The Senate Education Committee meets 2 to 4 p.m. today in 412 Knott. The following higher ed bills are included in the meeting notice:
- SB 454 by Benacquisto—Florida College System Police Officers
- SB 680 by Evers—Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
- SB 920 by Detert—State University System
- SB 1720 by Galvano—College Instruction
A public hearing will also be held for consideration of the below-named executive
appointments:
- Bradshaw, Sara “Sally” S. (Havana) - State Board of Education
- Levine, Alan M. (Naples) - Board of Governors of the State University System
- Corr, Christopher T. (Lake Lure) - Board of Trustees, University of Florida
- Pincomb, Myron W. (Ponte Vedra) - Board of Trustees, University of North Florida
- Walton, Garrett W. (Pensacola) – Board of Trustees, University of West Florida
The House Education Appropriations Subcommittee meets at 9 to 11 p.m. today in 17 HOB. No higher ed bills are up for consideration, but a dual enrollment funding Presentation will be made by OPPAGA.
Happiest of birthday wishes to Jo Ann Walton today!!! Thanks for encouraging me to attend college, despite a considerable accumulation of evidence to the contrary…
JLW
State University System
FAMU presidential search picking up steam
Tallahassee Democrat (blog)
Florida A&M University’s search for a new president will be shifting into high gear next week. It’s possible at least one finalist for the position will be on campus for an official visit late next week. The presidential search committee, made up mostly of members of the Board of Trustees, is meeting next Monday and Tuesday at FAMU’s law school in Orlando. No deadline for applying to be FAMU’s next president has been established. According to FAMU officials, the search will remain open until a new president has been hired…
ACLU asks FAU for files to learn what school knew about it stadium sponsor
Palm Beach Post
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida said Monday it filed a public records request with Florida Atlantic University asking for all documents dealing with a $6 million pledge by the private prison company GEO Group of Boca Raton in exchange for the naming rights to the school’s football stadium…
FGCU men win A-Sun Championship
The News-Press
Florida Gulf Coast University players and head coach Andy Enfield celebrate winning the Atlantic Sun Championship on Saturday by defeating Mercer in Macon, Georgia.
FIU student dies after struck in hit-and-run near her home
Miami Herald
A Florida International University student who was struck by a hit-and-run driver has died. Investigators said Melita Jaric, 43, was walking across Southwest 11th Street west of LeJeune Road from her home to her car when she was struck on Friday…
FIU Begins Inaugural Season Of Beach — Scratch That — Sand Volleyball
WLRN
The sport that Podschweit, Stepanova and the rest of the inaugural Florida International University sand volleyball team will play this spring is a far cry from the bikinis and golden tans that some might have envisioned. For starters, when the NCAA established it as a collegiate sport last year, modest clothing was regulated. And this is a fast-moving sport that demands high endurance; unlike indoor volleyball, which has each team sending six players onto the court, sand volleyball is a killer two-on-two game…
FSU student veterans create art as therapy for Peace Projoect
Tallahassee Democrat
So when she was first approached with the idea of participating in a Peace Papers project, the art therapy graduate student at Florida State University saw it as a cathartic way to turn one of her Army uniforms into a piece of art…
UCF Police Department seeks accreditation
Central Florida Future
The UCF Police Department will undergo a review of its policies, procedures and management this week as part of a rigorous accreditation process, which is expected to further professionalize the agency. From Monday to Wednesday, the department will be required to demonstrate to an independent law enforcement commission that it meets about 260 state and federal standards…
Blackstone Foundation to invest $1.4M into entrepreneurship program at UCF
Orlando Business Journal
Blackstone Charitable Foundation is putting $1.4 million over three years in an entrepreneurship program at the University of Central Florida, officials are expected to announce later this morning…
UCF to receive $1.4 million grant to open entrepreneurial center
Orlando Sentinel
The University of Central Florida will open an entrepreneurial center in the Student Union this summer. But unlike similar programs that cater largely to business students and others in specific majors, this one will invite all students…
UF offers free online courses
WUFT
The University of Florida became the first state university to launch massive open online courses, or MOOCs, which are starting here this year. The classes cannot be taken for credit. There is no attendance limit to the classes…
Still no chancellor named for USF St Pete
Tampa Bay Times
In late January, six candidates were trotted out to the Marriott at Tampa International for interviews. The six were narrowed to three, who in February each came to Tampa Bay for two-day visits apiece. But weeks have passed and there’s no news to report on who will be the next chancellor of USF St. Petersburg, says university spokesman Tom Scherberger. If an offer’s been made, he isn’t aware of it. The decision is in the hands of Judy Genshaft, the president of USF. As search committee chairman Frank Biafora and Scherberger have both cautioned, Genshaft has complete control: She could pick a candidate, or reject all of them. Interim Chancellor Bill Hogarth, while among the six initial candidates, was not chosen by the search committee to advance to the final three…
Independent Colleges and Universities
Stetson named Presidential Award Finalist for community service
Daytona Times
Stetson University is one of 14 universities named a Presidential Award Finalist in the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. Stetson’s selection to the Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.
