Florida A&M University President Retains Support of the Board of Trustees

James Ammons

Last week, Florida Governor Rick Scott called for the board of trustees of Florida A&M University to suspend President James Ammons until an investigation surrounding the death of university band member Robert Champion Jr. is completed. On Monday the board, which previously issued a reprimand to Ammons, decided not to suspend the university’s president but to meet weekly to discuss developments in the case.

The Orange County sheriff’s department has ruled Champion’s death a homicide. According to the autopsy report, Champion died from heart failure and hemorrhagic shock due to internal bleeding within an hour of being the victim of a hazing incident. The report said that Champion suffered “multiple blunt trauma blows to his body.”

President Ammons had earlier fired band leader Julian White and expelled four students but those actions were rescinded pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

Last week, three FAMU band members were arrested in the case of another band member who claimed she was the victim of a hazing-related beating a few weeks before Champion’s death. She has since left the university.

 

Related Articles

1 COMMENT

  1. As a proud alumnus of Florida A&M, I am most pleased with the Board of Trustees’ confidence in President Ammons’ ability to lead the University. Ammons is the saving grace of FAMU. Surely, his tenure first started with a 90 day plan to retain the University’s accreditation and continuously building the academic integrity of the Institution. After looking at his track record and commitment levels, Ammons has yet to let the Rattler family down.

    Thank you FAMU BOT and Pres. Ammons,

    Education Prof.
    FAMU C/O 2005

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

California State University Sacramento Launches Black Honors College

Officially launching for the fall 2024 semester, the Black Honors College will support students from all backgrounds who study Black history, life, and culture by providing them with a specialized curriculum and mentoring opportunities.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

In Memoriam: Norman B. Anderson, 1955-2024

Dr. Anderson was the assistant vice president for research and academic affairs at Florida State University at the time of his death. He had an extensive career in clinical psychology, which led him to become the first African American chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association.

Georgia State University Launches Program to Support Black Women in Tech

While Black women account for roughly 29 percent of the Georgia State University undergradaute student body, they represent only 10 percent of the university's computer science majors and 18 percent of the computer information systems majors.

Featured Jobs