Florida Higher Education Capitol Clips:
Fla. Gov. will veto 3 percent college tuition hike
AP
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who has maintained a steadfast opposition in the last year to raising the cost of college for students, will veto a proposed 3 percent tuition hike. Despite the governor’s earlier warnings the Republican-led Florida Legislature included the hike in a $74.5 billion budget passed earlier this month. Scott planned to sign the budget into law on Monday, but he is expected to veto numerous spending items, including the proposed tuition hike. The hike was expected to generate close to $50 million for the state’s public universities and 28 colleges. In a copy of his veto message first obtained by The Associated Press, Scott writes that Floridians should be “proud to keep tuition low.”
State Universities Celebrate Lucrative Legislative Session
WFSU
Florida’s public university administrators are celebrating after the legislative session. Lawmakers restored funding they’d lost in the recent past. And, higher ed officials say, things like “preeminent” status for Florida State University and the University of Florida should help keep more Florida high-schoolers in state for college.
State University System
Substance abuse treatment facility leases at FAU Research Park
South Florida Business Journal
A substance abuse treatment facility signed a 6,000-square-foot lease at the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University. Life of Purpose opened this month in the Boca Raton location. It helps young adults who had their academic careers disrupted by substance abuse and uses different treatment methods than for the general population…
New Survey Highlights Optimism And Challenges For Lee County’s Economy
WGCU News
According to a survey of about a hundred executives conducted by Florida Gulf Coast University and the Horizon Council, optimism about the future of the local economy among industry leaders in Lee County has greatly increased.
Teacher-training programs’ success under scrutiny
MiamiHerald.com
…UCF is the largest producers of teachers in the state; the university’s education school enrolls more than 2,000 students. It prides itself on being one of the strongest teacher training program in Florida, a position it has gained, school officials say, by nimbly responding to changes in the profession…
UCF med students graduate debt free
NBC Nightly News
Four years ago when UCF had just broken ground on its medical school, it offered free tuition and a stipend for living expenses to lure the best and brightest students. Now those students are graduating and heading off to prestigious residency programs. NBC’s Kerry Sanders reports…
The doctors are in: UCF College of Medicine graduates charter class (Video)
Orlando Business Journal
A who’s who in Central Florida business showed up on May 17 as the University of Central Florida College of Medicine graduated its charter class of 36 students…
UCF Medical School graduates its first class today
Orlando Sentinel
The first class of medical students graduated from University of Central Florida College of Medicine this morning, during a ceremony at the main university campus…
UCF School of Medicine graduates charter class
WFTV Orlando
Of the more than 235,000 degrees awarded by the University of Central Florida, 36 were awarded Friday to the UCF School of Medicine charter class. The Florida Legislature approved the program in 2006, and $70 million in donations built the 170,000-square-foot facility at Lake Nona…
A license plate for every cause, but how much is raised?
Sun-Sentinel
…By contrast, just 13,309 drivers bought University of Central Florida plates, providing more than $330,000 for the school…
City narrowly OKs higher parking fees for renters
Gainesville Sun
Renters in residential areas near the University of Florida campus will pay significantly more for parking permits. On Thursday, the City Commission narrowly approved a plan to increase the cost for an annual on-street residential parking decal…
Two women held up at gunpoint in separate robberies
Gainesville Sun
Gainesville police were in the midst of an active manhunt on Friday afternoon just after 5 p.m. for two men suspected in two separate armed robberies within blocks of each other near the University of Florida campus.
