A proposal that would partially shield some public university executive searches has stalled for the second time in the Senate. The second delay for the bill could mean trouble.
Republican Senator Alan Hays wants to take presidential and other high-level college and university searches out of the Sunshine. But as Senate Rules Chairman David Simmons told members of his committee Tuesday—the issue is being stalled, for now:
“Members, Senator Hays has requested SB 182 be temporarily postponed," he said.
It’s the second time in two weeks the measure has been postponed in the rules committee—and that could mean there aren’t enough votes to get it passed. The issue of holding public searches for presidents and deans has long rankled universities that say they struggle to find applicants because their names will be public.
The issue reared up again during the recent search for a new President at Florida State University. Former State Senator John Thrasher got the job amid concerns of political collusion.
