Week 4 (March 25-29, 2013) of the 2013 Legislative Regular Session in Florida begins today:
Lawmakers take a break this week for the religious holidays, Passover at the beginning of the week and Good Friday at the end – with work scheduled at the Capitol only on Wednesday and Thursday.
Today..
The Higher Education Coordinating Council meets 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today. Among the issues to be discussed are proposed legislative changes to the composition of the HECC and progress reports from the Commission on Access and Attainment, and the transition of the Florida Virtual Campus. The meeting will be held at the Florida Virtual Campus, 1753 W. Paul Dirac Drive, Tallahassee. Contact Diane McCain at diane.mccain@flbog.edu for more information.
Also…
March 27-28: Florida Board of Governors will meet at FAMU
Noteworthy Recent National Higher Ed Report
Recent Deep State Higher Education Cuts May Harm Students and the Economy for Years to Come (Report) (Related story)
Center for Budget and Policy Priorities
This report outlines recent trends in state investment in public higher education and consequences associated with continual disinvestment in public colleges and universities, such as higher student tuition levels. The report calls on states to reinvest in public higher education, including through raising additional tax revenue.
State University System
FAMU set to cut ribbon on newly renovated Gore Education Complex
Blog: Rattler Nation
FAMU has scheduled the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Gore Education Center for Wednesday, April 10 at 11:30 a.m. Back in 2007, Sen. Alfred “Al” Lawson steered $8,301,606 into FAMU’s budget to help remodel the Gore Education Complex. That was followed by another $5,600,000 in 2008. Both appropriations came from Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) dollars.
Students Claim FAU President Saunders Hit Student Protester With Car
New Times
At noon, students involved with Stop Owlcatraz– the movement to halt Florida Atlantic University‘s naming of its stadium after private prison operator GEO Group — contacted New Times to report that student leader Britni Hiatt had been struck, though only slightly injured, by FAU President Mary Jane Saunders’ 2011 Lexus GS as Saunders was leaving a meeting today…
FAU apologizes for ‘Stomp Jesus’ lesson, vows never again
BizPac Review
Public outrage over the controversial “Stomp Jesus” classroom assignment has forced Florida Atlantic University to issue an apology.
Student: FAU professor suspended me for not ‘stomping on Jesus’
Miami Herald
For the second time this year, Florida Atlantic University is making the news for the strange behavior of a professor. A junior at the university’s Davie campus says his professor threw him out of a course for refusing to “stomp on Jesus.”
Florida University Apologizes for Jesus Stomping Lesson
Newsmax.com
Florida Atlantic University has posted an apology on the front page of its website for a recent class that had students write the name “Jesus” on a piece of paper and then stomp on it.
Student complains that FAU instructor, a Democratic official, asked class to stomp on ‘Jesus
Palm Beach Post
A Florida Atlantic University student says he’s been told not to return to his intercultural communications class after he complained that the instructor, who’s also a Palm Beach County Democratic Party official, asked students to write “Jesus” on a piece of paper and stomp on it…
National Weather Service forecast begins at FSU’s Love Building
Tallahassee Democrat
Your weather forecast hangs by a thread. Or, more accurately, twine. That twine attaches a bundle of sensors to a helium-filled balloon 5 feet across, launched twice a day from the Florida State University Love Building as it ascends more than 100,000 feet into the stratosphere, taking measurements and transmitting readings…
New College to offer collaborative summer school program
Bradenton Herald
In one of his first innovative moves, New College of Florida‘s new president is opening the state liberal arts honors college this summer to every in-state college student coming home to the area or sticking around for classes. Donal O’Shea, who took the helm at New College in February, wants to do something to make the school on the county line accessible to everyone by opening the campus to students at every state school, from State College of Florida to Florida State University, as well as to students at area schools such as the Ringling College of Art and Design and Eckerd College.
UCF attack plotter could’ve been evicted in September
WESH
The University of Central Florida said it is looking into possible errors that allowed a would-be gunman to stay on campus far longer than he should have.
