TALLAHASSEE, Fla.

This is supposed to be a good time for Florida A&M University. In February, trustees announced the selection of a highly regarded administrator, North Carolina Central University Chancellor James Ammons, to steer the often-embattled 119-year-old historically Black university back on course.

Now the school finds itself in the middle of controversy again — this time over financial fumblings that have state lawmakers requesting a criminal probe and threatening to withhold state funds.

The state has also retained outside expertise to help the school get its financial act together.

A recent draft audit for the 2005-2006 fiscal year found numerous problems with FAMU’s finances, including mismanagement of $50 million in expenses and revenue.

“The only things [Ammons] will recognize when he gets here, in many cases, are the buildings,” says Dr. William P. Tucker, the recently retired FAMU physics professor and president of the faculty union. “We’ve got some serious work ahead of us.”

Florida lawmakers on March 19 sought a criminal investigation into the financial mishaps currently plaguing the university; a decision is pending the outcome of FAMU’s response to the audit. During the public discussion of the audit, the school was warned that if its finances aren’t cleaned up in a timely manner, the Legislature would consider denying state funding.

Ammons, who takes the helm at FAMU in July, said he’s confident the problems his alma mater currently faces are not overwhelming for his administration.

“I’ve had a long and successful history as a college administrator and I’ve had to deal with very challenging issues,” said Ammons, who was recently approved by the Florida Board of Governors as the university’s 10th president. “I don’t think any challenge is too big for the administrative team I will put together and me. I’m confident that we can resolve the problems FAMU is having and restore the university to its rightful place in global higher education.”