The Sarasota-Manatee region may soon witness a significant shift in its higher education landscape. A state budget proposal aims to transfer the University of South Florida (USF) Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida, a move that has been supported by Governor Ron DeSantis for the past two years. If approved, this change would take effect in July.
Impact on Students and Faculty
The proposed transfer involves dissolving the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus and transferring its 32-acre property, including new student housing and laboratory facilities, to New College by October 30. Students currently enrolled at USF Sarasota-Manatee before July 1 will receive priority access to classroom space and can continue as USF students through a teach-out process lasting up to four years. After this period, USF academic programs on the campus will be phased out.
USF Sarasota-Manatee currently serves over 2,000 students, while New College enrolls approximately 900 students. The transition raises concerns about the future of academic programs, employment, and campus operations for students, faculty, and staff.
Financial and Programmatic Concerns
Dr. Anila Jain, Vice Chair of the USF Sarasota-Manatee Board, expressed concerns about the financial obligations tied to the transfer. She highlighted a monthly debt payment of approximately $166,000 that New College would assume. “They’re also financially constrained right now,” Jain noted, questioning the potential repercussions if New College cannot meet these obligations.
Jain also raised questions about the future of specialized programs currently offered at USF Sarasota-Manatee, such as nursing, hospitality, and accounting, which are not available at New College. “It’s a top-notch education with great faculty that are renowned all over the world,” she said.
Bill Mariotti, a USF Sarasota-Manatee board member and the campus’s largest donor, expressed concerns about the impact on students, employees, and the broader community. Former Regional Chancellor Dr. Karen Holbrook described the proposal as “extremely sad,” emphasizing the campus’s important role in the region.
Next Steps
The proposal is part of the state budget agreement but is not yet final. Governor DeSantis must sign the budget for the transfer to proceed. As the community awaits the final decision, the future of higher education in the Sarasota-Manatee area remains uncertain.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