New UF students will be required to have health insurance
Gainesville Sun
Students at the University of Florida will have to find health insurance or find another school, starting with the incoming students in fall 2014. UF‘s board of trustees voted unanimously during a Tuesday meeting to require proof of health insurance as a condition for enrollment…
For UF students, 9/11 memories linger, but war is just a fact of life
Gainesville Sun
Now an 18-year-old student at the University of Florida, Seery is part of a generation who have come of age without ever knowing peace. To them, the country has always had a massive military presence in the Middle East…This past week was the 10th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. But no one on the UF campus protested the war. No one, in fact, seemed particularly interested. The fallout from the war in Iraq has become background noise. The anniversary passed as smoothly and unremarkably as a sunset.
With new leader in place, USF St. Petersburg ponders its future
Tampabay.com
…Although founded in 1965, USF St. Petersburg is in many respects even younger. The school didn’t enroll freshmen and sophomores until decades later, wasn’t separately accredited until 2006, and didn’t have students living on campus until the first…
March Madness Spotlight: FGCU Basketball !!!
Three teams from Florida will compete in the NCAA’s Sweet Sixteen but there is no doubt who the talk of the nation is…
Lowly Florida Gulf Coast shocks powerhouse Georgetown in tourney
CNN
Florida Gulf Coast University was established as a college only in 1991, on a tract of land halfway between the snowbird cities of Naples and Fort Myers in southwestern Florida…
Hey, Did You Hear About Florida Gulf Coast University?
Forbes
The sports world is dizzy with excitement over one of the biggest upsets in NCAA tournament history: fifteenth-seeded Florida Gulf Coast University beat mighty (and second-seeded) Georgetown in the first round of the NCAA tournament…
At Florida Gulf Coast, Party Extends Beyond the Beach
New York Times (blog)
The No.15 seed Florida Gulf Coast University upended second-seeded Georgetown, 78-68, for its first N.C.A.A. tournament win. Florida Gulf Coast is now the only undefeated men’s basketball team in N.C.A.A. tournament history.
Ten Things You Might Not Know About Florida Gulf Coast University
SI.com
Florida Gulf Coast stunned Georgetown on Friday in the NCAA tournament, becoming just the seventh No. 15 seed to defeat a No. 2 since the field expanded in 1985. Here are 10 things you might not know about the Fort Myers, Fla., school.
What It’s Like to Go to Florida Gulf Coast University
The Atlantic Wire
Last night, No. 15 seed Florida Gulf Coast University shocked the world by upsetting No. 2 seed Georgetown, a monumental moment for a small school no one had really heard of before last night.
There’s a Florida Gulf Coast University ’Dunk City’ rap now
Washington Post (blog)
There’s a Florida Gulf Coast University ’Dunk City’ rap now.
Florida Gulf Coast turns ‘dream’ into NCAA history
Yahoo! Sports
Eleven years ago, the Florida Gulf Coast University athletic department consisted of trailers in a swamp. The school hired a basketball coach, but there was no arena. There was campus life, but a lot of it was wildlife: bears, panthers, …
State College System
Daytona State plans major Flagler expansion
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Daytona State College officials have released renderings of a new two-story building that is expected to relieve crowded classrooms and allow students to take more courses at the Flagler/Palm Coast campus.
Patriots win junior college national basketball title
Ocala
The College of Central Florida players erupt off the bench as they are announced as the national champions after defeating Northwest Florida State 74-69 in the title game of the National Junior College Athletic Association basketball tournament …
NWF State to offer new bachelor’s degree
The Northwest Florida Daily News
Northwest Florida State College will begin its sixth bachelor’s degree program this fall. The college was notified recently that the Florida Department of Education had approved its application to offer a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.
Report: Polk State College Has $482 Mil. Economic Impact in Local Economy
The Ledger
Polk State College has an annual impact of nearly half a billion dollars on the local economy, according to a study released Monday. That figure came out of an analysis commissioned by the Florida College System’s Council of Presidents…
Hours cut to dodge costs
Albany Times Union
At least four other public colleges say they plan to reduce hours for adjunct teachers, including Florida’s Palm Beach State College, …
Benches clear at SCF-Hillsborough Community College game
Bradenton Herald
Benches cleared Friday night at the Suncoast Conference baseball game between State College of Florida and Hillsborough Community College, resulting in five ejections…
Tallahassee Community College Database Breached
WFSU
Officials at Tallahassee Community College say the school’s computerized database fell into criminal hands two years ago. Federal investigators have known about the security breach but are just now informing the college.
