South Florida’s colleges provide an economic jolt to the region
MiamiHerald.com
Construction has long been a staple industry in South Florida, but the Great Recession and its associated housing crash made building cranes a rare sight in recent years. At the same time, unemployment among all economic sectors has hovered near record highs. But at the University of Miami, Miami-Dade County’s second-largest private employer, the past few years have included both a burst of hiring andsome serious shovel-digging.
State University System
Slain drum major’s kin worried over investigation
Huffington Post
In the three months since a Florida A&M University drum major was beaten to death, his parents have waited as authorities arrested seven people in a pair of other hazing cases tied to the school’s renowned Marching 100…
Three Arrested at FAMU for Firing a Weapon
WCTV
Three men were arrested on FAMU‘s campus this weekend. Friday, the FAMU Police Department brought in Tyrone Bartley, Patrick Bastian and Brandon Grant. Police records show the three were arrested for possessing and firing a gun on campus.
Tibetan monks to spend this week creating a sand painting at FAU
Palm Beach Post
A group of Tibetan monks began a traditional sand painting on Sunday, bent at 90-degree angles over a small wooden table as students, faculty and the public filed through the Florida Atlantic University art gallery to …
Florida State police department makes arrest in on-campus robbery
Tallahassee.com
The Florida State University Police Department located and captured a suspect in an on-campus robbery within five minutes of receiving a distress call, said spokesman Maj. Jim Russell. FSUPD arrested Tyrone Page, 20, on robbery charges earlier this …
With Hitt at helm, UCF has thrived
Orlando Sentinel
His goal was never to be Harvard — or even the University of Florida. He wanted UCF to be a major research university that both educated and served as an economic engine for Central Florida. Nothing symbolizes that more than UCF’s building boom: …
UCF, China discuss possible campus there
Orlando Sentinel
The University of Central Florida and the Chinese government are discussing a partnership overseas — and possibly a UCF campus in the southern province of Hainan. Chinese officials have expressed interest in establishing a program similar to UCF’s …
UF hazing involved paddling, ‘thunderslaps,’ police say
Gainesville Sun
Members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity repeatedly struck and paddled pledges hard enough to cause bruises as part of an initiation into the University of Florida chapter, according to a sworn complaint filed by university police.
High-tech labs moves UF students into ‘creative era’
Gainesville Sun
It’s a University of Florida classroom deliberately lacking a podium for an instructor, where students are encouraged to work on their laptops. The UF College of Design, Construction and Planning’s interactive learning laboratory, known as the co-Lab, includes four tables where students connect their laptops through puck-shaped devices. Their work can be projected on flat-screen displays at the tables or white boards lining the walls.
Thousands at UF would lose Bright Futures under plan
Ocala
Proposed changes to the Bright Futures program would mean thousands of University of Florida students would lose their scholarships. The Florida House passed a measure this month to increase the grade point average required to renew the scholarships. UF has identified more than 3,300 students who would have been able to renew the scholarships under current requirements but not under the changes…
UF President joins Sanford-Burnham board
Orlando Sentinel
University of Florida President Bernie Machen has joined the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute’s Board of Trustees, the institute announced last week. Machen will be the fourth Floridian to serve on the …
UF team unlocks secrets of niacin
Gainesville Sun
A University of Florida team has unlocked the secrets behind a common vitamin’s ability to boost the “good” cholesterol and, as a result, opened the door to possibly finding a formula that avoids its side effects, researchers say.
Students enjoy new building at UNF
WJXT Jacksonville
The University of North Florida has a new $39.4 million Biological Sciences Building complete with a new state of the art necropsy lab. Saturday, Channel 4 got a first hand look at the new building. About 15 students helped a professor perform a …
Senate restores $46 million in funding for USF
The Ledger
House Speaker Dean Cannon on Friday sidestepped the issue of creating Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland. With the backing of Senate Budget Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, the Senate on Thursday voted 35-4 for a bill that will convert the University of South Florida Polytechnic campus into the state’s 12th university. The school will focus on engineering and technology-oriented degrees.
