FAMU trustees to discuss presidential search, selection for Robinson replacement

Florida A&M University’s Board of Trustees has scheduled a meeting to discuss a single item on its agenda — a presidential search and selection — following FAMU President Larry Robinson’s Friday announcement that he was stepping down.

The virtual meeting is set to take place 10 a.m. Tuesday via Zoom and is open to the public.

Robinson's decision to step down comes after his nearly seven-year presidential tenure at the HBCU (historically Black college or university), where he has been serving as the 12th president since 2017.

In his resignation letter, he said, “I want to be clear with the Board and the university community that my decision is made simply because I believe the timing is right for me, my family and the FAMU community.”

A date has not been set for when Robinson will leave the presidency, but after stepping down he will start a 12-month sabbatical and then return as a distinguished professor in the School of the Environment.

During the Tuesday board meeting, trustees will collectively discuss next steps regarding the presidency, which will possibly include plans to appoint an interim president in the near future.

Although Board of Trustees chair Kristin Harper told trustees in a Friday email that she would be calling a “special meeting” to discuss next steps as a board, the notice does not specify that the meeting is classified as special.

How to listen in, comment at meeting

• Log on using the Zoom link provided on the FAMU board’s website: www.famu.edu/about-famu/leadership/board-of-trustees/agendas_and_minutes.php.

• Requests to make public comments must be submitted to FAMU Chief of Staff and Board Liaison Linda Barge-Miles at linda.bargemiles@famu.edu by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting and must note the agenda topic that will be addressed, according to the university.

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.