Independent Colleges and Universities
Passion Pit to Play Lynn University
Boca Raton (blog)
The boys are back in town…and for a very special occasion. On Saturday, March 23, Passion Pit will perform an intimate show in Boca Raton in celebration of Lynn University’s 50th anniversary. The Boston synth-pop band is no stranger to South Florida. The talented quintet has commanded attention on the stages of Ultra Music Festival, the Jackie Gleason Fillmore Miami Beach, SunFest and, most recently, the ArtsPark Amphitheatre in Hollywood…
Saint Leo’s aquarium to make TV debut
Tbo.com
The TV show “Tanked” chose Saint Leo University for one of its shows after the university sent in a request.
Yip Yap: Noted and Quoted FLHE Voices from Around the State
Editorial: Flagler and feminism
Flagler College Gargoyle
Flagler College is moving in a new direction. In recent years, many liberal arts colleges have introduced women’s studies programs into their curriculum, and Flagler is finally catching up.
Florida Polytechnic University: Head Off Controversy
Lakeland Ledger
As Florida’s 12th state university, Florida Polytechnic has no students and no classes to show for its new-in-2012 designation. Political benefactor state Sen. J.D. Alexander retired from office when he hit his term limit at the end of 2012, so Florida Polytechnic University is vulnerable to the same political process that brought it to life last year…
A hearty welcome to New College president
Bradenton Herald
In a meeting last week with the Bradenton Herald Editorial Board, Donal O’Shea displayed why he is a great fit for the liberal arts college…
‘Four’ a bad idea
Ocala Star-Banner
It seems odd at first that the University of Florida has taken a stance against a proposal to guarantee state university students that their tuition wouldn’t change over four years in school. After all, it was UF President Bernie Machen who initially floated the idea…
Frenette: Suddenly, state of Florida is Sweet 16 heaven
Florida Times-Union (blog)
The University of Florida making three consecutive runs to the Sweet 16 for the first time is a big story. But who would have guessed the 14th-ranked Gators sharing that stage with some unlikely NCAA tournament party crashers from their own backyard? Florida being four wins away from a national championship isn’t all that unusual. The Gators’ 78-64 win over Minnesota Sunday night advanced them to the Sweet 16 for the ninth time overall, and seventh under coach Billy Donovan. However, Florida Gulf Coast and Miami having that same opportunity is something nobody would have believed when this season began…
Editorial: A big boon, a bigger bargain
Ocala
A new study by the Florida College System, which includes the state’s 28 community colleges, shows that not only are the colleges of great educational benefit to our state, but they are a huge economic driver as well…
Thumb up: Annual economic impact of Indian River State College more than $1 billion
TCPalm
A BILLION BUCKS: A study commissioned by the Florida College System estimates the annual economic impact on the Treasure Coast of Indian River State College at $1.1 billion…
Public Deeds: Gigs and Garlands
News Chief
GARLAND: To Polk State College for a strong result in a study of the economic effect of the Florida State College System.
Dr. George J. Hagerty to serve as Beacon College’s next president
Daily Commercial
A Harvard University graduate with more than 35 years experience in higher education, business, government and nonprofit work has been appointed the new president of Beacon College, school officials announced Thursday…
Lawmaker got his start in Lynn student government, tackling the speed bump issue
Palm Beach Post
Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, District 25, D-Wellington…I was elected student body treasurer as a sophomore at Lynn and the first junior to be elected president. I was really driven to make our campus safer and get better amenities for our students. Our big initiative was we changed speed “bumps” to speed “humps.”
Father-son authors tout writing as a bonding experience for families
Palm Beach Post
Lynn University Director of American Studies, Robert Watson, Ph. D., and son Alex Watson speak at the Palm Beach County Library Lantana Branch about their new book “Tsunami” on March 24, 2013.
Distinctly honored: Palm Beach Atlantic recognizes Coniglio, Moore for service
Palm Beach Daily News
Palm Beach Atlantic University honored residents Gail Coniglio and Danielle Hickox Moore at its Women of Distinction luncheon. As if there were any doubt…
Noted Pensacola State College instructor killed by pickup
Pensacola News Journal
A longtime Pensacola State College instructor and faculty member was killed by a pickup this morning while he was walking his dog. Larry Gardner, 67, was hit at about 8:30 a.m. on the shoulder of Creighton Road, about 200 feet from the Summer Lakes subdivision where he lived, Pensacola police said. The pickup’s driver, Philip Masino, 63, drove onto the shoulder and hit Gardner, who died at the scene.
