State University System
University budget cuts divide lawmakers
Orlando Sentinel
With time running out on the 2012 session, Florida House and Senate leaders said Monday that they remained at odds on how deeply to cut Florida’s colleges and universities. The House earlier this month passed a $69.2 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, and the Senate passed a $70.2 billion version last week. Both include more than $1 billion more for public schools, and more corporate tax incentives for Gov. Rick Scott to award. But they take dramatically different approaches to higher education funding: the House included an 8 percent tuition increase with another 7 percent increase optional. The Senate would rather drain $400 million from university reserves.
Mission Green wants FAU to add a green fee to students’ tuition …
University Press
FAU has been experiencing budget cuts for the past four years, and Mission Green (MGSA) might have a way to help. The plan is to add a green fee to students’ tuition by 2013. This fee can be used to make FAU more energy efficient by using more clean and natural sources of energy throughout the university. By adding this fee, FAU will be able to pay for things like adding solar panels to buildings on campus. MGSA is shooting for a fee that will charge students $0.50 per credit hour, but first they need to get the Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors to approve it.
UF’s anti-hazing task force meets
Gainesville Sun
A University of Florida website listing hazing violations by student groups and an online form allowing students to anonymously report hazing are among the ideas being pursued by an anti-hazing task force. The task force met Monday, …
UNF dedicates new education addition
Florida Times-Union (blog)
The University of North Florida will dedicate its new two-story addition to the College of Education and Human Services building at 11 am Friday. The dedication ceremony is in collaboration with the university’s Division of Student Affairs.
UNF students to dance 17 hours in children’s pediatric care fundraiser
Florida Times-Union (blog)
Students at the University of North Florida will hold a dance marathon Friday to raise funds and public awareness for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. More than 300 students plan to spend 17 hours and four minutes on their feet, representing the …
University of South Florida band to perform in London
MyFox Tampa Bay
The University of South Florida’s Herd of Thunder (HOT) marching band has received an international invitation to perform. The HOT band has been invited to march in the 2013 New Year’s Day Parade and Festival in London.
As omens go, Sen. Don Gaetz’s dance with the facts is a bad sign
Tampabay.com
The issue was University of South Florida Polytechnic’s split from the main campus, but that’s not important. Gaetz was arguing in favor of the split, but that’s not relevant either. The issue is the way Gaetz argued. Forcefully. Authoritatively.
USF Polytech case has some asking why Board of Governors exists
WTSP 10 News
The Florida Senate’s vote last week to split USF Polytechnic immediately would have wide-ranging impacts. One of those could jeopardize a multimillion dollar state governing body. The Florida Board of Governors voted last November in favor of an independent Polytech… but only over several years, with a number of benchmarks being met. The Senate vote ignored that, demonstrating a lack of authority for the board…
State College System
Former Edison State College VP files wrongful termination suit against school
Naples Daily News
A former Edison State College vice president is suing the school and its former president, saying his October firing was in retaliation for exercising freedom of speech and opposing racial discrimination. Steve Atkins, former vice …
Greater Miami Chamber honors Miami Dade College president
MiamiHerald.com
Miami Dade College’s president started there as a student and rose through the ranks. He has built the college into a model hailed by US presidents. Eduardo Padron is being honored with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Sand in My Shoes award for …
Student Sues Florida College For Failing to Live Up to Expectations
KnightNews.com
A South Florida college student is suing Palm Beach State College for his money back, after the student says a class he paid for didn’t live up to expectations. According to the Palm Beach Post, Michael Price wants a $532 refund for a 2009 computer …
Benjamin School students to open for Kenny G in benefit concert at Eissey
Palm Beach Daily News
The Benjamin School Upper School and Middle School Performance Ensemble will open for Kenny G, who will perform an exclusive benefit concert Thursday at Palm Beach State College’s Eissey Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens.
Free seminar to teach small businesses how to grow
Sun-Sentinel (blog)
The Small Business Development Center at Palm Beach State College in Boca Raton is hosting it for companies in business for more than three years, with five or more employees and $500000 to $10 million in sales.