State Sen. Jim Norman: USF’s unlikely hero in Tallahassee
Tampabay.com
Jim Norman sat hunched at his desk, reviewing spreadsheets and crunching numbers, trying to save the University of South Florida from outsized budget cuts. In his office lobby, the phone was ringing. Emails sailed in. “I’m really proud to live in your …
President Genshaft Reassures USF Poly Students in Lakeland
The Ledger
University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft meets with students and faculty at the USF/USFP campus in Lakeland on Friday. By Mary Toothman LAKELAND | USF President Judy Genshaft promised students, faculty and staff members Friday that they …
Senate Backs Early Independence for USF-Polytechnic in Lakeland
Sunshine State News (blog)
The Florida Senate agreed on Thursday, 35-4, to designate $39 million in the next fiscal year to the independence movement of the University of South Florida-Polytechnic in Lakeland.
State College System
Daytona State College to honor female educators
Daytona Beach News-Journal
The Daytona State College Women’s Center and its advisory board are recognizing Carol Eaton, president of Daytona State College; Wendy Libby, president of Stetson University in DeLand; Trudie Kibbe Reed, president of Bethune-Cookman University in …
Ex-Edison State College administrator sues over firing
The News-Press
A former vice president is suing Edison State College in federal court, claiming he was fired in October for exercising freedom of speech and opposing racial discrimination. Steve Atkins, former vice president for academic affairs, filed a lawsuit …
Ex-student still suing Palm Beach State College for refund after finishing course
Palm Beach Post
Palm Beach State College. The issue is this: Is there such a thing as “educational malpractice”? Can a student demand a tuition refund from a college after completing a course? Price says yes. He wants back the $532 he paid for a 2009 computer …
Independent College and University System
Florida Times-Union
After being quietly attached to a larger bill last week, the House has passed language that would create for Jacksonville University a 150-bed nursing home facility the school hasn’t said it wants.
New York Post
There were Hall of Famers, ex-teammates, front office personnel, major leaguers, friends, family and the players he coached at Palm Beach Atlantic University. They all came to a memorial service for Gary Carter last night at Christ Fellowship Church.
New York Times
Carter instead managed the baseball team at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Logan Thomas, a pitcher for the team, said there were three simple rules that Carter imparted upon his players: respect the game, respect each other, and be on time.
Forbes
In remarks at the University of Miami, Obama highlighted two domestic energy sources more than any other—natural gas and algae. After the speech, the Administration announced $30 million in grants to develop natural gas as a vehicle fuel, …
Editorial: Short-sighted approach to excellence
MiamiHerald.com
Legislators need to do more homework before tackling the latest legislative version of a special tuition increase narrowly tailored to apply to the University of Florida and Florida State University.
Our Opinion: College costs
Tallahassee Democrat (blog)
To their credit, Florida State University President Eric Barron and University of Florida President Bernie Machem have lobbied the Board of Governors and legislators to let them lead the path to innovation and a more select education.
My Word: Private vs. public prisons: Where’s savings?
Orlando Sentinel
… facts we should analyze before deciding whether to engage in the largest prison-privatization project in the world. Roberto Hugh Potter is a professor and director of research in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Central Florida.
Editorial: Cuts would cripple higher ed
Palm Beach Post
Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander says the $400 million in cuts to Florida universities in the Senate’s budget plan, including $47 million to Florida Atlantic University, are necessary to close a $1.4 billion shortfall. “We’ve worked hard,” said the Lake Wales Republican. “We debated how to find the savings that we need to live within our means.”
Who pays for college and why?
Tbo.com
If college is part of the American dream, then rapidly rising tuition and fees are part of the great recessionary cloud blocking the door of opportunity… Gregory McColm is an associate professor of mathematics and statistics at the University of South Florida.
