Board of Governors takes step back in power struggle, Gainesville Sun

By Nathan Crabbe
June 20, 2008

ORLANDO - The Florida Board of Governors decided Thursday to give peace a chance.

It put the brakes on a plan to take power from university trustees, while signaling an interest in settling a lawsuit with the Florida Legislature over tuition.

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Public hears about school cuts, Gainesville Sun

By karen Voyles
June 20, 2008

Alachua County school Superintendent Dan Boyd was blunt Thursday night in his assessment of how school budgets got so thin over the past year.

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Editorial: Freshman cap cuts too deep, Naples News

June 19, 2008

We have grown accustomed to hearing about budget cuts in the public sector. We watch to see which services are going to be eliminated or postponed.

When the affected government entity is Florida Gulf Coast University and student enrollment is on the chopping block, that really gets our attention.

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A new way to fund Florida universities? Orlando Sun-Sentinel

By Scott Travis
June 20, 2008

For years, Florida universities have had one major way to collect more dollars: Get big.

Some say it's a flawed way to pay for higher education, and it has contributed to the state having some of the country's largest and most crowded universities.

But a new proposal could rein in the growth and possibly provide more stable funding for state universities. The Board of Governors, the policymaking body for the state university system, may ask the Legislature to overhaul the way universities get their money. The board discussed the proposal briefly at a meeting Thursday in Orlando.

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Fight over control of universities resumes, St. Petersburg Times

By Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler

ORLANDO — The fight for control of Florida's public universities is far from over.

If Round 1 was this spring, when lawmakers proposed a constitutional amendment stripping power from the colleges' governing board, then Round 2 comes today.

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Florida's public universities trying to get a jump on budgeting, Orlando Sentinel

By Luis Zaragoza
June 19, 2008

An early draft of the proposed 2009-10 budget for Florida's public universities shows them trying to recoup some of the money lost to budget cuts in previous years. But Board of Governors members meeting today at the University of Central Florida in Orlando were told that gloomy state financial forecasts make requests for more money uncertain. State universities lost about $100 million in the current budget year and may lose a similar amount in the new budget year that begins July 1. The draft 2009-10 budget seeks nearly 5 percent more money than the previous year. Among the requests: $18 million to improve campus safety. The board made the same request for 2008-09, but the Legislature did not provide the money. The board will review a more detailed budget when it meets in August.

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War of fiscal attrition, The Ledger (Lakeland)

June 19, 2008

A week ago Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Crist quietly signed a new state budget that cuts spending by $6 billion from the previous year. On the very next day, he announced that he would withhold an additional 4 percent from state agencies in anticipation of budget cuts yet to come. Call it a fiscal double whammy.

Crist did the same thing last year, in preparation for reductions in state revenue collections that were projected because of the failing economy. The projections came true.

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Board of Governors want a say in choosing university presidents, Independent Florida Alligator

By Kristin Huff
June 19, 2008

When the Florida Board of Governors meets today, state university presidents and boards of trustees will pay close attention.

One of the hot topics on the agenda will be a new regulation that would give the Board of Governors, the State University System’s highest governing body, a say in the selection and evaluation of school presidents. Those duties currently belong to each university’s board of trustees.

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Despite tough times, FGCU president gets raise, News-Press (Ft. Myers)

By Dave Breitenstein
June 18, 2008

Mired in budget cutbacks, enrollment restrictions and a partial hiring freeze, FGCU President Wilson Bradshaw left Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting in need of a bigger wallet.

Trustees awarded Bradshaw a 5 percent pay increase, or $15,500, raising his base salary from $310,000 to $325,500. Minutes later, trustees agreed to pay seven-twelfths of Bradshaw’s annual performance bonus for the seven months he’s been in office; that equals $35,000.

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For related articles, see Florida college presidents score high on pay, UF's Machen could become millionaire president, and FIU's rankings lead Maidique to early $50,000 bonus.

Editorial: Florida higher ed starving, The News-Press (Ft. Myers)

June 17, 2008

Even with the most recent round of tuition increases, higher education in Florida remains a bargain by national standards.

But is it a bargain, if it's not top-rate, and if too many eager, eligible would-be students are excluded because there's no room for them?

The state university system ranks at or near the bottom nationally in tuition.

