The Chronicle of Higher Education March 19, 2013 Florida A&M U. Suspends Its Search for a New President By Jack Stripling For the second time in as many months, a public university in Florida has called off a presidential search just before its expected conclusion. Florida A&M University will temporarily suspend its search for a president because its governing board has concluded it would be "irresponsible" to name a new president at a time when the university's regional accreditation is at risk, Solomon L. Badger III, chairman of the board, said in a written statement on Friday. In January the University of Florida made a similar announcement,<http://chronicle.com/article/Staying-On-Florida-Chief/136549/> opting to keep J. Bernard Machen on as president rather than name his successor as expected. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges placed Florida A&M on probation<http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/jp/florida-am-placed-on-probation> in December, following the hazing death of a marching-band member. "It would also be eminently unfair to bring in a new president as FAMU's accreditation hangs in the balance," Mr. Badger said. Larry Robinson, the university's interim president and former provost, will continue to lead the institution. Mr. Robinson succeeded James H. Ammons, who resigned amid an uproar<http://chronicle.com/article/Florida-A-M-U-President/132825/> over the hazing death of Robert Champion,<http://chronicle.com/article/After-a-Death-a-Question-Are/130732/> a drum major. Mr. Badger said the board would "resume the search process after the university has addressed these critical issues." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.