Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to transfer the University of South Florida’s Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida would bring the school more dormitory space, offices and classrooms.
The proposed legislation would solve a lot of problems, like provide up to 50 more dorm beds, New College President Richard Corcoran said at a Wednesday trustees meeting.
But the plan isn’t a done deal yet.
“That’s going to go through the legislative process,” he said. “(DeSantis’) budget is a recommendation, but obviously he’s been a tremendous advocate for New College and what’s going on here. So we feel pretty good about that.”
A handful of public commenters with connections to USF were wary of the proposal, which would transfer all 32 acres of the Sarasota-Manatee campus’ property and facilities by July 1. Students and employees would not transition to New College.
New College would pay USF $166,617 per month until they take over all remaining facilities-related debt. They would have until Oct. 30, 2026 to do so.
DeSantis’ proposal specifies that USF students taking classes at the Sarasota-Manatee campus cannot be pushed out of classrooms until they’ve had a fair chance to graduate, no longer than four years from when they started at USF. If the bill is passed, no additional USF students will be able to enroll at the Sarasota-Manatee campus.
Earlier this year, the state legislature was “negotiating” a plan to merge the two campuses, but no plan was ever finalized.
New College’s campus of 700 students shares a residence hall and security with USF’s 2,000-student Sarasota-Manatee campus, USF spokesperson Althea Johnson told the Times in March.
Laurey Stryker, the former USF Sarasota-Manatee campus president, said she supports New College’s goals to grow enrollment and add a sports field.
“But you are asking our employers and community to sacrifice the campus that offers 40 accredited undergraduate programs,” she said. “And this is a trade that is too costly for our community.”
Scott Perry, the USF faculty senate vice president, said in public comment that he has been teaching on the Sarasota-Manatee campus for 18 years. He said it’s outrageous to transfer the “property, facilities and prestige” of USF’s campus to New College.
“This is a policy matter that is going to be discussed, debated and worked through over the coming months of the legislative session,” USF board chair Will Weatherford said at a ttrustees meeting last week. “We don’t control the outcome of that discussion.”