FAMU President's Fate to be Decided by Board on Monday

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University President James Ammons told reporters -- after meeting with Gov. Rick Scott on Friday -- that he would abide by the board of trustees' decision if he should remain in his post as an investigation into the school continues.

Meanwhile, the death of a member of the school's Marching 100 band that is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was ruled a homicide.

The board is scheduled to meet Monday morning.

Scott had strongly recommended the FAMU board of trustees suspend Ammons pending completion of the results of the investigation into the band, along with reports of financial misconduct.

Prior to being called to the Capitol Friday, Ammons talked to Scott by phone on Thursday.At that time, Ammons was more definite in his tone about remaining in his job.

In a released statement, Ammons on Thursday expressed optimism that the investigation will find his administration has acted appropriately.

Ammons has been criticized for failing to curb hazing among band members and received a public reprimand from the board last week.

The Orange County medical examiner on Friday reported that Robert Champion, the 26-year-old drum major at FAMU whose death sparked the ongoing Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation, died as a result of a soft tissue hemorrhage incurred by blunt-force trauma sustained during a hazing incident.

Champion died hours after the Florida Classic football game in Orlando on Nov. 19.

Hours after Scott called for Ammons to be suspended, FAMU students marched on the governors mansion in Tallahassee.

Scott told reporters Friday he addressed the students, most of whom he said were concerned about Ammons, as well as rumors that the governor intends to merge FAMU with Florida State University. (See video of the interview here.)

Scott said hed never heard such a rumor, nor has anyone talked to him about such a move.

For me the most important thing is we have a university, FAMU, that has a worldwide reputation and right now its going through tough times, Scott said while addressing the media in his office Friday.

Florida Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, called Scotts request for Ammons to step aside a knee-jerk reaction and that the governor should withhold judgment until the ongoing investigation is completed, according to the Florida Courier.

As a state official and as a degree recipient from FAMUs undergraduate and law school programs, I have great concerns over the governors haste to recommend suspending Dr. Ammons while simultaneously admitting he has no knowledge of any wrongdoing, Joyner told the Florida Courier.

Its particularly galling that the governor justifies his action as a way to assure people the university is fully cooperating. This is the same Rick Scott who had no similar compunction to immediately step aside as CEO of HCA when the FBI launched its probe into what became the largest health-care fraud case ever in this countrys history.

Scott said its important for the governor to be involved in the state university.

I think, as governor of the state, this is something that is very important to me. Over time I appoint, along with the board of governors, the board, Scott said. I care about what happens to FAMU; its important to our state, its important to the country, and I want to make sure I let people know what I believe.'Cause I think its the right thing for James Ammons the president, its the right thing for FAMU and the right thing for the state.