Editorial: Polytechnic Control: Florida Political University
The Ledger
The Florida House of Representatives stands between the state’s only polytechnic university, in Lakeland, and regression at the hands of heavy-handed “benefactor” state Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales…
Op-Ed: Sledgehammer Laws Pound Polk
The Ledger
Apply this wisdom to treatment of USF Polytechnic. Act judiciously. Take care. Leave the matter of transforming USF Poly into Florida Polytechnic University to the three-to-five year process outlined by the State University System’s Board of Governors. Don’t try to ram through an instant solution during a two-month legislative session.
Florida’s senators ignore the facts on USF Polytechnic split
Tampabay.com
The fight over Polytechnic’s split from the University of South Florida has raged for so long, it is easy to lose sight of what is actually happening. So forget the rhetoric. Forget the accusations, the name-calling and …
Viewpoint: Contraceptive mandate not a threat to religious freedom
Pensacola News Journal
… our Constitution protects the legal rights of all citizens without regard to their religious preferences or practices. I hope we can keep it that way. Wynn Teasley is a research scholar and faculty service professor at the University of West Florida.
Man charged with animal cruelty after police discover dog locked in car
Orlando Sentinel
After Davie and Florida Atlantic University police officers discovered a dog locked up in a car on campus Thursday night, its owner Anthony Glenn Beck of Ocoee was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals.
West’s millions rank him No. 2 in U.S. House
Sun-Sentinel
“This is going to be one of the few competitive districts, and a lot of outside money does tend to come to the ones that the parties think they can steal or retain,” said Kevin Wagner, a political scientist at Florida Atlantic University.
Funding for beach water testing in jeopardy
Sun-Sentinel
Stephen Leatherman, director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, also known as Dr. Beach, said most South Florida beaches have enough wave action to keep sand clean.
Students Behind SoBe’s Wine & Food Festival
Fox News
“Let me put it this way,” said Chef Chris Lilly, who has participated in 11 SoBe festivals. “As soon as the students from FIU stop helping with this event, I will stop coming to this event.” The festival, which began as a one day event attended by 600 guests is now a four-day food extravaganza featuring 50 events and attracting nearly 60,000 people. Last year’s festival raised $2.2 million in proceeds to benefit the students of FIU’s prestigious Chaplin School of Hospitality, Tourism and Management.
Florida House votes to compensate innocent man for years in prison
The News-Press
Veteran lobbyist Guy Spearman and former House member and Florida State University President Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte worked for free to help move the bill through the Legislature. Dillon, now 52 and living in North Carolina, was freed from prison in …
In quest for conservative Senate, Mike Haridopolos forgets his history
Tampabay.com
The 40-member Senate was designed to be the more deliberative and moderating influence, said Lance deHaven-Smith, political science professor at the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University.
Seniors aren’t getting fall-preventing balance screenings
Sun-Sentinel
Absolutely,” said Debra Stern, a Nova Southeastern University associate professor of physical therapy. Seniors who routinely undergo cholesterol screenings and blood pressure checks often don’t know about balance tests, nor understand the role of …
Economic experts recommend nurturing homegrown business
Tallahassee.com
Jim Murdaugh, president of Tallahassee Community College, said TCC is working with the Chamber of Commerce to provide job training for existing businesses and the EDC to attract new businesses to town. “There are jobs, and there are people who are …
Tobacco Goes from Dark Side Villain to Biofuel Hero
CleanTechnica
Another angle of investigation comes from the University of Central Florida where researcher Henry Daniell is working on a tobacco enzyme to help convert woody biomass to ethanol.
2 local firms make cut in tech contest
Orlando Sentinel
Nano Discovery is the brainchild of Dr. Qun Huo, a nanotechnology expert and associate professor of chemistry at the University of Central Florida. She has designed an advanced cancer-detection system based on nanoscience and “dynamic light scattering.
Consumers pull back as gas prices spike
Orlando Sentinel
“If airline ticket costs start to rise, I do think the theme parks could feel something,” added Sean Snaith, an economist with the University of Central Florida. “Certainly the drive-in segment of their business is going to be impacted.