A Florida first: UF offering cheaper online degrees
Sun-Sentinel
The University of Florida, the state’s top-ranked public college, soon will offer 20-25 bachelor’s degree programs fully online, at a cost cheaper than on-campus classes. It’s the first such program offered by a Florida public university
Update: Bomb Threat Reported at USF’s Beta Hall
Patch.com
A possible bomb threat at the University of South Florida’s Beta Hall has sparked an investigation on campus. According to The Oracle, the USF Police Department has confirmed a bomb threat. Domingo said the police department received an anonymous threat around 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19, and immediately set up a perimeter around the building. The threat also led to a full search inside and outside of Beta Hall, which is currently unoccupied for the summer term…
USF, Eckerd host sailing championships
Tampabay.com
Hundreds of the country’s top collegiate sailors will compete on the waters of Tampa Bay this week and next as USF St. Petersburg, Eckerd College and the …
Summit encourages girls to pursue science
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee hosts the event to encourage girls to enter fields stereotyped as “male” domains. Nationwide, 22 percent of engineers are women, according to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women…
State College System
High School Students Look to Dual Enrollment to Boost Employment Prospects
WMFE
In April the Florida department of education gave the College of Central Florida a $100,000 grant to run a statewide website as a one stop resource for dual enrollment…
FGC to host Common Core Standards conference this Saturday
Lake City Journal
Florida Gateway College will host a conference on Saturday, May 18, on the college campus to train teachers for the upcoming statewide implementation…
Haney, GCSC sign transfer agreement
The News Herald
Heads of Gulf Coast State College and Haney Technical Center signed articulation agreements that will offer Haney students a shortcut to earning an associate’s degree of science and gain more support for future employment…
GCSC Voodoo Jet Scheduled For Removal
wmbb
Panama City will remove the remaining Voodoo fighter jet located at Gulf Coast State College on June 5th. For almost four decades, these military jets made their mark on Bay County. Now it’s their legacy that will be remembered.
Guinness World Records collection on display at Santa Fe College
Gainesville Sun
A Guinness World Records certificate sits on top of a sample of the 5000 letter openers on display at Santa Fe College…
Independent Colleges and Universities
Flagler College’s fourth floor Solarium is almost completed
St. Augustine Record
The scaffolding is coming down and the Windex is doing overtime duty in the domed solarium at Flagler College as workers with A.D. Davis Construction finish up a $2.3 million renovation…
FIT wants state funds to launch new lab
Florida Today
As he did a year ago, Gov. Rick Scott will soon decide whether state funds should launch a new space research center at Florida Tech. The Melbourne university says its Space Exploration Research Laboratory would position the state to grow its meager share of NASA science research grants, create jobs and benefit students…
Hunger “Summit” In Fort Myers
Southwest Florida
The 2013 Hunger Summit will be held May 31 at Hodges University in Fort Myers…
Lynn edges Nova Southeastern for D-2 title – Golf Week
Golfweek.com
Lynn University took home the big prize defeating Nova Southeastern by three shots at LPGA International’s Legends Course…
Sykes partners with Saint Leo for degree programs
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Saint Leo University will open an education center on the premises of the Sykes Enterprises contact center in Lakeland near Interstate 4…
University of Miami Hospital sends team to Panama to save NCIS agent’s life
MiamiHerald.com
Avid runner Noel Zuniga had just finished his daily run, when he began experiencing chest pains. It was 6:30 p.m. on March 17, and Zuniga an NCIS agent in charge for the U. S. Embassy in Panama, had returned days earlier from a snorkeling trip…
University of Miami research park leasing up – slideshow
South Florida Business Journal (blog)
The occupancy rate at the University of Miami Life Science & Technology Park is now at 75 percent following its lease for 20,000 square feet with DaVita, the nation’s largest dialysis provider…
Yip Yap: Noted and Quoted FLHE Voices from Around the State
Editorial: Rein in outsized perks given Florida’s college presidents
Sun-Sentinel
Start with a six-figure base salary for state college presidents. Add five figures for a retirement package, another five for deferred compensation and another five for a housing allowance. In some cases, add another five figures for a vehicle and another five for major medical. Now, throw in a host of “other compensation benefits” and pretty soon you’re talking real money…
Accounting for pay
The News Herald
You know you have a problem when state auditors cannot tell the governor exactly how much some public college presidents are paid in salary and benefits…
CF president is a bargain
Ocala
When the trustees at the College of Central Florida hired Jim Henningsen last year as the college’s new president, it was the culmination of a lengthy national search that had the trustees gushing…
Stein: FAU’s Saunders puts blame in wrong place
Sun-Sentinel
There were two things very unsurprising about the resignation last week of Florida Atlantic University president Mary Jane Saunders. Not surprising thing No. 1: That Saunders resigned. It would have been surprising only if she had tried to stay in her job.
Guest column: Backed into a corner
Florida Today
Let me add my own analysis to Florida Institute of Technology professor Dr. Wanfa Zhang’s comments in Matt Reed’s recent column, “How much to fear North Korea.” A healthy country must possess two things: a strong vision of the future and an accurate …
Denton: The better FSCJ story
Florida Times-Union
This is the story of the real Florida State College at Jacksonville, where eager, hardworking students can take affordable advantage of caring faculty members to build their lives, often through great adversity.
