01/22/2015

HIGHLIGHTS: Board of Governors’ Meeting, Jan. 21-22

Exciting new proposals from Florida Governor Rick Scott, a conversation with SUS Chancellor Marshall Criser III on higher education affordability and a newly approved 2013-2014 Accountability Report are among the highlights of the January Board meeting at the University of North Florida.

JACKSONVILLE–Joinedby Governor Rick Scott, the Board of Governors on Thursday took several steps to make higher education more accountable, affordable and responsive to the demands of the workforce.

That was accomplished through several initiatives, including the unveiling of the Board of Governors’ 2013-2014 Accountability Report, which tracks university progress toward the long-term goals outlined in the Board’s2025 Strategic Plan.Among other achievements, Florida ranked second nationally in the number of students who enrolled in at least one distance learning course, and the number of undergraduate STEM degrees has grown 37 percent in the last five years--outpacing the 14 percent growth in non-STEM disciplines.

“The Board of Governors’ Accountability Report validates what we already know: Florida universities are on a positive trajectory in key measures, from graduation rates and online enrollments to post-graduation success,” said Board of Governors’ Chair Mori Hosseini. “We must build on our successes and continue to push forward.”

Further demonstrating the State University System’s commitment to accountability, the Board approved Improvement Plans for Florida Atlantic University, New College of Florida and the University of West Florida, all of which implemented new measures--from hiring additional career counselors to revamping career centers--to improve outcomes on key metrics in the Board’s performance-based funding model.

The Board’sperformance fundingmodel provides the incentives and resources for universities to improve on key metrics from graduation and retention rates to post-graduation success. Universities that don’t meet a minimum threshold of performance must successfully implement an improvement plan to avoid losing a portion of their base funds.

“Performance funding is an important piece of higher education funding in Florida, which is why it makes sense for our universities to invest strategically and demonstrate excellence and improvement,” said Senate President Andy Gardiner. “It’s clear that universities are rising to the challenge and implementing key changes that will pay off for Florida far into the future.”

"Incentive-based funding for our universities helps move ustoward better outcomes for our students,” said Steve Crisafulli, Florida’s House Speaker. “Their success in the workforce is the key predictor of our success as a state.”

Other highlights include:

• Chair Mori Hosseini delivered his State of the System address, available here.


• Chancellor Marshall Criser III held a discussion on university affordability.


• The Board’s general counsel provided an update from the State University System Title IX Workshop conducted Nov. 18, 2014.


• Four projects funded with $15 million in grants, known as TEAm Grants, are performing better than expected, according to an update delivered to the Board. The grants were allocated by the Governor and Legislature to close gaps inthe high-demand occupations employers seek to fill in Florida.


• The Board approved its 2015-2016 Legislative Budget Request, which includes a “shared services” initiative designed to use the full clout of the State University System to ramp up negotiating power on private purchases, from computers to car rentals. The proposal pends approval from the Governor and Legislature.

For more information, consult the meeting’s official minutes at http://www.flbog.edu/. The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for February 19 at Tallahassee Community College.

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Facts about the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors

The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The system has 12 universities and more than 335,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the system’s coordination and operation. The Board appoints a Chancellor who serves as the system’s chief executive. For more, visit www.flbog.eduor follow us on Facebookand Twitter.