Students at Bethune-Cookman University are rallying for the resignation of five trustees after their refusal to permanently appoint interim president William Berry has sparked outrage on campus.
The call for action follows a recent vote by the board of trustees. Four members—Jennifer Adams, Jeffrey Branch, Deveron Gibbons, and Courtney Rhodes—oppose Berry’s appointment as president. One member, Joyours “Pete” Gamble, abstained. This decision contradicts recommendations from two search committees and a student committee that unanimously favored Berry for the role.
Berry, who has served as interim president since July 2023, previously held positions including senior vice president and provost at B-CU. His efforts during his interim tenure resulted in a 24% increase in enrollment, a nearly 9% rise in applications for Fall 2024, and a significant boost in fundraising activity. Furthermore, Berry successfully secured over $1 million in grant funding aimed at renovating facilities crucial to academic support and athletics.
On the heels of the board’s controversial vote, Belvin Perry, Jr., who advocated for Berry’s permanent role, was ousted as board chair. He expressed deep concern about the implications of the trustees’ decision on the university’s reputation and progress. “The students in this new class and other students were extremely satisfied,” Perry said, pointing to the positive momentum under Berry’s leadership. However, he fears that ongoing protests and negative media coverage could deter prospective students from choosing the HBCU.
Protests erupted on Friday as students converged at the trustee meeting, demanding the resignation of the five members who opposed Berry, as well as reinstatement of Perry as chair. In light of the unrest, the board announced new leadership but no trustees resigned following the demonstration.
Perry raised questions about the motives behind the board’s decisions. “In my opinion, in my opinion alone, they have some hidden agenda. And want someone that will do their bidding,” he stated.
Berry’s impressive record makes him a qualified candidate for the presidency. His prior experience includes a decade on faculty at the University of Illinois, as well as roles as an award-winning journalist and editor with prestigious publications like Ebony and Jet.
As the B-CU community grapples with these developments, the board faces increasing pressure to address student concerns and advance the search for a permanent leader.
This article sources information from Central Florida Public Media.