Letter: Outstanding theater productions at Indian River State College deserve …
TCPalm
Letter: Outstanding theater productions deserve wide audience. It was my pleasure to attend the Indian River State College McAlpin Theatre production of “Annie Get Your Gun.” As always it was a wonderful show…
Pell grants for poor students can change lives so let’s fix the system not …
MiamiHerald.com
We read a great deal lately about the high cost of education, and as sequestration goes into effect the discussion often turns to eliminating taxpayers’ dollars from education…Eduardo J. Padrón is the president of Miami Dade College.
Editorial: USFSP business school deserves state support
Tampabay.com
The business school at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg has succeeded despite its physical constraints. Spread across seven locations on the campus, the school’s 1,900 students and faculty have never had a place to call their own, yet they have still managed to launch an entrepreneurial program that’s garnering national attention. It’s time the school had its own facility, and a single $5 million line item in the state budget for 2013-14 could start the process. Gov. Rick Scott should approve the money as a smart investment in a higher education program that’s already impacting Tampa Bay’s economy for the better…
Cassel: Seeking VC funds? Get creative
MiamiHerald.com
…Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern University and the University of Miami, for example, offer a broad range of opportunities, including everything from business plan competitions to access to funding…
AMU President Towey: “It was an ‘extraordinary’ year!”
The Ave Herald
The 2012-2013 academic year at Ave Maria University ended two major announcements: The closing of the Latin American campus and the pronouncement by Standard and Poor’s that the university’s financial outlook was “stable,” enabling the school to save “millions” through consolidation of debt by floating investment-grade bonds…
Judge to decide if former B-CU football coach was fired over age
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Alvin Wyatt, the winningest football coach in Bethune-Cookman history, will learn next week whether he will add another “W” to his win column — only this time it would be against his old university which he is suing for $1.2 million, accusing it of breach of contract. Wyatt, 65, is suing B-CU, accusing it of breach of contract and age discrimination after he was fired in 2009 and replaced by then-39-year-old Brian Jenkins. Circuit Judge Terence R. Perkins said he would issue a ruling on Wednesday after the nonjury trial this week at the City Island Courthouse Annex…
Student beaten, car stolen after stopping to help woman he hit
Tbo.com
After he got out of his car to help a woman he had accidentally hit with his car, an Eckerd College student was beaten by a small crowd early this morning in South St. Petersburg, according to police. Connor Gallagher, 20, was left lying in the road while someone rode off with his car, said St. Petersburg police spokesman Mike Puetz…
Florida mandate will cost school districts
The News-Press
Maggie Helms, a graduating senior from Southwest Florida Christian Academy, credits the dual enrollment program between her school and Edison State College for exposing her to teaching styles of college professors…
Robinson delivers state of FAMU: calls alumni to recruit new students …
Tallahassee.com
FAMU, a historically black university, has been has seen its funding source through state budget reduced as has had all of the state-funded schools…
FAU president’s new salary to cost taxpayers more
Sun-Sentinel
Mary Jane Saunders may be stepping down as president of Florida Atlantic University, but she will remain as one of the school’s highest paid employees. And her new $276,000 salary will actually cost taxpayers $76,000 more…
Florida State police find spray-painted messages on Florida High campus
Tallahassee.com
Three Lincoln High School seniors were arrested today for their role in spray painting on numerous Leon County high schools. Fidel Ibeneme, Edmond Adkins, Danial Ibrahim, all 18, now face charges of trespassing on school grounds and criminal mischief for causing several thousand dollars worth of damage to Lincoln, Leon, Chiles, Godby and Rickards high schools, according to Lt. James McQuaig, public information officer for the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
Bay unemployment down, but so are jobs
The News Herald
That’s not unusual, said Florida State University Economics Department Chairman Robert Mark Isaac. “The employment rate only applies to those people who are in the job market,” Isaac said.
