UPDATED BROADCAST:
The Florida Board of Governors has confirmed Marva Johnson as Florida A&M's 13th president.
I'm Alberto Camargo, your neighborhood reporter at FAMU.
Johnson made her first remarks as president as she prepared to take the reigns, but her candidacy and the process that got us here continue to be questioned loudly by FAMU students, alumni, and even leadership.
The Board of Governors confirmed Johnson Wednesday, at its meeting on the Florida Atlantic University campus.
She then had a chance to talk about the future of FAMU with her at the wheel.
"Under my leadership, I don't expect FAMU to survive. I expect it to thrive."
"Motion carries, congratulations."
While it was a clear win for Johnson- NATS - it was not met without challenges, even up to the final moment.
At one point, the process had to be stopped when crowd members loudly groaned from the back of the room.
"Hold on one moment. We're not going to have that."
Dozens of Rattlers voiced their concerns one final time, including the current students who made the 400-mile trip I told you about Tuesday
"This is not excellence. It is negligence."
"We do not feel heard. Marva Johnson is not ready to lead the nation's number 1 HBCU. Ms. Johnson did not earn this."
"Since the bar is so low, I'd like to consider myself. If you want to appoint me, I'll gladly come out of retirement and try to lead FAMU myself."
"If you guys confirm this candidate right here, it is to reaffirm all of us. To students, faculty, staff, alumni, the 18,000 people that signed a petition online, that our voices do not matter."
Johnson says the criticism of her lack of higher ed experience and political ties has been unavoidable.
But she plans to meet it head on.
"To the Rattler community, students, faculty, alumni, stakeholders: I am listening, and I hear your dreams, and I hear your concerns. And my door will always be open."
A group of FAMU alumni and stakeholders has filed a lawsuit requesting an investigation into the presidential selection process.
Board of Trustees Chair Kristin Harper was one of four trustees who voted against Johnson.
She was asked about the process by the BOG.
"Are you comfortable with the process? And are you and the Board of Trustees comfortable with President-Elect Johnson being selected for this role?"
"The board voted 8 to 4, and so the majority carried. And so, representing the board, the majority carried and that's why President-Elect Johnson is here today. As it relates to the process, that was your other question, I do have concerns about the process."
Johnson is under contract for a five years with a base salary of $650,000.
It includes benefits and potential performance bonuses that mean Johnson could be paid over $750,000 each year.
She will officially take over as university president on August 1.
At FAMU, Alberto Camargo, ABC27.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Board of Governors has approved Marva Johnson as Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's 13th President. Johnson was approved by FAMU's Board of Trustees in May. Her first day will be August 1st.
The board unanimously voted in favor of Johnson.
Earlier this month, on June 6th, trustees voted to approve Johnson's base salary of $650k, in an 8-3 vote. Her contract will be five years, ending in 2030, increasing by 3% each year.
This is a developing story.
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