University of Tampa Aims To Increase Women in Technology
83degreesmedia
The University of Tampa (UT) is joining the national effort to attract, increase and retain the number of women in technology fields by participating in The National Center for Women and Information Technology’s (NCWIT) Pacesetters program…
Yip Yap: Noted and Quoted FLHE Voices from Around the Web
Editorial: USF, TGH need to work together
Tampabay.com
It is hard to imagine a worse time for strains to appear in the working relationship between the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital…
Letter: Why FAU shouldn’t let GEO Group advertise itself with stadium name
TC Palm
I am critically concerned about the donation by GEO Group of Palm Beach for the “naming rights” to the new football stadium at Florida Atlantic University. GEO runs prisons for a profit. As a former correctional officer, I believe that privatizing prison systems is a horrendously bad idea…Robert Ellenson, Port St. Lucie
Ave Maria University President Defends Church’s Teachings on PBS NewsHour
The Cardinal Newman Society
PBS NewsHour’s Ray Saurez recently interviewed Ave Maria University President Jim Towey and R. Scott Appleby, professor of history at the University of Notre Dame, about polls indicating that many who self-identify as Catholic disagree with the Church’s teachings…
SW Florida Catholics’ excitement for conclave in overdrive, here …
Naples Daily News
“For about 600 years, the conclave had followed a papal funeral since papal resignations have rarely been seen,” said Jane Adolphe, an Ave Maria School of Law professor who currently works at the Vatican for the Secretariat of State. Adolphe is one of several people from Southwest Florida overseas for the historic event.
FAMU graduates lend African American history exhibit at Epcot
WTXL ABC 27
With the help of two Florida A&M University alumni, Walt Disney World is putting on display more than 400 years of African-American achievement and contributions. ”Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection,” opened March 8 at the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot. The exhibit features an extensive collection of rare art, documents, books and artifacts amassed by philanthropists, and FAMU graduates, Bernard and Shirley Kinsey.
FAMU awards scholarships during President’s Tour
WTXL ABC 27
Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) President’s Tour has begun, presenting more than $306,000 at its first two stops. Interim President Larry Robinson began the annual President’s Tour in Pensacola, Fla. by awarding $238,353 in scholarships at a reception held at Booker T. Washington High School. Before awarding scholarships, Robinson shared with the students and parents why FAMU has a unique historical mission and a special purpose that is critically needed in these contemporary times. ”Be a part of our greatness,” Robinson said . “As you begin to make a decision about the best institution for your college experience, select Florida A&M University. It will help you to discover what you can become.”
Woodley to keynote Honors Convocation
Blog: Rattler Nation
FAMU will host its annual Honors Convocation Thursday, March 28 at 11 a.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium. Alumna and retired Navy Lt. Cmdr Pia Woodley will serve as the keynote speaker. Currently, Woodley is an adjunct professor in the FAMU School of Allied Health Sciences.
