By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-983225.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Board overseeing the state's 11 public universities has watered down a controversial proposal over how and where the schools can expand. Lynn Hatter reports the Board of Governors received pushback from several state colleges over the rule designed to stem the turf battles that have occurred between the schools recently.
The rule would have required universities within a region to get approval from other universities in the same area before starting up new degree programs. The Board of Governor's changed the rule after several universities complained it was too restrictive.
The revised plan calls for the universities to notify the Board before launching new programs and business partnerships in other areas of the state.
Over the past year the board has dealt with three separate conflicts between the schools. Florida State University recently clashed with Florida Atlantic over FSU's new digital animation program in West Palm beach, where FAU already has a similar program. Florida A & M and the University of West Florida were in conflict over FAMU's satellite pharmacy program in Crestview. And the University of Florida has crossed Florida International University by offering a microbiology program at Miami-Dade College.