February 10, 2010. United effort necessary from students, faculty, parents, and other higher ed supporters to convince FL legislators.

Dear FSU Colleagues,

The Florida Board of Governors (BOG) has proposed a substantial boost in higher education funding.  Unsurprising as this may seem, it marks substantial progress as compared to last year.  It reflects a widespread and growing perception that Florida’s economic difficulties will have to be solved by supporting economic development that is not focused so heavily on tourism, agriculture, and population growth.  The BOG’s summary report is available at:
http://www.uff-fsu.org/art/NewFloridaFinal20100129.pdf

Chancellor Frank Brogan’s op-ed on the proposal from yesterday’s Tallahassee Democrat is available at:
http://www.uff-fsu.org/art/tdoped20100208.pdf

As Faculty Senate President Eric Walker noted in making the report available last week, the prospects for bringing about the change in legislator attitudes needed to provide New Florida investment funding will depend on a united effort by students, faculty, parents, and other supporters of public higher education.  The first online comment posted on Brogan’s op-ed, appended to Brogan’s op-ed at the link just above, underscores that point in its ill-informed and derisive comments on faculty and research.  The unfortunate reality is that some of our legislators have similar views.  A focused, sustained, and united educational effort will be required.

Please plan to be part of it.  More information on this educational effort will be forthcoming later.  For now, you can help to build a strong united voice for faculty by joining the UFF.

Best regards,

Jack Fiorito, President
UFF-FSU Chapter