Florida’s Pro-Business Image Improving ‘Dramatically,’ Scott Tells Mayors Group
Sunshine State News
Also speaking before the group, Sean Snaith, director of economic competitiveness at the University of Central Florida, told the mayors that Florida is starting to rebuild. He advised the mayors to be patient, but also to “grease the skids” by reducing …
Blacks’ voting-rights issues echo 60 years later
Orlando Sentinel
“They literally made the primaries a private affair,” said Vibert White, professor of history at the University of Central Florida. “You had to become a member of that organization, and they didn’t invite African-Americans.
Environmental ‘disaster’ looms for Florida, Browner warns
Gainesville Sun
Florida as we know it — beaches, fresh drinking water, the Everglades — will disappear unless action is taken to curb climate change, national environmental leader Carol Browner said at a dinner Friday night. ”Doing nothing simply spells disaster,” said Browner, a University of Florida law graduate, Miami native and former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. “We have to get started. Further delay will only make it more difficult and more expensive.”
Group of Tampa Bay area natives start Quillit, a new social networking site
Tampabay.com
Bay area natives Shane Mooney and Austin Cooley went to the University of Florida with big dreams, none of which included creating a social network run by a new company bankrolled by …
House made of shipping containers — eyesore or green beauty?
Gainesville Sun
James Sullivan is the Charles R. Perry assistant professor of building construction at the University of Florida. His students have been monitoring the project. He said container buildings have been discussed as solutions for natural disasters, …
Protesters decry move to trim wages
Tbo.com
“A lot of my classmates work in the hospitality industry,” said Dani Leppo, a University of South Florida student who serves as campus coordinator for the AFL-CIO Central Labor Council. “To cut their hourly wage … is totally unacceptable.
JC Penney transforms image
Pensacola News Journal
Johnson’s fledging efforts to reinvent Penney’s will face big challenges, according to Ron Bush, distinguished university professor of marketing at the University of West Florida.
UWF researcher’s filtration system a finalist for award
Pensacola News Journal
University of West Florida researcher Joseph Moss displays his potentially prize winning invention, a “spin concentrator” which quickly and cost-effectively detects waterborne pathogens that harm humans and animals.
Releases and Web Stories
Scripps Florida team awarded nearly $1.5 million to develop potent new HIV inhibitors
PhysOrg.com (press release)
A Scripps Florida team has been awarded nearly $1.5 million by the National Institutes of Health to identify and develop novel potent inhibitors of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS. A. Donny Strosberg, a professor on the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute, is the principal investigator for the new three-year study…Strosberg and his colleagues, who include Susana Valente, PhD, an assistant professor at Scripps Florida, and Massimo Caputi, PhD, an associate professor of biomedical science at the Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, plan to perform an initial screening of some 350,000 compounds in the Molecular Libraries Probe Centers Network at Scripps Research; Scripps Research is one of only four such large probe centers nationwide.
Florida State chemist to receive prestigious award for rising faculty stars
PhysOrg.com (press release)
Michael Shatruk, an assistant professor in Florida State University‘s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry who is working to develop new magnetic materials, has been awarded the prestigious ExxonMobil Solid State Chemistry Faculty Fellowship for 2012 by the American Chemical Society’s Division of Inorganic Chemistry…
The Piano Man takes Lynn University’s stage
Lynn University
On the evening of Thursday, Feb. 23, Billy Joel – commonly referred to as “the piano man” in popular culture – took the stage in Lynn University’s Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center for “An Evening of Questions & Answers … And a Little Music.”
Public Meeting: University of Florida Investment Committee
University of Florida
Any person appealing any decision made by the University with respect to any matter considered at such meeting which affects that person’s individual rights will need a record of the meeting and, for that purpose, such person may need to ensure that a …
UF professor elected president of nation’s largest counseling organization
University of Florida
Cirecie West-Olatunji, an associate professor of counselor education at the University of Florida’s College of Education, has been elected president of the American Counseling Association, the nation’s largest counseling professional organization.
