FAMU's Interim President To Leave Post Early

By ADAM EMERSON The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 12, 2007

Florida A&M University Interim President Castell Bryant announced Friday that she is stepping down at the end of May, one month earlier than expected.

In a resignation letter to FAMU Vice Chairman William Jennings, Bryant said she appreciated his "good counsel and encouragement to remain on at the University until the end of June.

"At the same time, I believe we have agreed that under the circumstances, my decision may be what is best for the University," she wrote.

Pamela Bryant, a FAMU spokeswoman, said neither the school nor interim president had any comment on the resignation. She said the board of trustees will meet Monday.

Castell Bryant leaves FAMU as the university continues to encounter criticism over its financial management, an issue Bryant faced when she took over the school almost 30 months ago.

She removed administrators and faculty she said contributed to a culture of financial and leadership mismanagement. But problems resurfaced this year when a state audit found payroll and salary documentation problems.

The state has formed a task force to help Florida's only historically black university. But pressure on Bryant continued to mount.

She was expected to lead FAMU until July 1, the day before incoming President James Ammons officially takes office. Ammons is chancellor at North Carolina Central University and was FAMU's provost.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285 or aemerson@tampatrib.com.