Tuition differential to become a reality

[Drewski]

I know this is off topic, however this did garner discussion on this main board in the recent past. I felt that this update was important and newsworthy:

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20070627/MISC/70627015/-1/news

Crist allows three universities to raise tuition in 2008

By JOE FOLLICK and JACK STRIPLING

Sun staff writers

June 27. 2007 10:55AM

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In a complete reversal of his prior position, Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday that he will allow the University of Florida and two other universities to incrementally raise tuition by up to 40 percent over several years.

Crist, who previously described the bill as "doomed," now says he'll allow it to go into law without his signature. In so doing, the bill would become law but Crist would still stop short of giving it his full endorsement.

The bill would only apply to UF, the University of South Florida and Florida State University. Crist says he'll allow it to become law with the caveat that the universities not implement the increases until 2008, instead of this fall as the bill had suggested.

Crist recently vetoed a 5 percent tuition increase for the entire State University System, and he has said throughout his short tenure as governor that he didn't favor any tuition hikes.

For more on this story, see Thursday's Gainesville Sun.

[Jamie]

This needs to happen but it's going to be extremely awkward for the students who are already enrolled. SG is probably in an apoplexy over the news.

[Guest]

Jamie - The bill specifically excludes anyone enrolled at USF on or before July 1.  It also excludes anyone on a "Florida pre-paid" program.

Also, USF has said they will not implement the tuition until 2008.

[SRQ]

Can you say "Big 3"?

[SeaBull]

What does this mean to us besides the obvious cash in USF's pocket?

Will this help out with our AAU quest?

Expedite becoming top tier?

I imagine that this will provide USF with the resources to hire top research professor's and educator's (two different things). With that, our research grants will shoot through the roof and our class quality will go up too. It will also effect our student:faculty ratio in a positive way. I'm sure that the AD will get a chunk of that money as well as SG so expect those to improve, and some of these funds will go towards campus beautification. Although this is great for our University, these changes will probably take 3-4 years for these upgrades to be apparent.

This is just speculation on my part...anyone have any facts?

What's best about this??? I don't have to pay more!!!!!

[ProudBull]

Great I like our school being part of the elite, but what is the point of this?  What is it going to do to help our school beside bring in a little more money?

[crambone]

What about an OCS?

[DontPushMe]

Jamie - The bill specifically excludes anyone enrolled at USF on or before July 1.  It also excludes anyone on a "Florida pre-paid" program.

Also, USF has said they will not implement the tuition until 2008.

Where did you hear about the July 1 thing? Hope thats true, this stuff is expensive enough already.

[Belle of the Bull]

i almost cried when I read this. Such good news.

[Belle of the Bull]

What about an OCS?

we need to pay our professors first and accomplish goals outlined in the 2007 strategic plan.

http://www.ods.usf.edu/plans/strategic/docs/USF%20Strategic%20Plan%2020072012%20v15.pdf

when we get this stuff done (and not done half-A$$ like those duplexes they call a greek park) --- but done well - then maybe we can talk about an OCS.

a university is primarily in place to educate students.  Not that a lot of learning isn't done outside the classroom -but we need to put more $$$ into academic education that takes place in side the classroom not on the field.  UF kicked our A$$ in rankings this year. We have strong programs - a lot stronger than UF in some cases-- BUT we just need the support of our alumni, the university admin, and the legislature to put money iin the right places so that we can really shine. That will happen if:

1) our kids get a good education and make $$$ so that they can give back

2) admin has enough money to accomplish their goals. contrary to popular belief- on most occasions - they know what they are doing. they just need the funding to go and do it.

An OCS will come. Right now I am more worried about academic issues.