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Wrong reform: College system shake-up threatens quality, Independent Florida Alligator

June 17, 2008

Last week marked the dawn of a new era for Florida’s higher education system. Whether it represents a breakthrough or another example of political expedience, grandstanding and shortsightedness remains an open question.

For the rest of this editorial, click here.

Board's $21 million statewide cuts won't affect UF resources, Machen says, Independent Florida Alligator

By Kristin Huff and Katie Saunders
June 17, 2008

Gov. Charlie Crist reduced funding for statewide agencies by another 4 percent Thursday, but UF President Bernie Machen assured the Board of Trustees on Friday that the cut would not drain any more of UF’s resources.

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State finances: Budget pressures will crimp spending, Kiplinger Letter

By Richard Sammon

June 16, 2008

Many states are about to go into belt-tightening mode, cutting spending and searching for new revenue to deal with a bleak budget outlook that's likely to last two to three years. Half the states are grappling with shortfalls, and most of the remaining states have little room to maneuver financially. The combined shortfall is $16 billion this year, with a projected $32 billion in the next fiscal year, which for states starts July 1.

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UF budget cuts beyond mere dollar signs, North Florida Daily

By Mike Walker
June 16, 2008

There has been much talk recently in Gainesville about the University of Florida's budget cuts and how they will affect the university, students, the city, and the surrounding area. Really, any budget cuts with some of UF's operating divisions such as its Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) will have statewide ramifications as IFAS, while based out of the UF campus in Gainesville, has satellite research and education labs statewide and also contributes greatly to agricultural-oriented education efforts from the K-12 to college level across the state. As IFAS was one of the hardest hit of all major divisions of UF during this spring's round of budget cuts, IFAS stands to be unable to fill some positions, fund research projects, and in general continue its good work all over Florida-not just in Gainesville. In this sense, IFAS is a prime example of how a loss of funding at UF can reach far beyond just the classroom and why people aside from UF students, faculty, staff and Gainesville citizens need to be concerned about the funding situation for the University.

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FSU will help workers face high cost of living, St. Petersburg Times

By Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler
June 16, 2008TALLAHASSEE — The leaders of Florida State University are so worried about the faltering economy's impact on employees that they're pushing forward with plans to help their lowest-earning workers pay for food and gas.

Meanwhile, the ambitious research institution is still investing in superstar professors and at-risk students.

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Whose job is it? Inside Higher Ed

June 16, 2008

Florida lawmakers have spent the last several months slashing university budgets, and now they’re looking to the state’s community colleges for help filling some of the universities’ traditional roles.

A handful of Florida community colleges have been offering accredited bachelor’s degrees for years, but last week Gov. Charlie Crist officially sanctioned a bold and controversial plan that will expand that practice and change the complexion of higher education in the state.

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Florida state-wide budget cuts hit home for some UF professors, WCJB-TV

By Brittany Soeder
June 12, 2008

une 10th 2009 is the final day for some of UF's tenure-track professors. They will empty out their book shelves and for some, start the long process of tenure all over again.

For the rest of this interview, click here.

Money for UF hires draws grumbling, Gainesville Sun

By Nathan Crabbe
June 12, 2008

In the same week that faculty layoff notices were issued, University of Florida trustees are considering a tuition increase that allows as many as 20 new faculty members and advisers to be hired.

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Hikes in tuition, health fees may be part of slimmer FAU budget, Boca Raton News

By Dale M. King
June 15, 2008

A slimmer operating budget for fiscal 2008-2009 will be presented to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees for approval at its June 25 meeting.

The spending package, discussed at a meeting of FAU’s Audit and Finance Committee Wednesday, includes possible hikes in tuition and health fees and may present a year of no pay hikes for staff. FAU spokeswoman Kristine McGrath said the state legislature has approved no money for employee pay hikes.

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Universities need more than good ideas, Tallahassee Democrat

Mary Ann Lindley
June 15, 2008

Ina few years, we may not recognize higher education in Florida. The community colleges are newly authorized to offer four-year degrees, for example, a concept that will make a college education more convenient and less expensive for students.

This may help ease the disappointment for some high-school grads who wanted to go to Florida State but were among the roughly 2,000 turned away for this fall. The university is chock-full because of chronic underfunding by the Legislature.

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Bense takes reins at UWF with optimism, Pensacola News Journal

By Sara Rabb
June 15, 2008

If she is daunted by the financial pressure facing the university she says she loves, Judy Bense isn't showing it.

