News Summary
Marva Johnson has been selected as the president of Florida A&M University by an 8-4 vote from the Board of Trustees. Her appointment has stirred controversy due to concerns over her qualifications and a proposed salary of $650,000, which is significantly higher than that of the previous president. Critics argue that her political connections may have influenced the decision, leading to protests and opposition from alumni and students. The Board plans to convene to finalize her employment agreement amid growing tensions regarding the university’s leadership and financial stability.
Tallahassee, Florida — Marva Johnson has been selected as the next president of Florida A&M University (FAMU) by the Board of Trustees in a contentious decision that saw an 8-4 vote. Johnson’s selection comes at a time when concerns regarding her qualifications and salary have been brought to the forefront by various groups, including alumni and students.
Currently serving as the Group Vice President at Charter Communications, Johnson previously held the position of chairwoman of the Florida Board of Education. Johnson requested a base salary of $750,000, but after negotiations, the proposed salary was set at $650,000 for a term of five years. Additionally, she has the opportunity to receive annual performance compensation of up to $86,000, subject to an evaluation by the Board, which must be rated as “Exceptional” or “Outstanding.” Her salary is set to increase by 3% annually throughout her contract.
Johnson’s employment package includes benefits such as residence at the FAMU president’s house on campus, a monthly allowance of $1,200 for car expenses, coverage for business and travel costs, and memberships to clubs.
According to the schedule, the FAMU Board of Trustees will convene on June 6 to finalize and consider Johnson’s employment agreement, a meeting that is open to the public. The contract still needs approval from both the FAMU Board of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors, with the latter’s meeting set for June 18.
Despite Johnson’s selection, the process leading to her appointment has been tumultuous. Concerns have been raised regarding the high salary proposed for Johnson, which is nearly $200,000 more than the previous president Larry Robinson’s base salary of $451,711. Furthermore, current interim president Timothy Beard is earning a base salary of $400,000. The FAMU Foundation Board of Directors has delayed a proposed budget amendment for the fiscal year 2025-2026 due to worries about adequately funding Johnson’s compensation.
Several foundation board members expressed their hesitation to support such a high salary, leading to mounting frustrations over the entire presidential search process. Alumni have gone so far as to threaten withholding financial support in response to perceived political influences affecting Johnson’s appointment and the lack of relevant experience she possesses. Protestors and petitions against Johnson’s selection have surfaced, with over 13,000 individuals opposing her nomination before the board’s vote took place.
As tensions rise, critics have also pointed to political connections between Johnson and Governor Ron DeSantis, accusing her appointment of being motivated by political interests rather than the meritocracy traditionally upheld by academic institutions. Johnson addressed these concerns during a public forum, asserting that she does not plan to dismantle FAMU and is not a “Trojan Horse.” Nonetheless, doubts persist among alumni and stakeholders about whether her leadership could ultimately harm FAMU’s longstanding reputation and financial support.
Significant procedural disputes have also marred the Board of Trustees’ operations, particularly regarding the negotiation process for Johnson’s salary, which was unusually handled by trustee Nicole Washington instead of the board chair, as per standard practice. This shift has further fueled skepticism about Johnson’s appointment and its implications for the future direction of FAMU.
In addition, if her contract is ratified, Johnson would be guaranteed faculty employment at the College of Law at a salary equal to the highest-paid faculty member after concluding her presidency. This provision adds another layer of complexity to the discussions surrounding her contract and the ongoing deliberations about the university’s governance and financial stability.
The upcoming meetings will provide critical insights into whether Johnson’s appointment will proceed amid these mounting concerns or if the Board will reconsider the decision in light of the public and alumni opposition.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
FAMU Foundation Delays Budget Amendment for Presidential Salary
Florida State University Baseball Begins Regional Playoffs
FAMU Board to Discuss President’s Compensation Package
FSU University Baseball Team Prepares for ACC Tournament Matchup
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
Community Opposition Grows Against FAMU Presidential Candidate
FAMU National Alumni Association Endorses Donald Palm
FAMU Trustee Earnie Ellison Resigns Amid Controversy
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: FAMU Board to Consider $650,000 Contract for President Marva Johnson
- Inside Higher Ed: Florida A&M Hires DeSantis Ally as President
- Hindustan Times: FAMU President Marva Johnson Salary Details
- Tallahassee.com: FAMU Foundation Board Postpones Budget for Marva Johnson’s Salary
- Wikipedia: Florida A&M University
