By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-986583.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – The University of South Florida's Polytech campus is making a bid to become a separate school. Lynn Hatter reports supporters of the proposal to allow USF Polytech to split from the University of South Florida made their pitches to the Board of Governors Thursday.
If the Board approves the University of South Florida Polytech's proposal, it would become the 12th public state university. Legislative heavy-hitters like Senate Budget Chief J.D. Alexander and House appropriations Chairwoman Denise Grimsley spoke in favor of USF Polytech's independence. But board member Gus Stavros worried about the financial impact of a 12th state university.
Sound- "How do we get more funding for our 11? Now with 12 universities, how would we get the money? I've not heard a solution."
State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan voiced concerns about other schools looking to follow USF Polytech's independence plan and the chaos it could cause to the system. USF's student body worries the new school wouldn't carry the same name-recognition and jeopardize their job prospects. In the end, no decision on the project was made. The board will take up the proposal again at its November meeting.