"I am an optimist," said Bense, who is expected to be approved as interim president at the University of West Florida this week.

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Budget cuts causing brain draing at UF, Gainesville Sun

By Nathan Crabbe
June 15, 2008

A brain drain is already under way at the University of Florida.

As the UF board of trustees last week heard about an effort to retain faculty in the midst of budget cuts, a flood of professors was making plans to leave.

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Machen: UF ready for new state cuts, Gainesville Sun

By Nathan Crabbe
June 14, 2008

A surprise decision by the governor to withhold 4 percent of funding won't cause new cuts at the University of Florida, UF President Bernie Machen said Friday.

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As long as they don't cut football..., Tampa Times

By Howard Troxler
June 12, 2008

There was a little blip in the news the other day about the resignation of the dean of arts and sciences at the University of South Florida.

This news did not exactly set off shock waves across Tampa Bay. Maybe it would have been a bigger deal if Hulk Hogan's family were somehow involved.

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Budget gap forces FIU to cut programs, staff, South Florida Business Journal

June 13, 2008

Florida International University's board of directors has approved staff reductions and the closure of 25 academic programs and centers in order to bridge a $32 million budget gap.

In an e-mail to the university community, FIU President Modesto A. Maidique said the changes would take place over the next three years.

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Cutting back on college admissions, Naples Daily News

By Candace Braun
June 13, 2008

For months, they waited. They checked their mailboxes, e-mail inboxes and their egos, as statewide budget cuts caused Florida’s public universities to stall their admissions notifications to thousands of students, leaving them wondering whether they’d be admitted in the fall.
Now that the 2008 legislative session has ended, the State University System has learned how deep their cuts will be. At Florida Gulf Coast University, this means turning away otherwise qualified students for the first time in the university’s 11-year history. State-mandated enrollment caps forced FGCU to stick to its fall 2007 enrollment, whittling the 2,300 students the university anticipated to 1,850, said FGCU Chief of Staff Susan Evans.

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Fla. Universities hike tuition, cut staff, Florida Times-Union

June 13, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Trustees for Florida's largest universities responded to a statewide budget crunch Friday by raising tuition, cutting staff and limiting enrollment.

University of Florida trustees approved a tuition hike of up to 15 percent for the 52,000 students at the state's largest university. Later Friday, Florida State trustees in Tallahassee adopted a plan to cap enrollment and eliminate 200 jobs.

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Fla. budget expected to result in service cuts, Forbes

By Bill Kaczor
June 11, 2008

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -
An austere $66 billion budget that's expected to result in layoffs, school closures and service reductions became law Wednesday when Gov. Charlie Crist quietly signed it without the ususal public ceremony.

Crist vetoed only three items totaling $251 million from the annual spending plan that'll go into effect July 1. It's about $4 billion less than what the state currently is spending.

For the rest of this article, click here.

For a related article, see Governor Crist Signs $66 Billion Balanced Budget; Vetoes $251.1 Million

USF overhauls colleges to counter budget cuts, Tampa Tribune

By Adam Emerson
June 12, 2008

TAMPA - University of South Florida leaders have swept through their various colleges and reworked the way they will deliver a higher education to meet the grim budget realities they now face.

The biggest changes will hit the College of Arts and Sciences, USF's largest. Although the college gains some institutes that stood alone at the university, it will undergo an administrative overhaul and lose some disciplines to other colleges.

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FSU plans for lost revenue, Tallahassee Democrat

By Stephen D. Price
June 11, 2008

Florida State University will unveil its strategy to grapple with $32 million in lost state revenue at its Board of Trustees meeting Friday.

Officials say they've been working on a budget-slashing plan for some time.

"Recognizing the revenue crisis that was looming in the state, the FSU administration, trustees and Faculty Senate Steering Committee began to look at options a year and a half ago to soften the inevitable financial blow," said FSU president T.K. Wetherell in a statement.

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Local Groups Ask Crist to Veto Budget Turkeys, WMBB TV

By Bree Simon
June 10, 2008

As education programs across the state are forced to cut back, Florida Tax Watch says there are 110 million dollars worth of budget "turkeys" being sent to the Governor for his signature.
Florida TaxWatch says despite what the Legislature has touted as the "tightest budget year ever," the group recommends the Governor vetos the turkey projects.

