Investigation at FAMU law school

The FAMU Division of Audit and Compliance is investigating something at the College of Law – FAMU officials won't say what – but it may involve an employee in the registrar's office, The Gradebook has learned. According to several law students who emailed The Gradebook, it may also involve allegations of unauthorized grade changes.

The employee is Deborah Swain, a program assistant who students say has essentially been working as the acting registrar for months. FAMU spokewoman Sharon Saunders said via emails that she could not answer questions about Swain, citing two sections of Florida public records law, including one that pertains to "records maintained for the purpose of any investigation of employee misconduct." Saunders also said she could not offer any details about the investigation beyond the fact that it started Jan. 28.

The law school's rumor mill is rampant with details, but we're going to hold off until more can be confirmed. The Gradebook tried to reach Swain by phone and e-mail, but did not get a response.

If the investigation does involve unauthorized grade changes, it is unclear whether it is tied to an ongoing probe by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tallahassee, which began looking into similar issues at FAMU in November.

- Ron Matus, state education reporter 

Comments

[molly]

Feb 2009 famu-col LOWEST in the state and a 7 year "personal worst" in the history of famu-col, 52.3%

[WayaHead]

What is with the distortion of facts? If you understand anything about statistical accuracy you will know that the Times empirical data analysis is faulty.

The Times only cited FAMU’s first-time bar passage rate. The overall passage rate is CONSPICUOUSLY absent.

According to page 26 of FAMU’s March 2008 ABA report (available in a link in yesterday's story) FAMU’s overall bar passage rates have been the following: June 2005, 70.6%; February 2006, 71.4%; July 2006, 70.3%; February 2007, 70.9%; and July 2007, 81.3%.

The 70-81 percent passage rates are much larger than the "little more than half" statistic listed in the Times.

These rates prove that the overwhelming majority of FAMU’s law students are passing the bar.

FAMU law students are warriors - resilient men and women who persevered through tough circumstances.

[schellshock]

Oh stop with the rumors.

FAMU LAW grads find jobs - and they DO JUST FINE.

If you look at placement statistics for 2007 - out of 72 graduates 67 found jobs after graduation and were employed and only 5 were looking at time of the survey report.

[Floridagale]

In 2008 FAMU LAW underwent a total overhaul. They are strongly headed for accreditation and then after that point you probably wouldn't be able to get in. Have you read the news lately?

The new Dean, LeRoy Pernell is extremely competent. Administrators and faculty are developing new programs and initiatives designed to move FAMU College of Law to the next level of greatness.

Have you seen the sharp new FAMU LAW building:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOICTx_wdiY

FAMU announced the hiring of TWELVE law professors who are nationally and internationally recognized for their academic leadership and legal expertise. The appointments are effective for the 2008-09 academic year.

They opened a new International Law Center in August, 2008, a new Cafe in December, 2008, a new Bookstore in January, 2009.

In September, 2008 Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) College of Law was recently ranked seventh for providing clinical opportunities by National Jurist magazine, beating out other schools like Cornell, Harvard, Stanford and Rutgers Universities.

FAMU President James H. Ammons. “The sun is indeed rising as we embark on a new day at FAMU. In taking steps to ensure the College of Law becomes a leader in producing the tops lawyers in the country and is home of top-rate and credible academic programs, this is just a sign of things to come.”

To Essence:

Were you trying to make a point? You're just coming off as ignorant and, well, a little crazy. Find some facts before you annoy us again with your "all caps" thing...

[ESSENCE GLOW]

Regarding the comment made by the writer Jimmy---it is quite clear where you stand. If you really read and analyze your writing, it is people like you who need to go live on an island by yourself.

Your words such as YOU PEOPLE....IS RACIST. FAMU is no different than any of the counterpart schools.

ALL ACCUSATIONS DESERVE A PRECISE INVESTIGATION. BE FAIR. YOU ARE THE REASON WHY BLACK COLLEGES EXIST!

