Florida A&M president to resign immediately


July 16, 2012 at 9:39a.m.

Florida A&M president to resign immediately

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida A&M University President James Ammons, who has been under fire since the hazing death of a marching band member, is immediately stepping down from his job.

Ammons has reached an agreement with FAMU’s governing board to resign effective today.

Last week, Ammons submitted a resignation letter that stated his resignation would not take effect until Oct. 11. His contract allowed him to give 90 days notice to the FAMU board, but Ammons waived the provision in exchange for getting paid bonuses.

Ammons came under fire in the wake of the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion. Trustees have complained about a lack of oversight of the famed Marching 100 band as well as lax management on other issues at the university.