FAMU, public records, patience

Five weeks after we asked, The Gradebook finally got answers to most of the questions we asked FAMU regarding out-of-stock test forms – forms that professors need to give tests to students (which, last we checked, was part of the core teaching-and-learning mission of a university). Before we give you the answers, we think it's important to detail the process it took to get them.

Beginning on Sept. 14, a FAMU professor complained to The Gradebook several times, saying the FAMU test center was out of test forms, and that an official at Pearson – the company that supplies the forms – told the professor it was because FAMU was behind on three bills. We thought it was worth a call.

So on Sept. 27, The Gradebook called a FAMU spokesperson and asked what was going on: Was the test center really out of test forms? Was FAMU behind on its account? If so, how much does FAMU owe, how long have the bills been past due and how many professors and classes have been affected?

Getting no response, The Gradebook asked again on Sept. 27, a Friday, this time in an e-mail. On the following Monday, Oct. 1, a FAMU spokesperson called The Gradebook in the evening and left two messages. The first said she was going to look into the matter and asked for time "to really check and find out what's going on." The second said, according to Provost Barnes, that the Pearson account was up to date and the test forms were scheduled to be delivered the next day. If you want more info, the spokesperson said, just give us a call.

The following morning, Oct. 2, The Gradebook posted an item about the test forms. But since a number of basic questions were still unanswered, The Gradebook called the spokesperson back, left a message and repeated the earlier questions in another e-mail. When no response came, The Gradebook asked in writing for all Pearson bills, invoices, purchase orders and other correspondence this year.

On Oct. 3, we repeated the request in an e-mail to FAMU that outlined a half-dozen outstanding records requests. We also cc'd Pat Gleason, Gov. Charlie Crist's special counsel on open government.

On Oct. 15 – 12 days later - the requested records arrived by fax. But guess what? No info about payments to Pearson. Why? Because we didn't specifically request payments to Pearson (though we did request other correspondence). So, on Oct. 23, we requested that info. And when we didn't hear back by Nov. 5 – 13 days later - we asked again and cc'd Pat Gleason again.
The additional info arrived by fax the next day.
Now for the answers: The records show FAMU owed Pearson a total of $3,348.83, for three bills going back to Nov. 20, 2006.

The kicker: FAMU paid all three bills on Sept. 21 – six days before The Gradebook called.

Couldn't somebody at FAMU have simply explained that?  So we could have all moved on?

For what it's worth, The Gradebook still has a number of outstanding records requests, including one dating to Aug. 24. The request regarding the test forms isn't the first time FAMU officials have not responded in a timely manner. And the Gradebook is the only entity that has aired this issue publicly. (See Gradebook post here.)

- Ron Matus, state education reporter

Comments

"Not only does FAMU not pay its bills on time, but apparently they like to commit federal offenses."

That is a ridiculous stereotype. You are sitting here trying to claim that the people behind the grade changing issue represent all FAMUans. That simply isn't true.

The FAMU administration has gotten the federal authorities involved to bring the responsible parties to justice. That proves that FAMU's current leaders do not want any illegal tampering with academic records.

Not only does FAMU not pay its bills on time, but apparently they like to commit federal offenses.

I think it is time we hold are elected officials accountable for this nonsense. If our legislators can't take care of this situation, it is time to take care of them, with new politicos that will be accountable.

FAMU needs to be put into receivership and the state needs to clean it up.

[JT]

Are you serious? Scantron forms are newsworthy? I am a teacher and adjunct professor and can give a test without scantrons. They are nice, but not a necessity. I grade over 1,000 tests per semester without them. Why must Gradebook make minor issues major ones? Why is their rarely any positive FAMU news on Gradebook? It seems only the negative information is ever shared. Where is the journalistic balance? Why does grade book only involve itself with what is happening at FAMU? Where are blogs on other state universities (not just sports programs) if the true issue is about FAMU being a public university and citizens of Florida have the right to know if a professor has scantrons? Do the citizens of Florida not have the right to know about scantrons at other universities?

FAMU does not pay bills, and now apparently they get paid to change grades.

So much for higher education.

