(Updated 4/30/12) This year, several bills related to university and college governance were filed. The governance issue is critical to the University of West Florida, and below you will find information on each of the key pieces of legislation as well as links to the bills and tables detailing the provisions of each.
House Bill 7135
This bill directs numerous changes to existing law that include duties of the State Board of Education relating to the 5-year plan for postsecondary enrollment and the strategic plan that specifies goals and objectives for public schools and Florida College System institutions, requirements for a unified state plan for STEM and STEM-related programs and requirements for the strategic plan and the accountability goals and objectives for the State University System.
>>Summary of Provisions of Enrolled Final Version of HB 7135 (4/25/12)<<
Final Action: Signed by Governor
House Bill 7129
This bill is called the State Universities of Academic and Research Excellence and National Preeminence Act. It establishes a collaborative partnership between the Board of Governors of the State University System and the Legislature to elevate the academic and research excellence and national preeminence of the highest-performing state universities, authorizes certain state universities to establish student tuition and fees at differentiated and market rates and establishes academic and research excellence standards for state universities of national preeminence.
>>Summary of Provisions of Enrolled Final Version of HB 7129 (4/25/12)<<
Final Action: Vetoed by Governor
Senate Bill 1366
This bill Requires that the Department of Economic Opportunity prepare, or contract with an entity to prepare, an economic security report of employment and earning outcomes for degrees earned at a state university. It also requires that the Department of Economic Opportunity, in coordination with Workforce Florida, Inc., recruit students who meet specified requirements and match them to potential employers. Furthe requires that the Department of Economic Opportunity refer secondary school students who have been identified as having earned an industry certification in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics to an online registration website or a private placement service that links the student to information, resources, and employment opportunities, etc.
Final Action: Laid on Table by Legislature