St. Johns River State College honors board member Lancaster
Clay Today Online
The St. Johns River State College Board recently thanked a long-time board member who is leaving and welcomed his replacement. Both men are from Clay County. Former Board Chairman Larry Lancaster was honored for his eight years of service to the College during a St. Johns River State College Board meeting.
Murdered instructor leaves a legacy of learning at St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs Campus
ABC Action News
It was a tough day on the Tarpon Springs campus of St. Petersburg College, as students, staff and fellow instructors learned of the death of long-time teacher Maria Osterhoudt, who had already begun cleaning out her office in preparation for her upcoming retirement.
Independent College and University System
WXEL-TV to be sold to CEO-led investors
Sun-Sentinel
Barry University has agreed in principle to sell public station WXEL-TV Channel 42 to a group led by its president and CEO, Bernie Henneberg, the college told The Palm Beach Post late Monday.
Yip Yap: Noted and Quoted FLHE Voices from Around the State
Oppose two-tier tuition plan
Sun-Sentinel
Florida needs to raise its too-low tuition rate, we agree, but the two-tier proposal before state lawmakers is not the way to go about it…
Florida ranks 45th in the nation for tuition costs, Denise Grimsley says
PolitiFact
After the budget committee in the Florida House recommended an 8 percent tuition increase last month, parents, students and politicians alike cried foul because the state university system has raised tuition for the past six years. Even Gov. Rick Scott, who signed a budget last year with a tuition increase with nary a peep, said, “I don’t believe in tuition hikes.” The problem with getting upset about those higher tuition bills, said House budget panel chair Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, is that Floridians aren’t really paying all that much for college as it is because Florida’s tuition rates are already among the lowest in the nation.
One strategy to save money has been to buy store brands rather than name brands.
NBC2 News
“Manufacturers and retailers have trained consumers that private label brands are cheaper than national brands,” said Dr. Diana Haytko, Florida Gulf Coast University Professor of Marketing.
Working With Parliament Key to Haiti’s Prospects, FIU Professor Says
NBC 6 Miami
Florida International University professor Dr. Eduardo Gamarra says there is hope for Haiti – but the key is “getting somebody who can work with Parliament.” Prime Minister Garry Conille stepped down Friday after being at odds with…
Sinaloa Drug Cartel’s New Caribbean Routes Centered in Dominican Republic
The New American
Dr. Eduardo Gamarra, with the Florida International University, an expert on the Caribbean region, observed, “The Dominican Republic is becoming the place where numerous drug trafficking transnational organizations are settling their scores.
For one man, justice; for others, anguish
MiamiHerald.com
Dillon’s unpaid attorney, former Florida State University president Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, was in the Legislature when sovereign immunity was eliminated for a single year in 1969.
Ringling grad wins Oscar for Animated Short Film
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
“When they say your name, it’s like they dropped an anvil on your head,” said Brandon Oldenburg, a Ringling College of Art and Design class of 1995 alumnus …
Risks: Diet Soft Drinks Linked to Heart Disease
New York Times
“The message for diet soft drink drinkers is not to be alarmed,” said the lead author, Hannah Gardener, an epidemiologist at the University of Miami. “What we’ve found is an association, and it might be due to chance or other unmeasured variables.
Mack, LeMieux friends no more
The News-Press
Susan MacManus, a politcal science expert from Tampa who teaches at the University of South Florida, said she’s not surprised about the ruckus. “The reality show mentality has come into politics,” MacManus said. “Pleasantries are out. Demeaning is in.
Releases and Web Stories
Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Extends Through March 5th via …
MarketWatch (press release)
MIAMI BEACH, FL, Feb 27, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — The 11th Annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE may have wrapped up its last event on Sunday, February 26, but the decadent culinary experiences and one-of-a-kind wine tastings are far from over! The Festival’s Online Auction presented by Travel Curator runs through Monday, March 5 and features unique experiences, unparalled travel opportunities, gourmet foods, exquisite wines, and so much more at http://www.sobefest.com/auction .
