FSU - FAMU to split joint College of Engineering?

[parent2noles]

<p>

Another hot topic at Thursday Florida State University Fall Faculty Meeting was the discussion of FSU and Florida A and M’s engineering schools possibly going their separate ways.</p>

<p>President T.K. Wetherell says the FAMU’s Board of Trustees will come to a decision in December as to whether it will continue to run as a joint program with Florida State or if changes will be made.</p>

<p>Wetherell couldn’t confirm what those changes might be, but says it could range anywhere from a few modifications to a complete separation of the two schools.</p>

<p>“They’re looking for a different mixture for their students and we’re looking for a different mixture. Now, I’m not exactly sure where that’s going to go at this point and time, but it’s clear the status quo isn’t working for them or us,” says FSU’s President, T.K. Wetherell.</p>

<p>Wetherell says Florida State would fully support FAMU’s decision if it did decide to pursue a separate school of Engineering and mentioned that Florida State would help lobby money on FAMU’s behalf.

Source: [Big</a> Changes for FSU and FAMU Engineering School?](<a href=“http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/33617549.html]Big”>http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/33617549.html)</p>

<p>Seems the two schools have outgrown the current sharing arrangement.</p>

[parent2noles]

<p>A new article on the subject.</p>

<p>

Officials at Florida A&M and Florida State universities have begun discussions to possibly split the College of Engineering, a move that would dismantle an agreement in place since 1982.
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<p>Florida State officials hope having their own engineering program would improve their chances for an invitation to the exclusive Association of American Universities, officials said.</p>

<p>Florida A&M President James Ammons said “both universities have good reasons why we should have individual colleges of engineering,” but he didn’t give specifics.</p>

<p>The joint school has a history of tensions.</p>

<p>Last year, there were claims of poor financial management at FAMU, which pays the bills for the college. There was talk of stripping FAMU of its financial power and giving it to FSU, but that didn’t happen.</p>

<p>Who decided to begin talks to split the college isn’t clear.</p>

<p>Florida State Provost Larry Abele said the idea came from FAMU. “They raised it,” he said.</p>

<p>President Ammons said, “This came up in a conversation. It’s not just FAMU. It’s FAMU and FSU (that want this).”</p>

<p>Florida State President T.K. Wetherell said he’s waiting for the FAMU board of trustees to discuss the issue and then will work with whoever is involved “to reshape engineering for both institutions.”</p>

<p>“I think it’s critical that they take the lead on that, not us,” Wetherell said.</p>

<p>Ammons said he would not make a recommendation to the FAMU trustees, but only supply them information.</p>

<p>“In the end, the (FAMU board of trustees) will make a decision,” Ammons said.</p>

<p>The FAMU trustees are scheduled to meet Dec. 2.

</p>

<p>For the rest of the article see: [FSU</a>, FAMU mulling a split of the College of Engineering | tallahassee.com | Tallahassee Democrat](<a href=“http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20081113/NEWS01/811130328&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL]FSU”>http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20081113/NEWS01/811130328&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL)</p>

[rodfrommiami]

<p>p2n,</p>

<p>have there been any updates to this issue??</p>

[parent2noles]

<p>Both schools renewed commitment to the joint program, but FSU alumni are still very unhappy with the status quo. The FSU presidential change has likely slowed any movement for the moment.</p>

<p>On the bright side, the E-school was among those that suffered little or no budget reduction.</p>