REGARDING LSAT SCORES! WHILE INVESTIGATING FAMU...ONE MIGHT LIKE TO INVESTIGATE THE PEOPLE (LSAC)WHO ARE GRADING THE LSAT EXAMS ...ESPECIALLY THE EXAMS TAKEN BY MINORITIES. THERE'S CORRUPTION EVERYWHERE.

TRUST ME ON THIS ONE! THE LSAT IS A STANDARIZED EXAM, GRADED BY BIAS PEOPLE AND CREATED AS A DIVERSION.

THOSE WHO SCORE HIGH ON THE EXAMS ARE NOT SMARTER THAN THOSE WHO SCORE LOWER. THEY ARE JUST SLICKER!

AFTER ALL, TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT OUR ECONOMY! I BET YOU THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING OUR BANKS, AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRIES AND EVEN OUR COUNTRY...HAVE TAKEN A STANDARIZED EXAM OR 2 FOR THEIR POSITIONS. ARE THEY SMARTER?THEY PROBABLY SCORED HIGH ON THEIR EXAMS, ALSO! TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE RESULTS. JACK A--

[FL Law Student]

I have several rejoinders to add to the numerous comments about FAMU's College of Law:

1. FAMU is far from being dominated by any particular race. My 2008 class has over 45% whites in its constituency. While FAMU is a historically Black law school, it is extremely diverse.

2. While FAMU's median LSAT score of 145 is low when compared to more established law schools, this is almost always the trend for law schools in their infancy. As a school becomes more established, more students desire to attend it, and LSAT scores rise. Look at Miami's FIU or Barry University for examples of this factor. I myself have a BA and an MA from UCF, graduated with a 3.65 GPA, and I was accepted by several law schools throughout the U.S., including FL's "top two" law schools. I'm in my 40s, though, have a family and an established career in Orlando. FAMU was the best fit for me and did not require I sell my house, seek a transfer, etc. If you want to match academic credentials, let's compare yours to mine sometime; I completed my BA in two years and my MA in three semesters, including my master's thesis. There are plenty of outstanding students at FAMU's College of Law. For that matter, how many of those criticizing FAMU's median LSAT scores and GPA have college degrees or have taken the LSAT? The median LSAT score nationwide is 151; that means FAMU law students missed a few more questions than other LSAT test takers, but FAMU's mission is to help minority students obtain a Juris Doctorate degree. Minority students, as one SHOULD know, typically have lower LSAT scores, so those of you mocking FAMU's median LSAT score are missing the point: these are the students the law school was designed to recruit.

3. Yes, FAMU's law school has had some scandals. That being said, FAMU is taking steps to rectify those issues. I can likely find numerous examples of inappropriate and illegal behavior at any institution (or corporate entity).

Instead of shouting at the wind and screaming about the so-called imminent demise of FAMU, why not acknowledge the accomplishments the law school has made and give it a chance to succeed?

Yes, FAMU is having problems, but it is actively addressing those problems by hiring new professors and cleaning house of the "bad apples." I recall these same naysayers saying UCF would never be considered a "real" university and would always be nothing more than a commuter school.

I truly wish those of you posting these inane comments would do some research before spouting this talk-radio nonsense. Try doing some research and delving into the facts...

[Kevin Storm]

I erred, actually the NAPLEX pass rates for first time candidates for FAMU (2007) was 93%, not "80%" as I incorrectly stated, with UF at 99% for the same year. The composite pass rate for FAMU 2003-2007 was 90.4%, with some years in that period in the 80% range (2005 - 88% 2006- 83%).

So to be fair, I misspoke, however, to say their pass rate is 100% is still ridiculous.

Go Gators!

[Kevin Storm]

Wow! Someone has been lied to here. LOL

FAMU has NEVER had a pharmacy board pass rate of 100%, so your either not being truthful or your uninformed and being wishful.

UF pass rates are consistently 99%, with little exception. FAMU has been in the 80% pass rate but for some reason the professors there preach that they're a "Top 10 school" or "one of the best programs in the nation," which is nothing but "cheerleading."

And as far as national rankings, they are typically not even ranked unless your are talking about graduating minorities with advanced degrees or some aspect of aggregate research monies.