SFSC search down to 4
News-Sun
The incoming president will replace longtime SFSC President Dr. Norman L. Stephens Jr., who announced his retirement in the fall. Stephens will remain as the leader of the college until June 30. Trustee Ken Lambert, head of the Presidential Screening Committee, revealed the names of the four finalists: Dr. Marie Gnage, Dr. John Holdnak, Dr. Thomas Leitzel and Dr. Paul Nagy.
St. Pete vintage clothing store closes, but trend remains hot
TBO.com
“The scene is up-and-coming,” said local artist Brandi Stark, who also teaches religious studies at St. Petersburg College, in an email…
Q&A: Seth Meyers
Central Florida Future
The Central Florida Future sat down with Saturday Night Live cast member and comedian Seth Meyers to talk about his stand-up, TV career and upcoming visit to the UCF Arena on Monday. Here’s what he had to say…
No link locally between pesticides, cancer, UF expert says
Gainesville Sun
According to Dr. Mark Mossler, a doctor of plant medicine and a pesticide information officer at the University of Florida, pesticide usage in this part of the state “is not that drastic” because the predominant plants grown here — including peanuts …
Artist William Villalongo collaborates with University of Tampa
Tampabay.com
He was recently at the University of Tampa to collaborate on a series of prints at its STUDIO-f, which are on view in the university’s Scarfone/Hartley Gallery along with a group of new paintings.
Marrero named University of West Georgia president
Atlanta Business Chronicle
Kyle Marrero, vice president for University Advancement at the University of West Florida, will become the seventh president of the University of West Georgia, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia announced Friday…
Releases and Web Stories
Former adjunct professor to launch book tour on Flagler campus
ReadMedia (press release)
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (03/22/2013)(readMedia)– Former Flagler College adjunct professor of English Laura Smith will launch her debut novel, “Heart of Palm,” with a reading in the college’s Flagler Room at 6:30 p.m. on April 5.
College to host Startup Weekend Orlando
Seminole State College
The Center for Economic Development at Seminole State College of Florida will host Startup Weekend Orlando at its Heathrow Campus on April 12-14, 2013…
Road after Gideon: Rights of the Indigent
Stetson University Today
As a young lawyer in his 20s working for the Florida attorney general in Tallahassee 50 years ago, a Stetson University College of Law graduate named Bruce Jacob was assigned to represent the respondent in a Supreme Court case that made history. The Court’s landmark decision on March 18, 1963, regarding the right to a fair trial in Gideon v. Wainwright was the impetus for the idea of public defenders. Jacob, now a professor and dean emeritus at Stetson University College of Law, was inspired to dedicate the next 50 years of his life to handling cases for indigent clients.
UF student wins ET York Work of Heart Award
University of Florida
University of Florida student Dan Sibol won the collegiate category at the 2013 E.T. York Work of Heart Awards. The award is given annually to honor the “best examples” of volunteerism in Alachua County.
Florida Agbioscience industries growing, helping region’s economy, new report …
University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Agbioscience boomed in Florida between 2000 and 2010, with related research and development expenditures in the Sunshine State growing 134 percent during that time, according to a new report.
Downtown festival Saturday offers tastes of Europe
University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Visitors to downtown Gainesville Saturday can enjoy the experiences of Europe without crossing the ocean. The UF Center for European Studies, the UF International Center and Santa Fe College are offering the VIVA EUROPE! Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza. Admission is free.
University of Miami iCamp presents conference on nutrition and pain management
Examiner.com
This coming month The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Complementary & Integrative Medicine division will be presenting the professional conference Applying Clinical Nutrition & Integrative Therapies to Pain Management.
Digitizing project seeks to preserve important slice of Florida’s history
USFSP News
As Florida marks its 500th anniversary, J. Michael Francis, the Hough Family Endowed Chair in Florida Studies at USF St. Petersburg, is leading an effort to digitize and preserve centuries-old documents that tell the story of the Spanish Colonial period in St. Augustine…
