Question

3. How did the students of Fisk University respond to the actions of the university president?

Answer 1

In one of his first actions as interim president, Frank L. Sims sent a letter to parents telling them that the administrative shake-up would not affect education at the school. Sims repeatedly emphasized that point Tuesday in an exclusive interview with The Tennessean.

Sims, 64, a retired business leader from Atlanta and Fisk board member with close family ties to the university, said that he would spend the next year making small changes that would enable the next permanent president to tackle the “tremendous challenges” that lie ahead, particularly when it comes to the school's finances.

“We’re going to have to be competitive on the education side and on the financial side," Sims said. "We’re doing very well on one of those. We’re not doing too well in the other, and that’s where we have to focus."

Sims said he will spend most of his brief tenure focused on strengthening Fisk’s financial footing and streamlining administrative practices, leaving the academic programs, which he considers to be sturdy, in the hands of the provost and faculty. He plans to meet with key donors and community leaders in the coming weeks while continuing to collaborate with students during regular town hall meetings.