[FAMU CLASS 2011]

I agree with the previous comment. I didn't decide to go to FAMU law school beacuse no one else would accept me; I was accepted to multiple law schools in Florida. I decided to go to FAMU because it was the best choice for me. Don't underestimate the class of 2011. FAMU is on the up!

Also, FAMU law is at least 40% white, 15% hispanic, and 45% black. I don't even know why it turned into a racial issue. That just shows the ignorance that still exist.

[parislarue]

The majority of individuals spewing forth hateful comments need to really be ashamed of yourselves. The bickering, divisiveness, and disunity on this board says a lot about how angry and hateful individuals can be. I really have to question the motives of those people who choose to make such cruel comments about FAMU. Not only do you do a disservice to yourself but to your fellow Floridians. It's understandable that some of you have to demean others to compensate for your own shortcomings, but really folks, this is ridiculous. Show some dignity, class, and respect for pete sake. Alot of the comments posted misrepresent the "spirit" of the College of Law. We are dedicated to suceeding. Instead of offering support and encouragement to students, highschoolers and up, some folks prefer to bring others down so that they may feel better about themselves. First, the College of law is not segregated at all. I should know, being that I attend classes there every week. It’s the only public law school in Central Florida and as a result has quite a diverse student body. The students in my class are European, Asian, African American, Caucausian, etc...Some have even said at times it has a white majority. Yes, it is facing challenges that comes along with being a new school. However, we are confident that the bar passage rates will go up. Watch out for the class of 2011-STRAIGHT TALENT. President Ammons is a very impressive man and is making great strides with the progress of FAMU. To you current FAMU students, don't let the negativity stop you, keep rising. The best revenge has always been hard work. One day these same folks will have to call you DOCTOR, JUDGE, ATTORNEY, CEO, PRESIDENT, etc.. FAMU has made a lot of changes as far as leadership goes, and I am confident that some very influential leaders will have come from the hallways of its campuses. It's time for change.
Barack and Roll baby!!!!

Sounds like somebody did not know they were applying to a HBCU. Well there is always other alternatives.

Don't like an HNCU then depart in peace.

I cannot believe the comments some of you are leaving. Changing grades is a very serious problem. How would you like someone who failed multiple exams to be rank higher than a person who passed all of her exams? Ms. Swain deliberately changed grades and she is going to answer for it. Besides, if she was cleared, how come the registrar's office is still locked up and pitch black. The school is seeking prosecution of this offense. She is definitely NOT a victim.

I cannot believe the comments some of you are leaving. Changing grades is a very serious problem. How would you like someone who failed multiple exams to be rank higher than a person who passed all of her exams? Ms. Swain deliberately changed grades and she is going to answer for it. Besides, if she was cleared, how come the registrar's office is still locked up and pitch black. The school is seeking prosecution of this offense. She is definitely NOT a victim.

But there are so many other problems with this school. Ms. Swain should be the least of everyone's concerns, whether you want to believe it or not, she was also a victim of the antics and schemes at the COL.

But there are so many other problems with this school. Ms. Swain should be the least of everyone's concerns, whether you want to believe it or not, she was also a victim of the antics and schemes at the COL.

Swain has been cleared that is NOT a mistake and rightly so. She simply is incapable of engaging in such behavior.

[Jimmy]

These blog comments are in about as much disarray as FAMU's law program.

[In Support of Swain]

Watch the office...

Ms. Swain has NOT been cleared You need to get your facts straight. Changing law school grades is a federal offense.

[In Support of Swain]

It is with great pleasure that I announce that Ms. Swain has been cleared. SO THERE!!! She is a wonderful person that needs to run from FAMU.

UF is succeeded in getting its medical school unaccredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

[Jimmy]

The only thing succeeding at FAMU is their efforts in trying to become unaccredited by the ABA.

The bar passage rate for FAMU is increasing. It reflects a strong will by the students to succeed. The law school is witnessing steady improvement and will continue to do so.