STEM Building Makes Turkey List
wmbb
Dr. Jim Kerley, president of Gulf Coast State College, says the current science facilities were built in the 1950′s and are significantly outdated. He says there are some safety concerns, and they are not ADA compliant…
The New Innovation Of A College Education
CBS Local
“Most people do very well as long as they are in class and one of the advantages of college is that it gives you structure,” said Dr. Rene Garcia, Miami-Dade College Enrollment Director…
Polk’s Unemployment Rate Falls
The Ledger
“Clearly, businesses continue to struggle in a challenging economic environment,” said Gordon Kettle, an economics professor at Polk State College…
Alexander leaves Stetson to take Lipscomb job
Fox News
Casey Alexander resigned after two seasons as head coach of the Stetson University men’s basketball team to take a similar job with Lipscomb, another Atlantic Sun Conference squad…
UCF Rosen Instructor Reinstated Following Suspension for “Killing Spree …
KnightNews.com
An instructor at the University of Cenrtal Florida’s Rosen Campus was reinstated after being placed on administrative leave following a reference he made to “a killing spree” during one of his class sessions, the Orlando Sentinel reports. According to the Orlando Sentienl, a university spokesman said Dr. Hyung-il Jung, a lecturer at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, has been cleared and will teach a class this summer.
UCF student’s blood tested for alcohol after crash kills Orlando man
Orlando Sentinel
A University of Central Florida student’s blood was tested for alcohol after she was accused of causing a fatal head-on crash early Saturday. Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes said the test was ordered after first responders to the 5:30 a.m. crash in east Orange County suspected driver Dana McKinnon was impaired. McKinnon 22, of Oviedo was driving eastbound on Lake Pickett Road near Tanner Road when her two-door Mitsubishi crossed into the westbound lane, crashing into a Toyota van and killing its driver, Montes said. The van driver, Vinh Vo, 42, of Orlando, died at the scene, officials said.
Volusia, Flagler unemployment rates keep improving
Daytona Beach News-Journal
“There’s still a long ways to go,” said Sean Snaith, with the University of Central Florida.
Rare drop in healthcare hiring brings Miami-Dade its slowest job growth in …
MiamiHerald.com
Sean Snaith, an economist at the University of Central Florida, cautioned against reading too much into recent hiring data for healthcare. “It’s probably reflective of where we are with healthcare reform, and trying to digest what it’s going to mean for premiums and insurance companies and how hospitals and caregivers are going to be paid,’’ Snaith said. “Until some of the smoke clears from healthcare reform, it probably makes sense that people would pause and get their bearings.”
Student Gets 3 Years In Jail For DUI Crash That Killed A Grandmother
CBS Local
Villanueva, a University of Miami student, faced multiple charges for the accident. Villanueva faced up to 20 years in prison had she been convicted of all of the charges she was facing…
First Coast home sales, prices way up, jobless figures dip down
Florida Times-Union
University of North Florida economist Paul Mason has been tracking figures that impact the First Coast economy for 12 years, but he’s never seen the housing market jump like it did between March and April. “We saw a monumental increase in the housing …
Sumter detectives ask public for help in identifying body found near I-75 and …
Orlando Sentinel
Detectives have been working with Erin Kimmerle, a forensic anthropologist with the University of South Florida, to find out about the murder victim, reading her life history through the few clues left by her remains…
Best way to work out your core muscles?
Boston Globe
“There’s a vast array of things that people recommend,” says John Mayer, a biomechanical and chiropractic researcher at University of South Florida, yet there hasn’t been much research to support one exercise over another…
Troubled kids need more help – expert
3News NZ
Professor Bill Evans of the University of West Florida says with the right help, these students can become productive members of society. “These kids manifest lots of behavioural issues that impair their ability to interact with the school curriculum …
Releases and Web Stories
Keiser University partners with Aerotech Golf
TCPalm
By news release The Keiser University College of Golf & Sport Management announced a new partnership with Aerotech Golf…
Victory! Women’s Golf Fights to the Finish to Claim 2013 NCAA Division II National Championship
Lynn University
Daytona Beach, Fla.- Lynn University’s women’s golf team captured the 2013 NCAA Division II National Championship on Saturday afternoon, edging four-time defending national champions and top-ranked Nova Southeastern by three strokes with a 1,187 team score in the four-round tournament held at the LPGA International Legends Course. Lynn shot a 305 on the final day to finish the tournament +35 on the 6,228-yard par-72 course. This is the second NCAA title for the women’s program, and fourth overall, and gives Lynn University 21 national championships in its illustrious history…
Transcript: Spring 2013 President’s Report: A Video Message for the USF Community
USF News
Hello, this is Judy Genshaft, President of the University of South Florida System. We’ve wrapped up another academic year and celebrated more than six thousand new degrees in the USF System this semester alone…