A parent broke the story? FAMU is in constant damage control. What happen to all those millions, and the ticket receipts the janitors threw out?

FAMU is run like a third world country? The state needs to move in now!

FAMU has not been trying to sweep this issue under the rug. The administrators took the right steps to pay the bills and get the records straight.

It is a new day at FAMU? According to the Democrat, FAMU tried to sweep the latest controversey under the rug. FAMU did not acknowledge anything until a parent notified the the Democrat and they reported it! Sounds like business as usual to me.

[SaveFAMU]

Mr. Matus, I find this piece of reporting very disappointing, even for you since I held you in a higher regard.

Just because you did not ask the correct questions (or request the correct info) in the beginning does not make FAMU disingenuous or dishonest. They gave you what you requested.

Now, what many would like for you to do is to start a series on Castell Vaughn Bryant and get to the bottom of what really happened from the day Gainous was fired until Castell was shoved out the door.

Everyday, another hidden secret from Castell's regime surfaces in the midst of cleaning up problems her administration left behind. The Ammons' administration has not held one press conference announcing to the world their findings, nor have they pointed the finger publicly. They are just plowing away trying to move forward, correct the problems, and make a new beginning.

Don't you have some concern with all that occurred on her watch? Stop glossing over what really happened and use the skills you "earned" as an undergrad and a professional.

These types of post are getting old. The same ole folks are commenting and the ones that really are concerned about the future of FAMU have moved on and are providing assistance to get us back on track. However, we really would like a criminal investigation into Castell Vaughn Bryant and her administration's tenure. Can you help with that?

BTW, did you ever get a response from Castell's administration, when you submitted public info requests? Also, how many times did you have to involve your legal team to get a response.

It's a new day and even you have to admit the velocity at which public document requests are responded to has increased from a dam to a good flow.

The state auditors did not find ANY ghost employees at FAMU under Dr. Humphries' watch. Period.

When Humphries hired the individuals he eventually had to turn in to the authorities, they did not have criminal records.

Simply because Humphries asked Cunningham to donate to the school does not make him responsible for the faculty contract. Humphries left in 2001. The contract was not authorized until 2003.

The state auditors did find many ghost employees in the 90s while Dr. Humpy was Prez. But to humor you what if what you say is true, which I do not believe so, would not Humphries judgement be in question for hiring the crooks in the first place? Look at his close friend Cunningham.....You can't win, FAMU has a very questionable past with Humphries at the helm.

The state auditors never found any ghost employees under Humphries' tenure.

Humphries' internal auditors found the people who were committing financial aid fraud and the dean who misappropriated money. Then, he turned them in to the state and federal authorities. Just read the background newspaper articles.

Critics? Well if you say so.....How about the ghost employees, financial aid fraud, a dean committing fraud, etc.?

Last I checked that happened all under Humphries and Ammons watch.

You can't put lipstick on a pig and make it pretty, but FAMU will try anyway.

FAMU critics do not like the truth about the 16 years of clean financial statement audits during the Humprhies-Ammons era.

They also don't like the truth about Humphries and Ammons always receiving unqualified audit opinions, either.

FAMU supporters do not like the truth do they?

The "Glory Years" were all smoke and mirrors. This mess started back with Humphries, and remeber who was his Provost? Mr. Knight on White Horse Ammons!

James Ammons is cleaning up Castell's mess. It takes more than a few months to correct the problems she created over almost 3 years.

He's getting it done and FAMU's accrediting body has taken notice.

From "FAMU president repors 'progress,'" Orlando Sentinel, September 14, 2007

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-bk-famu091407,0,5242905.story

Belle Wheelan, president of the Commission on Colleges for the Southern Association, said, "I have great confidence they're going to clean it all up."

Obviously, Wheelan understands that after the darks days of Castell (who was a favorite of the St. Pete Times despite her incompetence) FAMU has a strong team of administrators.

None of the negative articles from the St. Pete Times can keep FAMU from restoring itself to it heights it accomplished back during the "Glory Years" in the 1990s.

And you wonder why this university is on probation and the law school is about to be shut down.

More of the same at FAMdysfunctionU!