The law school was NEVER on track for success- even before Gainous, Bryant, and Ammons moved into Lee Hall. Questionable faculty and administration has ruined the opportunity to right a horrible wrong. My best to the new dean. This is truly a hard task!

You UF supporters aren't fooling anybody. There's no way you can point fingers at FAMU when UF's money problems are far worst. Get your own financial house in order before you start talking about anyone else.

If you want to talk about federal investigations, then what about the one into UF's overbilling Medicare? That problem cost Florida taxpayers $8.6M to settle.

With those sorts of multimillion dollar problems, no UF defender can point fingers at FAMU for wasting state money.

[Jimmy]

You are horribly mistaken if you think I have anything to do with the University of Florida. I did not go to college there, absolutely think the town is a filth hole, and feel that a lot of their students and the people who wear UF clothes claiming to be part of the "dream" are a bunch of stuck up and pompous a-holes.

I am telling you that this has nothing to do with UF, FSU, UM, UCF, or any other school in this state, but everything to do with FAMU having zero standards when it comes to graduate or undergraduate education. You can not fault the four schools I mentioned above whether you (or I) like them or not.

Stop dodging the point at issue. The point is that FAMU is a terrible school that I would be ashamed to shell out thousands of dollars for each year. They lack credibility when it comes to fielding a law school. There isn't a single faculty member walking around in that school that isn't ashamed to read of this investigation and rightly so. The school will soon have that ABA-accredited title ripped from them and you will see what I mean.

Stop dodging the issue and face the facts.

Maybe some high schoolers should help UF's administration learn how to program myUFL so it can start functioning correctly. FAMU's data system has never had the types of malfunctions and break-downs that my myUFL has.

The state auditors said that myUFL couldn't produce a report on how UF spent over HALF A BILLION in taxpayer dollars.

Get UF's financial house and technology in order! The taxpayers deserve better!

FAMU is a glorified High School. Don't even respond to this girl. The school is a absolute "black" hole, with a hysterically black mission. The school is irrelevant and their law school is pathetic waste of time and resources.

FAMU and its black "thang" attitude is laughable. Don't even get drawn into her rants. She is just slinging mud!

What a typical response from the UF supporters on this blog. They come on here to bash FAMU, but refuse to take responsibility for their own financial problems, which are the worst in the state.

Stop blaming the legislature for accreditation problems at the UF med school. UF has a history of failing to budget properly, which leads to huge deficits every year. With that type of poor financial management, it's no wonder that the med school is having such huge money problems.

UF also has a history of failing to manage federal taxpayer money properly. That was seen in the $8.6M UF had to pay back after overbilling Medicare.

UF's money problems are far worst than FAMU's. UF posters can like to dish out criticism but they still won't take any responsibility for having the worst financial problems of any state public university.

[Jimmy]

Stop talking about UF you anonymous posting idiot. This has nothing to do with any other school in the state of Florida than FAMU. We are talking about garbage academic standards and unethical behavior in their law program. No other school in the state can come close to this one in either.

Who cares. We do not live in a black and white world anymore. If FAMU wants to be relevant it must shed it black "thang" image.

The best and brightest black students don't go to FAMU anymore. If you want to be relevant being diverse is a must.

I question just how qualified those graduates are. We already know that FAMU has one of the worst 6 year graduation rates in the state.

FAMU is failing its students.

No one graduates more blacks with baccalaureate degress than FAMU.

FAMU's money problems are no where near as bad as UF's.

FAMU a zero credibility. They can't even educate their students properly.

Seems like that UF, FSU, UCF, and others are doing a better jobs at educating young black minds.

UF is suffering credibility problems with the federal government as a result of its Medicare overbilling. It had to pay out a $8.6M settlement.

UF's data system, myUFL, couldn't properly report $500M+ in expenditures for federal money.

The med school's accreditation is in danger now and UF wants to point fingers at the state government instead of owning up to its own lack of accountability, poor budgeting, and multi-million financial problems.

UF has the worst money problems in the entire state. It's money problems are bigger than FAMU's entire budget. The taxpayers deserve better!

