News Summary
The Florida A&M University Foundation’s Board of Directors will convene to discuss the compensation for newly appointed President Marva Johnson. With budgetary issues at stake, the board’s decision is pivotal amidst concerns about salary expectations and funding disparities. Johnson’s requested salary is significantly higher than that of her predecessor, raising debates among stakeholders regarding her experience and the university’s financial decisions. The tension within the FAMU community reflects broader issues of equity in funding for historically Black universities.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Foundation’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on May 30 at 2 p.m. to discuss and vote on the compensation package for President Marva Johnson. This meeting will occur in Frisco, Texas, and online via Zoom as part of the FAMU National Alumni Association’s annual convention, themed “One FAMU: Stronger Together,” running from May 28 to June 1.
The primary agenda for the board’s meeting is to approve the budget line item necessary for funding the new president’s salary. As of May 29, the finance committee has not received a proposed contract for Johnson, who was appointed by the Board of Trustees two weeks earlier. The recommended salary range for Johnson is between $450,000 and $750,000, based on findings from the compensation committee.
In her application for the role, Johnson requested a base salary of $750,000, but she did not disclose her current salary from her position as group vice president at Charter Communications. Comparatively, Santa Ono, the newly named president of the University of Florida, is set to receive a five-year compensation package valued at up to $15 million, placing him among the highest-paid public university presidents nationwide.
The state of Florida contributes $250,000 to the total compensation of university presidents, while universities are responsible for covering the remaining salary amounts. Some members of the FAMU presidential search committee, including board chair Lisa LaBoo, have expressed concerns that the university may not be able to accommodate Johnson’s requested salary which exceeds the $591,000 earned by former President Larry Robinson.
The FAMU Foundation, which had an investment value of $171.9 million as of September, has recently begun contributing to other coaching salaries. This growth has raised questions regarding the university’s financial priorities. The search committee’s process has faced scrutiny from students, alumni, and community members who have criticized the transparency in Johnson’s selection and claims of political influence, particularly due to her connections with Governor Ron DeSantis.
Nicole Washington, a FAMU trustee who supported Johnson’s candidacy, has been appointed to negotiate her contract, diverging from the usual procedural norms. If the compensation package is approved, it may include base pay and additional incentives such as bonuses, retirement contributions, housing, and car allowances.
Many stakeholders within the FAMU community, including students, faculty, and alumni, have expressed dissatisfaction regarding Johnson’s limited experience in higher education and the potential political implications of her appointment. During a recent forum, Johnson sought to address public concerns by affirming her commitment to the university’s integrity.
Critics from the FAMU community, such as alumna Kim Godwin, have pointed out that historically Black universities often experience funding disparities compared to their predominately white counterparts, questioning the appropriateness of such a salary for someone with no prior university presidency experience.
Moreover, the FAMU Board of Trustees is set to formally confirm Johnson’s presidency at a meeting on June 18. Protests have trailed Johnson’s candidacy throughout her interview process, indicating significant opposition within the community regarding her selection.
With deep division evident among FAMU stakeholders regarding the presidential search process, the upcoming board meeting is likely to be pivotal for the university’s leadership transition.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Marva Johnson Selected as New President of FAMU
Marva Johnson Appointed as Florida A&M University President
Florida A&M University Highlights Finalists for President Position
Tallahassee Approves Major Air Service Incentive and Faces Community Challenges
Tallahassee Initiatives Empower Local Youth Through Financial Literacy
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Foundation Board to Meet for Salary Vote
- Miami Herald: FAMU Presidential Salary Discussion
- The Capitolist: FAMU Board Approves Interim President’s Contract
- Hindustan Times: FAMU President Marva Johnson’s Salary Details
- Wikipedia: Florida A&M University
- Google Search: FAMU Marva Johnson salary
