May 7, 2012

(Received May 7, 2012)

Tallahassee, Fla.—With the executive charge to accelerate reform of the State

University System, Governor Rick Scott today created the Blue Ribbon Task Force on

State Higher Education Reform.

“The state has a vested interest in ensuring its higher education system produces worldclass

talent to serve as engaged citizens and meet the demands of Florida’s emerging

knowledge-based economy,” said Governor Scott. “It’s time to assess the progress of

prior reform efforts and identify strategies to improve efficiencies and enhance the

system’s effectiveness as an economic catalyst.”

The creation of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform follows

the Governor’s recent collaboration with the Florida Legislature to expand funding for

education by $1 billion. The focus on higher education reflects the Scott Administration’s

emphasis on expanding Florida’s competitive advantages needed to grow the economy

and create jobs.

Governor Scott’s executive order outlined expectations that the Blue Ribbon Task Force

will focus on the State University System’s governance model, particularly the

interaction between the Board of Governors and the individual universities. Final

recommendations are to be delivered by October 31.

Governor Scott announced the Blue Ribbon Task Force’s chair, Dr. Dale A. Brill, will be

joined by six members, two selected by the Senate President Mike Haridopolos and

Senate President Designate Don Gaetz, two selected by House Speaker Dean Cannon

and Speaker Designate Will Weatherford and two selected by the Chairman and Vice

Chairman of the Board of Governors, Dean Colson and Mori Hosseini.

Dr. Brill currently serves as the president of the Florida Chamber Foundation and is a

former full-time member of Florida State University’s faculty and previously served as

the Director of the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.

“Dr. Brill’s background combines knowledge of higher education and its role as a

catalyst for economic development,” said Governor Scott. “He is a proven consensus

builder who will drive the strategic thinking necessary to make a comprehensive

assessment and action-oriented recommendations.”

Progress of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform can be

monitored on the web at www.FLHigherEd.org and www.facebook.com/FLHigherEd, as

well as Twitter feeds available by following @FLHigherEd.