FAMU just wants to race bait and point fingers. Read A Better HBCU Experience and get the insight to the joke that the law school has become. Google it, it is worth your time!

[Jimmy]

This has nothing to do with UF. They have their own problems. It has everything to do with FAMU's lack of credibility in the legal community.

I guess FAMU will always live in their "black" bliss. I guess what you don't know can't hurt you.

FAMU is so backwards their endowment figure on wikipedia has not been updated in two to three years. While all other institutions submit yearly info, FAMU does not. I wonder why? Because the endowment figure is a lie, just like FAMU.

When all you offer is a black thing you are dying a slow death.

UF's med school is in accreditation trouble. They're trying to blame it on the state. But is anyone surprised after the problems with overbilling taxpayers for Medicare in the teaching hospital? Plus, UF has a reputation for poorly budgeting and running up deficits in its biggest academic programs.

UF cannot simply blame the state for the med school's accreditation issues. It needs to start exercising accountability for taxpayer dollars.

FAMU had one of the fastest growing enrollments in the SUS before Castell Bryant destroyed the recruitment program. It was also beating Harvard in recruiting National Achievement Scholars. James Ammons will take FAMU back to that level of success.

GO RATTLERS!

FAMU will never hold themselves accountable and the free market is punishing them for it. FAMU would accept anyone just to boost enrollment numbers. The majority of students that go to FAMU can't go anywhere else.

UF's poor budgeting practices are costing the taxpayers millions. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences overspent its budget by $4.7M in 2005-2006 and nearly $3M in 2006-2007.

UF needs to start budgeting properly and stop running up multi-million dollar deficits. The taxpayers deserve better than UF's current poor financial performance.

[Jimmy]

To add to this, an even more baffling statistic:

1 out of every 4 people applying with a GPA of 2.00-2.24 and a 135-139 LSAT received admission into this school. You want to know why this school's Bar Passage Rates are so low? This is horrible. That GPA stat is outrageous.

[Jimmy]

I can't believe this has gotten to be a UF vs. FAMU bashing contest. How retarded? This has nothing do with UF and everything to do with FAMU's lack of respectability. I invite you to this link:
http://officialguide.lsac.org/SearchResults/SchoolPage_PDFs/LSAC_LawSchoolDescription/LSAC5832.pdf

Now I will be the first to admit, numbers don't tell the whole story as far as LSAT and GPA go but please look at how low this school goes in their admission's process....
3 people out of 22 applying with a range of 2.25-2.49 GPA (obviously not doing very well in school as a 2.25 is scraping by a 2.0 cut-off to graduate) and an LSAT range of 135-139, which you can practically get by signing up for the test, are absolutely pathetic. Anyone that is going to sit here and defend this sort of practice as "LSAT scores aren't indicative of ability" or anything along those lines is horribly mistaken, to get a 135 on the LSAT you either didn't try or you are a complete idiot. Anyone that has taken the test knows that is very tricky, a long, race of a test, that tests not only reasoning but mental stamina. To score a 135 and have a 2.25 and apply to a law school and get in is unbelievable. This kind of thing is what gives FAMU the reputation of being a laughing stock. Now I know there are some people there that might not of done so well on the LSAT and maybe had a 3.0 or better so they took their shot at law and went, but when you let in people that flat out didn't try on a test (or gave it their best shot and lack the ability to study law- as a 130s score suggests) you are making your institution look like an absolute joke.

Good post, Lion. You've made some helpful points.

Tell us again what brings down the bar score:

"The FAMU Law School is know as a "

"well on the LSAT does not he/she should be barred"

". Since the doors have opened FAMU has ."

"some might even author their own demise "

"Albert Einstein after taking a standardized test in grade school was labeled"

"minds the world has ever know"

"change the countries perception"

"to ever story there is two sides"

"These students a product of independent study "

"will cover all their expenses "

"FAMU is not a liberty "

"all evening student "

FAMU is a failed experiment. It is time the taxpayers stop paying for FAMU to "attempt" things.