Police: Student redirected FSU PC wifi users to porn site
The News Herald
A student who allegedly hacked into the wireless Internet network at Florida State University Panama City and redirected users to a porn site is facing felony charges. Benjamin Blouin, 26, admitted to hacking the college’s network because he wanted to illustrate the security flaws in the system, according to an arrest affidavit filed by campus police charging him with offenses against computer users, a third-degree felony.
Tickets available for Cuban blogger’s speech at Miami Dade College
Local 10 (blog)
Miami Dade College is offering a limited number of tickets to a speech by a prominent Cuban dissident blogger. Yoani Sanchez is speaking at the Freedom Tower at 2 p.m. April 1. A limited number of tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first serve basis beginning Monday, March 11, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following four MDC campuses…
Man arrested after leading deputies on chase near UCF
Central Florida News 13
…Police had the vehicle surrounded when the suspect, 23-year-old Joshua Chavarria, backed up into a deputy’s car and drove away. In the process, he crashed into a storage shed connected to an apartment on Pasteur Drive near University Boulevard and Alafaya Trail…
Discovery documents released in murder case of University of Tampa student
Bay News 9
The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office is releasing discovery documents in the murder case of University of Tampa student Ryan McCall. The documents are 266 pages long and include information about the night in August, 2009 that McCall was killed. McCall and a friend were walking home after a friend’s birthday party in Tampa. They were approached near the University of Tampa campus by a man demanding money…
Releases and Web Stories
Flagler College to host Florida Fulbright Association meeting
ReadMedia (press release)
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (03/11/2013)(readMedia)– Flagler College will host the combined Florida Chapters of the J. William Fulbright Association on April 6 in the College’s Flagler Room. Approximately 50 Fulbright scholars from around the world who are currently teaching and researching in Florida will be in attendance, as well as the Deputy Consul General of Spain, Javier Pagalday…
Flagler College professor publishes book on gaming research
ReadMedia (press release)
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (03/11/2013)(readMedia)– Assistant professor of communication Matthew Wysocki was recently published in the book, “Ctrl-Alt-Play: Essays on Control in Video Gaming.” In addition to co-writing a chapter and the introduction, Wysocki edited the book, which discusses issues of control in video games. After discovering that his fellow academics were working separate but similar projects concerning video game control, Wysocki organized a conference panel about the topic…
Florida State University Research Foundation Assigned Patent
Laser Focus world
ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 11 — Florida State University Research Foundation, Tallahassee, Fla., has been assigned a patent (8,387,469) developed by Okenwa Okoli, Tallahassee, Fla., Ben Wang, Tallahassee, Fla., and Tarik J. Dickens, Tallahassee, Fla., for “systems, methods, and apparatus for structural health monitoring.”…
Florida Tech Bucks National Trend, Holds Line on 2013-14 Tuition
The Herald
MELBOURNE, Fla., March 11, 2013 — /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — While students heading back to class at some of the nation’s colleges could face double-digit tuition increases this fall, Florida Institute of Technology is taking a different approach…
Presidential Advisor David Gergen to Open Inaugural Lecture Series
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Former U.S. Senator George LeMieux today announced the inaugural speaker at the LeMieux Center for Public Policy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. National political analyst and Harvard School of Government Professor David Gergen will speak to students and special guests at the University on Thursday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m. The free public event takes place in the University’s DeSantis Family Chapel, 300 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach…
Bradford Fest Events Raise SF Scholarship Funds
Santa Fe College
The city of Starke has been busy these past few weekends holding fundraisers for scholarships for Santa Fe College students from Bradford County. The first event, the 3rd annual Miss Bradford Fest contest, was held Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Bradford High School auditorium.
