There's no official word yet on what kind of impact the hazing scandal at FAMU may have had on student enrollment.
But, as freshmen start moving in on campus this week, preliminary enrollment numbers show almost 3,000 students fewer than last fall.
"Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you, too. What's your name." FAMU Interim President Dr. Larry Robinson says to a student as he carries an armful of boxes into McGuin Hall.
Dr. Robinson came out Thursday to not only greet incoming students, but, to also help college freshmen move into their dorms.
He says, "I just wanted to make sure that I could do what I can to help these students and their parents get situated. I know how excited they are about getting moved in. So, I just wanted to be of some assistance to them."
This week is Welcome Week at FAMU. But, there's not as many students to welcome this semester. Administrators say the preliminary fall enrollment is 10,278. FAMU's website says it was 13,207 last fall.
Administrators hoped the November hazing death of Marching 100 drum major Robert Champion wouldn't cause a drop in student enrollment.
Incoming freshman Amanda Wilson says, "At first your friends were going to go and then say, I'm not going to go. And I said, maybe I'm not going to go."
Wilson says even though a lot of her friends changed their minds about coming to FAMU, she couldn't turn her back on a legacy.
Her mother, Donna Wilson, says, "It feels great to drop my daughter off 30 years after I graduated from Florida A&M University.. We chose FAMU because it is a family school for us and we also chose it for the distinguished School of Business and Industry."
FAMUans say despite past hardships, they'll continue to weather the storm.
"The rain has never stopped a true Rattler." Says Dr. Robinson while unloading student items out of a car.
Students and parents say moving in was tedious and frustrating at times, but, students say they're excited about being a part of the Rattler Family.
Dorm move-in and other welcome activities continue Friday at FAMU and FSU. Classes begin Monday.
Replies
The administration here at PVAMU is MUCH more tighter and SCRUTINIZING of the band program and that has attributed to fewer band members than past times.
:/