Education is not given, it is earned.

The ABA needs to do the right thing and end the Misery.

I think the above poster needs to read A Better HBCU Experience.

[The Lion]

Of Admissions
I have listened to the comments as of late regarding the FAMU Law School and would now like to give some factual basis behind the mission and purpose of the school. The FAMU Law School is know as a great experiment based on one solid principle-"Standardized testing such as the LSAT does not effectively gauge a students ability to succeed in law school or as a lawyer". The mission of FAMU law school is to defeat the assumption that because a student with very strong undergraduate grades does not perform well on the LSAT does not he/she should be barred from admittance from law school. Since the doors have opened FAMU has admitted students from all races, ethnicities and background whom all performed well in undergrad, but not so well on the LSAT. Many of these students will go on to be future prosecutors, defenders, judges, politicians, teachers, or social engineers because of the opportunity they received from FAMU. Many will dedicate their life to serving the people and some might even author their own demise standing up for justice in the Florida community, the United States, or the World. I will remind you that Robert Kennedy was not a traditional law student much like many FAMU students. His standardized testing scores painted him likely to fail miserably as a law student. Yet, while other failed out of his law school he endured to eventually become the United States Attorney General. Albert Einstein after taking a standardized test in grade school was labeled as having a slow learning disability. However, years later he was labeled one of the greatest minds the world has ever know and a Nobel Peace Prize Winner. We must remember that the mission of FAMU is not the same mission of FIU. Therefore, FAMU is not seeking to solely admit candidates based on high LSAT score like their sister school FIU or other Florida Law School are. FAMU is attempting to change the countries perception regarding standardized testing as it relates to future success in a particular field of study. F AMU is attempting to prove that 1 test cannot be used to prove the abilities of a student nor lock them out of a field. With any new experiment there are also hardships which must be overcome. FAMU is overcoming those hardships one step at a time and slowly, but surely the tide is beginning to turn.
Of Bar Scores
We must always remember to ever story there is two sides. When discussing the Florida Bar 2007scores of FAMU law school it is necessary to include in the conversation the evening students whom work full time. 45 of the 75 students whom took the Florida Bar from FAMU law school passed giving FAMU a 60% bar passage rate. With the exception of 2 students in the full-time day program the overwhelming majority of students who failed the bar were evening students. In further examining this trend the evening program students who work full-time have done independent law study while working, balancing a family for the past 4 years and effectively graduated from law school. Having accomplished such a feat the evening program students who graduated decided to forgo the normal bar prep courses most students across the country take 3 months prior to taking the bar examination. These students a product of independent study ordered the books for bar preparation and decided to keep working full-time and study by themselves for three months. While the FAMU daytime students were sitting in bar-prep courses from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. everyday then studying until 1 a.m. in the morning for the bar, the evening students would work their current job from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. then proceed to study for a few hours after work until retiring to bed. Already the evening students placed themselves at a great deficit to pass the bar based on the amount of time they invested in studying in contrast to the daytime students at FAMU. FAMU is now encouraging all evening students to take out what is called a bar loan which will cover all their expenses while they forgo work for three months to focus solely on bar studying . However, FAMU is not a liberty to require all evening student to take the bar courses and forgo work for 3 months. Therefore, there will always be many FAMU evening students who will attempt to approach bar studying in the same manner as they studied in law school thus bringing down the bar scores unless FAMU places a requirement upon evening students that they must participate in the bar preparation course and not work.

If you think FAMU gets the best students then I have a bridge to sell you.

If you think Castell Bryant caused the chaos that is FAMU then I have some ocean front property for you in Utah.

The only thing holding FAMU down is FAMU. Your mission alone will not allow you to move forward. You are stuck in the mid last century.

FAMU's supporters kicked out the interim president who's responsible for the probation and now we've got unqualified audits again.

Even with all the problems she caused, she still couldn't hold down the pharmacy school. The pharmacy school beat UF on the national licensure exam.

FAMU's pharmacy school gets the best students, black and white, and will continue to top UF in its test results.

Go Rattlers!