SF Alumnus Jason Macdonald to Perform in Florida March 20 through …
Santa Fe College
Jason Macdonald, a Santa Fe College alumnus who is currently a member of Parsons Dance, will be in Florida for performances Wednesday, March 20-Saturday, March 23. The company, based in New York City, is touring as part of its 2013 season and will visit St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Lake Worth.
Speakers chosen for TEDx at Stetson
Stetson University Today
Speakers have been chosen for Stetson’s TEDx event and they include Stetson faculty and students as well as members of the community. The topics being discussed range from human qualities to the importance of media. Each Tedx talk will be approximately 6-18 minutes in length. In addition to the live speakers, 2-3 TED talks will be shown from the TED website…
Blackstone Charitable Foundation Expands Campus Entrepreneurship Program “Blackstone Launchpad” to Central Florida
Press Release
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Blackstone Charitable Foundation today announced yet another expansion of its campus entrepreneurship program, Blackstone LaunchPad, to Central Florida. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation’s $1.4 million grant establishes a partnership between the University of Central Florida and the University of Miami to introduce entrepreneurship as a viable career option, and provide university students with a network of venture coaches and entrepreneurial support to transform new ideas into viable companies. With a physical presence at the University of Central Florida, Blackstone LaunchPad has the potential to generate some 300 new ventures in Central Florida over the next five years. Blackstone LaunchPad is modeled after a successful program developed at the University of Miami in 2008, which has generated more than 100 start-up ventures, 215 new jobs and drawn nearly 2,000 participants…
500 Fifth-Graders to Learn About College Opportunities
University of Central Florida
About 500 fifth-graders from underserved schools will examine meteorites and animal bones, act in theatre games and participate in other educational activities during a college-exploration day Friday at the University of Central Florida.
Yale professor to talk about racially restrictive covenants
University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — While the idea sounds absurd today, up until the 1940s it was not uncommon for property deeds to include clauses that restricted the sale of property to whites only. In 1948, the Supreme Court ruled against these racially restrictive covenants and the practice was outlawed in 1968 by the Fair Housing Act. Carol M. Rose, a Yale and Arizona law professor, will discuss, “Property Law and the Rise, Life, and Demise of Racially Restrictive Covenants,” at the sixth annual Wolf Family Lecture on the American Law of Real Property at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Pharmacy researcher recognized for best paper
University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The American Pharmacists Association has presented its “best published paper” award to a professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy for her paper examining the pharmacist’s role in patient care.
Undergraduates urged to complete survey
University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida undergraduate students who complete an online survey between Wednesday and July 20 will have a chance to win iPad prize packs, Beats Solo headphone prize packs, and free student memberships to the Harn Museum of Art. The Student Experience in the Research University survey, or SERU, covers topics such as satisfaction with faculty, academic experience and student engagement. Unless students complete the survey, they will not be eligible to receive Gator football tickets via the upcoming football lottery…
Museum hosts activities to learn more about geology
University of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Visitors to the Florida Museum of Natural History on Saturday can spend the day watching volcanic eruptions and sifting for gems, minerals and other treasures at the seventh annual “Can You Dig It?” event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free, family-friendly event is sponsored by the University of Florida’s department of geological sciences and the Florida Museum in collaboration with Geohazards Inc., Creative Environmental Solutions Inc. and Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. and features many hands-on activities…
University of Miami geologists to address the mystery of an evolution gap in reef corals
Phys.Org (press release)
One of the greatest mysteries of modern coral reefs is how they evolved from ancient corals. A critical knowledge gap has long existed in the record of coral evolution. This evolutionary gap occurs during a period of dramatic fluctuations in sea level and changes in the Earth’s climate between 1 and 2 million years ago. During this period many “old” corals went extinct, and the modern reef corals emerged. To fill this key temporal gap and understand the evolutionary and ecological transition to modern Caribbean reefs, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded a University of Miami (UM) project to study corals along the southern coast of the Dominican Republic. It is one of the few areas that contain a record of coral reefs from this period of climatic change…
