FAMU Works to Restore Image in Wake of Hazing Scandal
Thursday, June 28, 2012
By: Lynn Hatter

Florida A&M University wants to repair its tarnished image. The school is trying to recover from a series of scandals following the hazing death of a school band drum major and audit issues.

WFSU  |  Florida A&M wants to spend a million dollars to present a more positive image to the public. But at a time of budget cuts and tuition increases at the school, board members like former state lawmaker Marjorie Turnbull, say they want to make sure the money is spent wisely.

 “I think it’s going to take a great deal of convincing to the external public that this amount of money is needed," says Turnbull

"So I think we need to be very careful that we have a clear understanding of what value we’re going to get for this expenditure.”

FAMU’s board approved the million dollar request, but say they want to see improvements in the way the school’s communications team handles media inquiries and public records requests. 

University spokeswoman Sharon Saunders says her staff has been swamped with media requests and has had little time to focus on anything else.