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Governor Crist signs $66 billion balanced budgtet, WCTV

June 11, 2008

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today signed the $66 billion 2008-09 budget, funding essential state services at meaningful levels, protecting the most vulnerable, keeping citizens and visitors safe, and providing for continued learning gains of Florida’s students. The 2008-09 General Appropriations Act funds the critical needs of the state, without burdening the citizens of Florida with a tax increase in these difficult times.

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FSU cuts enrollment, jobs to cover $43 million budget shortfall, Orlando Sentinel

By Luis Zaragoza
June 10, 2008

Florida State University plans to cut enrollment, eliminate 250 jobs and reduce some student services to cover a $32 million loss in state funding. FSU trustees will consider the cost-cutting measures when they meet Thursday and Friday in Tallahassee. The enrollment cuts work out to 2,000 fewer students this fall than would typicall be enrolled. That's about 1,200 freshmen and 800 transfer students not getting in. FSU President T.K. Wetherell said the university had to close its doors to some students "to ensure the ones already here would receive the education they deserved." The University of Central Florida has been making some spending cuts as well because of declining state revenues, but has not released a summary of losses as FSU did today and the University of Florida and the University of South Florida have done recently.

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4-H clubs brace for big cuts, Palm Beach Post

By Kimberly Miller
June 8, 2008


Florida's 4-H groups won't be spared this year as statewide budget cuts sweep through the university system and individual counties, reducing the reach of the nearly 100-year-old youth program.
A combined $98,000 could be cut from 4-H's Palm Beach County program, as the University of Florida trims its budget by 6 percent and the county asks departments to reduce by 5 percent.

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Community colleges shed names, turn from original mission, Tampa Tribune

June 8, 2008

It's interesting to note that among the nine Florida community colleges which joined a pilot program to create a new state college system in which two-year institutions becomes ones granting four-year degrees, every school had dropped the word "community" from its name.

These are the same colleges created to offer open access to their communities with the promise of university admission to any student who earned a two-year associate's degree, but that is no longer reflected in their identities.

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USF Wait List Reaches Record Length, Tampa Tribune

By Adam Emerson
June 8, 2008

In its most competitive admissions season ever, the University of South Florida placed a record 1,300 prospective freshmen on a wait list for next fall.

Most don't have to wait anymore, however. The university recently denied admission to nearly two-thirds.

For the rest of this article, click here.

For related articles, see FAU becomes a tougher college to get into

Florida Lawmakers Slash $4 Billion, Brandenton Herald

By Richard Dymond
June 3, 2008

MANATEE --

The recently completed legislative session in Tallahassee was a tough one, with lawmakers cutting the state budget $4 billion.

Everything else paled in comparison to the drastic cuts forced by a slowing economy and declining tax revenues.

For the rest of this article, click here.

TaxWatch List Pecks at "Turkeys," Tampa Tribune

By Catherine Dolinski
May 31, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - The Tampa Bay area's transportation authority appeared Friday on Florida TaxWatch's list of "budget turkeys," raising the specter of a possible funding veto for a second straight year.

The $2 million that lawmakers set aside for the transportation authority is just one of the 133 appropriations that TaxWatch is asking the governor to veto this month. The private, nonpartisan watchdog group, funded mostly by businesses, has been releasing lists of "turkeys" since 1983 to highlight appropriations that wound up in the budget without going through the normal legislative process.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

For related stories, see FAMU projects end up on TaxWatch turkey list

and Quiet OK for dramatic trims to state budget

State budget has fair share of pork, Star-Banner

By Joe Follick
June 2, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Lawmakers showed more restraint this year in drawing up the state's $66.2 billion budget but still tucked in more than $110 million in questionable spending projects, according to an annual review by Florida TaxWatch.

Gov. Charlie Crist will consider vetoing some of the items as he signs the coming fiscal year's budget within the next few weeks.

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FAU poised to cut $9.6 million from budget, Boca Raton News

By Dale M. King
June 1, 2008

Following in the footsteps of the state, county and local communities, Florida Atlantic University is poised to slash its fiscal 2008-2009 budget by some $9.6 million to meet reductions imposed by the state.

Members of the Board of Trustees discussed the cutbacks at a meeting Wednesday. A final vote will be taken at a meeting June 25.

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