News Summary
A group of Florida A&M University stakeholders, including alumni, has filed a petition contesting Marva Johnson’s selection as president, citing procedural shortcomings. The legal action challenges integrity and due process in the appointment process led by the Board of Trustees. Concerns about political influences and allegations of a flawed decision-making process have emerged, provoking protests from students. Johnson’s confirmation followed an 8-4 vote amidst significant opposition, reflecting worries over the implications of political affiliations at HBCUs.
TALLAHASSEE – A group of Florida A&M University (FAMU) stakeholders, including ten alumni, has filed an emergency petition for temporary mandatory injunctive relief to contest Marva Johnson’s selection as the 13th president of FAMU. The petition alleges procedural shortcomings in the selection process and seeks to investigate the circumstances surrounding her appointment.
The legal action was initiated by Tallahassee lawyers Mutaqee Akbar and Ennis Jacobs against eight members of the FAMU Board of Trustees who voted in favor of Johnson’s appointment. Notably, the petition also names Florida Board of Governors chair Brian Lamb and vice chair Alan Levine as defendants, raising questions about the integrity of the voting process.
Concerns highlighted in the petition indicate possible violations of due process and legal standards applicable to university governance. As per the details shared within the petition, it was filed in Leon County on June 16 but had not been officially recorded by the court clerk as of June 17. The FAMU Board of Governors is set to review Johnson’s confirmation on June 18.
Marva Johnson currently serves as a group vice president at Charter Communications, but her qualifications for the role at FAMU have come under fire, particularly given her political affiliations with Republican governors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis. Stakeholders express apprehension about potential political influences tainting the selection process, suggesting that her close connections may have undermined the integrity of the hiring procedure.
Furthermore, the petition does not call for a halt on Johnson’s confirmation but instead urges for a thorough inquiry into the presidential selection process. Allegations include that Board vice chair Deveron Gibbons, who led the search committee, insisted on adding Johnson to the final list of candidates despite her not being the top choice among committee members.
The petition claims that the decision-making process was flawed and deviated from established rules and protocols related to presidential searches. Additional specifics mention the delays in appointing a search firm and reference a previous inquiry made by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) concerning trustee involvement in faculty hiring practices.
Moreover, the petition raises issues about the level of secrecy maintained during the selection process as well as a legislative decision that allowed FAMU to allocate extra funds for Johnson’s anticipated salary, which is projected to be around $839,400 in her first year. This financial aspect has drawn further scrutiny from both students and alumni.
Criticism of Johnson’s appointment has emerged from various quarters, including student-led protests against her candidacy. Some critics have dubbed her “MAGA Marva,” reflecting her perceived alignment with conservative political ideologies. Opposition to her selection intensified leading up to the Board vote, highlighting significant dissatisfaction among the FAMU community.
Ultimately, Johnson was confirmed following an 8-4 vote by the Board of Trustees, who previously weighed other candidates such as Donald Palm, who garnered support from various stakeholders. Johnson’s selection comes in the wake of the resignation of the university’s previous president, Larry Robinson, amid a donation scandal, which led to Timothy Beard stepping in as interim president.
The Board of Governors’ approval of Johnson is anticipated, given the political leanings of its members. If confirmed, she will become the second woman in FAMU’s history to hold the presidential position, following Elmira Mangum, who served from 2014 to 2016. The broader implications of Johnson’s appointment are viewed as potentially reflective of a trend where politically motivated decisions could interfere with the operations of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Marva Johnson Appointed as New President of Florida A&M University
FAMU Foundation Delays Budget Amendment for Presidential Salary
FAMU Board to Discuss President’s Compensation Package
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
FAMU Alumni Voice Concerns Over Presidential Candidate
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: FAMU Alumni File Lawsuit
- Tallahassee.com: FAMU President Desantis’ Choice
- BET: FAMU Presidential Election in Jeopardy
- WTXL: Lawsuit Filed Over FAMU President Selection Process
- Diverse Education: FAMU’s Presidential Selection Sparks Controversy
- Wikipedia: Florida A&M University
- Google Search: FAMU presidential search
- Google Scholar: FAMU presidential appointment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Historically Black College and University
- Google News: FAMU president lawsuit
