An influential group of business leaders urged Gov. Rick Scott on Friday to veto a plan that would accelerate independence for the University of South Florida’s Lakeland campus.
In a letter, the Florida Council of 100 asked Scott to nix the proposal for Florida Polytechnic University, already slated to become the 12th university under a plan laid out by the Board of Governors last year.
The bill in front of Scott (SB 1994), sponsored by Senate Budget Chairman JD Alexander, would alter the board’s blueprint and accelerate the campus becoming a free-standing institution, though Chancellor Frank Brogan and others have argued that it will take longer for the campus to be accredited under the legislation.
The organization also wrote Scott to support a measure that would give the University of Florida and Florida State University more authority to raise tuition by virtually unlimited amounts. Both letters were signed by Steven Halverson, chairman of the council.
In its letter about Florida Polytechnic, the council said that the state can’t afford to start a new university at the same time that utility tax revenues that fund construction are slumping and the state budget for the coming fiscal year includes a one-time, $300 million reduction for the 11 existing schools.
The group also said setting up a 12th university is “the slowest and most expensive way to produce more STEM graduates in the state,” undermining the case for a school that supporters say would focus on the science, technology, engineering and math degrees that will power the future economy.
“You have repeatedly and correctly stated that the decision to invest taxpayer dollars should be based on an objective analysis of the return on investment,” the letter said. “Plainly, the case for Florida Polytechnic University has not been made.”
After meeting with Scott yesterday, Alexander said it would be easier to set up the university than try to get an existing school to focus on STEM and that the amount of money being spent to get the institution up and running is relatively small.
“It sure beats spending another $200-plus million building parking decks,” said Alexander, R-Lake Wales. “I’d rather build classrooms and serve students.”
In a separate letter, the Council of 100 endorsed legislation that would allow UF and FSU to boost tuition rates beyond the limits in state law. Other universities could also do that if they meet 11 of 14 standards set out in the legislation (HB 7129).
The council’s letter argued that UF and FSU lag behind the national average in tuition for similar institutions.
“When 50-60 percent of graduates have no debt, and average debt levels are again below those of the nationally preeminent institutions, it becomes a matter of personal responsibility in addition to access,” the letter says. “Market forces can’t optimally drive improved performance if students don’t have appropriate skin in the game.”
Scott has been hesitant about the tuition bill, in part out of his opposition to increasing the cost of living in the state.
“You want to make sure that families in this state can afford a great education,” he said Thursday. “And you want to make sure it’s a great education.”
By Brandon Larrabee
