(Updated 11/14/12) Over the past few months, the Florida Legislature, the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education conducted several studies related to higher education policy and funding. Please find updated activity on each of these endeavors below. Some are ongoing efforts and will require ongoing tracking.
Board of Governors
SUS Facilities Task Force
The Florida Board of Governors at its March 22nd meeting announced the appointment of a Facilities Task Force on funding, to address the "crisis" in infrastructure and facilities funding amid the State University System. The Task Force represents a broad spectrum of university leaders, and leadership roles, with each institution having one representative. The group is chaired by Dr. Judy Bense, President, University of West Florida, with Dr. Mark B. Rosenberg, President, Florida International University, serving as Vice-Chair. The final report was released on November 7, 2012. Click the link below to download or view the report.
>> Facilities Task Force Final Report <<
Florida Virtual Campus Implementation
On July 1, 2012, pursuant to Chapter 134, Laws of Florida, the Florida Virtual Campus (FVC) will be created as the new organization to provide access to online student and library support services and to serve as a statewide resource and clearinghouse for public postsecondary education distance learning courses and degree programs.
Responsibilities of the Florida Distance Learning Consortium and FACTS.org (formerly FCAAS) are being transferred to the new organization, as are responsibilities of the Florida Center for Library Automation and the College Center for Library AutomationThe Florida Virtual Campus Implementation group.
BOG Commission on FL Higher Education Access and Degree Attainment
The Commission was created to focus on the issue of "capacity" and make recommendations regarding how to achieve optimal access and degree attainment for our State. In the course of doing its work, the Commission relied upon data to inform its recommendations and consider factors such as:
The commission met for the first time in June of 2012. They will continue to meet through late summer 2013. The next meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2012 in Tampa, FL
Higher Education Coordinating Council
This council has an ongoing mission to identify unmet needs and to facilitate solutions to disputes regarding the creation of new degree programs and the establishment of new institutes, campuses, or centers. Its purpose is to make recommendations to the Legislature, the State Board of Education, and the Board of Governors, State University System of Florida. The most recent meeting was held on November 13, 2012. For more information ont he Council, please click the link below.
>> Higher Education Coordinating Council Web Page <<
Governor and Legislature
Florida Government Efficiency Task Force: General Government Subcommittee, Health and Human Services Subcommittee and Education Subcommittee
The Task Force was created by Article III, section 19(i) of the Florida Constitution to develop recommendations for improving governmental operations and reducing costs. First established in 2007, the Task Force meets each fourth year and submits its recommendations to the chairperson and vice chairperson of the Legislative Budget Commission, the Governor, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
As enacted in Section 11.9005 of the Florida Statutes, the Task Force is composed of 15 members of the Legislature and representatives from the private and public sectors appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The task force completed its work in June 2012. The final report included a number of recommendations including several for higher education. Recommendations included topics from procurement to facility utilization. To view the final report, click the link below.
>> Florida Government Efficiency Task Force 2012 Final Report <<
Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform
This task force was created to focus on the State University System's governance model, particularly the interaction between the Board of Governors and the individual universities. It will also assess the progress of prior reform efforts and identify strategies to improve efficiencies and enhance the system's effectiveness as an economic catalyst.
The Task Force submitted its final report to the Governor on November 6, 2012. If you would like to view the report, click the link below.
>> Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform Final Report <<
State Board of Education
Task Force on Digital Learning: Quality Instruction, Infrastructure, Institutional Reform
This task force was created to develop a comprehensive plan to make certain that the state has the infrastructure, instructors and institutional reforms in place by the 2014-15 school year to ensure that Florida remains a national leader in digital learning. The task force produced a set of recommendations for the State Board of Education in May 2012. To view these recommendations, click the link below.
>> Digital Learning Recommendations from Task Force on Digital Learning <<