FAMU still faces accreditation review over trustee's alleged interference
It's been over a month since Florida A&M University was asked by its accrediting agency about an unnamed Florida A&M University trustee interfering with "faculty employment."
The group's scrutiny of the issue remains ongoing.
While FAMU President-elect Marva Johnson is up for confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors soon, chances of the university's case being closed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) by then are slim.
'The next SACSCOC Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for next week, but this case is not on the agenda, as it's too early in the unsolicited information process,' SACSCOC Vice President Geoffrey Klein said in an email sent to the Tallahassee Democrat June 3. 'It is unlikely that this case will be concluded by the next Board of Governors meeting on June 18th.'
It's still not known whether the inquiry is connected to the university's presidential search that has led to angst from alumni, students and others about political influence in Johnson's selection and a lack of transparency in the process as frustrations run high.
The commission's update comes about a month and a half after it sent an 'Unsolicited Information Request' letter to FAMU interim President Timothy Beard, dated April 24.
More: Accreditation agency requests FAMU report after 'unsolicited information' raises questions
Although Beard told the FAMU Board of Trustees at an April meeting that a report would be sent to the agency by May 19, Klein says he does not have any additional information to provide as the case remains open.
Also, when FAMU trustee Craig Reed asked what the inquiry focused on, Beard reiterated the language in the letter but did not offer any additional insight.
All communications of accreditation-related findings associated with the accrediting agency's member institutions, including FAMU, will be posted on its website following any action by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees, Klein said.
Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida. She can be reached at tjean@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Trustee actions at center of ongoing FAMU accreditation scrutiny
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