FAMU student president: We don't want Bush (Gov)

Tallahassee Democrat ^ | March 07, 2002 | Bill Cotterell and Melanie Yeager

[sandlady]

Florida A&M University students do not want Gov. Jeb Bush as their commencement speaker, the student body president said Wednesday.

Senior Andrew Gillum spoke at an evening rally marking the second anniversary of a mass march on the Capitol protesting One Florida, the governor's program supplanting affirmative action in state university admissions and government purchasing.

FAMU's administration says it has extended an invitation for Bush to be the keynote speaker at graduation ceremonies next month, but the governor's office said Wednesday it has not received the invitation. FAMU spokesman Eddie Jackson confirmed earlier Wednesday that Bush was invited to give the main address.

"We don't have one Florida but a divided Florida," said Gillum, who is the only one of 13 FAMU trustees not appointed by the governor. "The Florida A&M graduating seniors will not sit through a ceremony adorned by a governor who doesn't believe in our institution."

His remarks drew loud, prolonged applause and shouts of encouragement from the mostly black crowd - which included scores of FAMU students - at St. Mary's Primitive Baptist Church. Gillum said he had told FAMU officials that students don't want Bush, who has also abolished the old Board of Regents and set up separate boards of trustees for each of the 11 institutions of the State University System.

After the rally, Gillum said he did not know whether students would boycott commencement exercises or walk out, if Bush is the speaker.

"Hopefully, we don't want it to get to that point," Gillum said. "It's my commencement, also. That's a very special moment for many of our relatives, so we don't want to see that happen."

Gillum said he hopes Bush will decline the FAMU invitation.

[Bush2000]

Bush, who has also abolished the old Board of Regents and set up separate boards of trustees for each of the 11 institutions of the State University System.

The libs don't like the fact that Bush broke up their old crony system.

[twigs]

I should have phrased it--my husband was honored--and he's a democrat. He never considered our governor's political party. However, I must admit, while I am assuming that others feel the same way, I do not know that for sure. And my husband really does not like that I spend time in Freeperland. If I were to mention his school, even in freepmail, I'd be in trouble. I must honor him as well. It's not always easy!