The Latest: Florida A&M picks Robinson as interim President

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Latest on the Board of Trustees hearing at Florida A&M University on the future of President Elmira Mangum (all times local):

11:40 a.m.

Larry Robinson will again serve as the interim President at Florida A&M University.

The FAMU board approved Robinson shortly after voting on Thursday to approve an exit agreement between the attorneys for former President Elmira Mangum and the university.

Robinson, who is a distinguished professor at the university’s School of the Environment, was the interim President from July 2012 to April 2014.

Robinson helped FAMU through the immediate fallout after the November 2011 hazing death of Marching 100 band member Robert Champion of Decatur, Georgia.

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11:25 a.m.

The person hired to steer Florida A&M University after the fallout of the November 2011 hazing death of a school marching band member from Georgia is stepping down.

The FAMU board voted 10-1 Thursday to approve an exit agreement negotiated between the attorneys for President Elmira Mangum and the university.

Under the agreement, Mangum will continue to receive her $425,000 annual salary through March 31. At that point, she becomes eligible for a yearlong sabbatical and would have the option to return to the university as a tenured professor.

Following the vote, Mangum agreed with the decision and said that she believes it’s clear there was no way forward.

University trustees earlier this year refused to extend Mangum’s current contract.

Mangum’s two years have been turbulent and marred by power struggles with trustees. The former Cornell University official grappled with the politics of running a public university in Florida and was nearly fired in 2015.

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3:50 a.m.

Florida A&M University President Elmira Mangum is on the verge of getting ousted from her job.

The FAMU board is expected to vote Thursday on whether to ask Mangum to step down as president immediately.

Under a proposal worked out with Mangum’s attorney, she would continue to receive her $425,000 a year salary as president until March 31 of next year. Mangum would then be eligible for a year-long sabbatical and would have the option to return to the university as a tenured professor.

University trustees earlier this year refused to extend Mangum’s current contract.

Mangum’s two years have been turbulent and marred by power struggles with trustees. She was hired initially as a “change agent” who could help FAMU restore its reputation after the November 2011 hazing death of Marching 100 band member Robert Champion.

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