU trustees the university is seeking $30 million for the college of engineering in this year's legislative request with part of the money going toward bringing FAMU's engineering faculty on par with FSU's faculty and $10 million being targeted for lab upgrades and fellowship programs.

Following the luncheon, she said, "Over the next few months we will get together to come up with figures on money."

Mangum said she didn't view the agreement as a victory for FAMU, but for all students in Florida.

"I think it's a victory for both schools," she said. "We are seeking additional investments in the college. It needs additional resources. We are running it together. I see it as a major opportunity for the state of Florida."

Operation of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering has long been a source of tension. Things escalated last year when then State Sen. John Thrasher suggested dissolving the partnership to enable FSU to establish its own engineering college as a way to securing a top 25 status.

The Board of Governors commissioned a study that showed splitting the two schools would cost about $1 billion. FSU President Thrasher said he and Mangum and BOG were looking at other operational issues, other than money, before considering that $1 billion proposal and expressed a willingness to reach "some middle ground."

 

In prepared remarks Tuesday, Mangum gave an update on efforts to make improvements at FAMU. Several new initiatives are in place to "educate and nurture a diverse population," she said.

She also talked about moving the university forward in addressing climate change and sustainability and "making FAMU an internationally known global research university."

Powell Jones, owner of Secure Records Solutions, said he was impressed by Mangum's delivery.

"We're very fortunate to have Dr. Mangum leading FAMU at this important time in the history of the university," he said.

IF YOU GO

The Florida Board of Governors meets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday in the ballroom of the Student Union at Tallahassee Community College, 444 Appleyard Drive. It is open to the public."