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FAMU seeking to "rebrand" its image in the wake of hazing, audit problems

Update  1:21 pm:  The Florida A&M University National Alumni Association President, Tommy Mitchell, will address the media regarding the recent newspaper articles implying FAMU problems are so severe that FAMU President, James H. Ammons, should resign or be fired. The rally will focus on the outstanding achievements of FAMU and the recognition the university continues to receive in spite of the media’s focus on the Robert Champion Tragedy.

President Mitchell is urging all loyal alumni, students, retirees and supporters  to join the National Alumni Association at the press conference and “Support Rally”. Participants are also encouraged to attend the FAMU Board of Trustees Meeting from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Al Lawson Center.

Contact: Tommy Mitchell 850-212-1189 or the FAMU Office of Alumni Affairs at 850-599-3707

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The Florida A&M University board of trustees is meeting in the first of a two-day session to discuss the schools responses to ongoing hazing cases and other problems. Among them are a letter sent by the Florida Board of Governors calling on the school to respond to its concerns over fraudulent audits, a sex-abuse case at the FAMU DRS lab school and the accreditation status of several degree programs.

Wednesday, the trustees announced an $800 million rebranding effort to help the school boost recruitment in the wake of the hazing scandal and death of a band drum major. It's also set to hire a communications director.

 

Check back later on for more on this story.

 

 

Follow @HatterLynn

Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University and Florida State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master's in Professional Communication. Lynn has been with WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She has worked with several organizations, including Kaiser Health News.  Lynn has also partnered with USC-Annenberg's Center for Child Wellbeing on the nationally acclaimed series "Committed," which explored the prevalence of involuntary commitment use on children.
She serves on the board of RTDNA and the United Way of the Big Bend, with previous service on the board of the First Amendment Foundation of Florida.

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