SCOTT DENIES HE'S TRYING TO 'INFLUENCE' FAMU

By DAVID ROYSE
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE -- With the possibility that a national accrediting agency could frown on Gov. Rick Scott's suggestion that Florida A&M President James Ammons step aside during a hazing investigation, the governor late Sunday defended his interest in the university's probe. 

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which is the accrediting organization for the Tallahassee school, has a clause in its accrediting criteria that says universities must be free from political influence. The association reportedly warned Scott this week about interfering with the university, though officials in Scott's office told the News Service of Florida late Friday that they had received no such letter.

But on Sunday, after FAMU's Alumni Association President, Tommy Mitchell, held a hastily called news conference to warn about the governor's actions, Scott took the unusual step of sending out a defense of his actions involving the university and its president.

"I merely suggested it would be wise for Dr. Ammons to step aside until these investigations are completed," Scott said in a statement sent to the media. “It is up to the FAMU Board of Trustees and Dr. Ammons to determine how to proceed. I have not and will not try to influence their decision. I simply offered my advice and opinion based on the events and the facts I was made aware of. 

"Like all other Floridians, I will abide by the decisions made by the Board of Trustees and President Ammons tomorrow, and I do not plan to release any further comment before then," Scott said.

Scott met with Ammons on Friday, and has publicly suggested that Ammons take a leave of absence as the university investigates the death last month of a band leader, Robert Champion, 26. Police have said they believe he was hazed, and the Orange County medical examiner has officially ruled the death a homicide. Champion died in Orlando following the annual FAMU-Bethune Cookman football game on Nov. 19.

Ammons told reporters on Friday that he would consider stepping aside as investigations proceed. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the case, and has also widened its investigation to include finances of the band, the famous Marching 100.

Mitchell, in addition to questioning whether the governor might be endangering the university's accreditation, also said there had been hazing at other universities that weren't getting the national media attention the FAMU case has garnered, nor did the governor seem to show any interest in those.

Scott disagreed.

“I have not singled out Florida A&M University as I immediately called on all universities throughout the state to examine their hazing and harassment policies and requested that the state's 11 public university presidents also remind their students, faculty and staff of how detrimental hazing can be," Scott said. 

The FAMU Board of Trustees has a special meeting called for Monday morning to discuss Ammons' position and the governor's suggestion.