TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University announced the Department of Athletics will institute a hiring freeze, effective immediately.
It's a part of a plan to ensure the department has a balanced budget for fiscal year 2019-2020. Athletics' goal is to save $600,000 to $1 million and increase funding by the same amount from allowable sources.
“Moving forward, we are aggressively seeking to increase support from fans, friends and corporate partners and explore other avenues that will help produce a financially stable department,” said Athletics Director Dr. John Eason.
Due to the hiring freeze, athletics will not fill about a dozen positions. However, essential positions, such as the compliance director, mandated by the NCAA, will be filled.
Eason has been working with the University’s Athletics Assessment Team, to identify cost savings and will determine how to address the hiring freeze when the assessment team meets next week.
“We want to give the best experience to our fans, students and student-athletes, and we are encouraged that we are taking steps that will benefit this department and University in the future,” said Eason.
FAMU’s National Alumni Association helped organize the Willenium Tour, named for FAMU Head Football Coach Willie Simmons, during the summer to raise $63,000.
Prominent alumni also hosted intimate fundraisers in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Houston and Dallas.
