TALLAHASSEE Fla. —A series of scandals in the last year, including the hazing death of a drum major, is now threatening to cost Florida A&M University its academic reputation.
FAMU officials were told Tuesday that the regional accrediting organization was placing the school on probation for the next 12 months. The university has one year to prove it is turning itself around or it could have its accreditation revoked by the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges.
If accreditation is revoked, students won’t be eligible for federal financial aid.
Interim President Larry Robinson stressed that the probation does not affect the current accreditation of academic programs, but he didn’t downplay the threat to the university, either.
“It is not a slap on the wrist,” Robinson said. “We’ve got to take it very seriously.”
The announcement represents another blow to the institution, which has already been reeling in the aftermath of Robert Champion’s death following a football game in Orlando. The fallout has already led to the suspension of the famed Marching 100 band, as well as the resignation of its long-time band director and FAMU’s president.
Champion’s death triggered a review by the regional accreditation organization, which sent a letter in June seeking more information. FAMU officials say they responded and handed over 1,000 pages of documents detailing changes they have made.
