State universities going to region format but UF/FSU want be exempt

Sideshow2313 · August 9, 2011

I was told to communicate to all state universities (except for UF/FSU/FAMU) the need to notify the board of governors regarding FSU/UF wanting exemptions to place programs outside their assigned region.

For those not aware Florida's universities are going to regions concept which requires universities to notify the native university if they want to put a program in that region. Example the UF's Pharm D in St Pete, would never happen again if this concept was in place, bc UF would have to ask USF to put a program in your region and if USF disagrees the BoG would have to sign off before UF could establish program.

Unfortunately those seeking exemptions are the main violators of establishing program without communicating with native universities.

The issue at hand is UF and FSU have statewide missions which they believe trumps the local universities' region mission. USF works directly with community within Central Florida . It is their partnerships with local community which I believe gives the native university the ability to tailor a program which has the most local impact locally. The age of a university has no bearing on the dedication a university has to the community.

Both FSU and UF are really pushing this topic with their alumni so it up to other SUS schools to make sure the rules are same for all universities.

Universities should work together and not attempt to be exempt from communicating with other universities when deciding what programs to add. Regions will happen it is just a matter of if FSU/UF/FAMU is exempt.

Those who wish to write can write to members of the Strategic Planning committee at :

Board of Governors

State University System of Florida

325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1614

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

All BoG need is to have enough support for UF/FSU NOT to be exempt from same rules as other SUS members.

Here is where the regions concept was passed but a committee was forum to see if UF/FSU/FAMU should be exempt.

http://chalkboard.blogs.gainesville.com/2011/06/plan-to-create-state-university-regions-advances/

Here is BoG document to read, basically USF colleges would be in South Central Region (shared with FAU) and Tampa bay region (alone). Another SUS program could not be put in your region without communicating with your President, to see if the program conflicts with USF's strategic master plan for program roll out. In the end regions is to keep schools from putting programs into another region which conflict with native university.

http://www.flbog.org/documents_meetings/0126_0528_4232_507%20SPC%2002biii2_2011_06_01%208_004%20Acad%20Prog%20Coord.pdf

Oldsmobull · August 10, 2011

Board of Governors proposals 8.002 and 8.004 are not intended to limit any of the 11 Florida public universities from offering academic programs on a statewide basis as long they are coordinated to avoid wasteful duplication. The Florida Board of Governors has a constitutional responsibility to oversee the state university system and protect Florida taxpayer interests. If the boards of trustees at any of the 11 universities get out of control with wild plans (including UF and FSU), the Board of Governors has to control them. The BOG gives the universities all the rope they want, but the BOG should pull the ropes tight if the schools try to implement duplicating wasteful academic programs at any location.

Oldsmobull · August 10, 2011

One of the main reasons too behind the BOG getting hot pushing these proposals designed to try to reduce turf wars among the state universities is because the state is very interested in opening a new 12th university. The BOG wants to get its ducks lined up trying to reduce the universities stepping on each others toes so they can place a 12th university. I'd bet the state really wants a new university in heavily populated Broward county between FAU and FIU--I don't think the BOG wants USF Poly in Lakeland turned into a 12th state university. State University System of Florida | Board of Governors : Press Room

The proposals 8.002 and 8.004 I'm sure will be much modified from present form after task force workshop inext week and before Sept. BOG general meeting.