The process to create Florida’s 12th public university hit a few snags Wednesday, as a special Board of Governors panel got an update on how the creation of the new Florida Polytechnic University is progressing. But, as Sascha Cordner reports, the university could be in jeopardy. So far, not enough people have applied to serve on its Board of Trustees.
The panel in charge of making sure the conversion of the University of South Florida’s Polytechnic campus into a standalone university goes smoothly encountered a few complications when it got an update Wednesday. As of that morning, not too many people expressed interest in becoming one of the new University’s 11 trustees.
“The Governor has six vacancies and the Governor has received only six applications. And, we [the Board of Governors] don’t have enough applications yet to fill our five vacancies," said Vikki Shirley, the Board of Governors General Counsel.
Shirley gave that update to the members of the Board of Governors Select Committee on Florida Polytechnic University.
The committee’s timeline to create the new Florida Polytechnic University sped up, after Governor Rick Scott approved a bill pushed by Senate Budget Chief JD Alexander. It makes the Lakeland campus the state’s 12th public university effective July 1st. A former plan by the Board of Governors would have taken years.
To make important decisions regarding the university, a Board of Trustees is needed. Some are chosen by the Governor and some are chosen by the Board of Governors. With so few a number applying, an extension of the May 31st deadline could be considered.
The Chairman of the special Board of Governors panel Mori Hosseini says he does not want to see the selection process rushed.
“This is going to take time. This is going to take time for us to get the best. Yes, tomorrow, we can appoint those four that just came in. And, say as of today, you’re a board member. That is not serving our state, and I don’t think this Governor or our Legislators want that. We want to do it right,” said Hosseini.
The panel also heard more money is needed if they want to at least get the initial phase of the Lakeland Campus off the ground. The construction is expected to cost close to $100 million, and $14 milllion more could be needed.
The full Board of Governors is expected to take up several recommendations next week.
