Florida’s Board of Governors has a serious problem with being open and holding itself to the same standards it preaches for the rest of the State University System.
The latest incident involves reports that BOG Chairwoman Sheila McDevitt has held behind-the-scenes talks with Florida State University about changing FAMU’s role in the joint College of Engineering.
"She is pushing the issue to still separate the school,” said Florida Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson in yesterday’s Tallahassee Democrat. “It’s a lot of secretive-type things going on right now.”
The latest incident involves reports that BOG Chairwoman Sheila McDevitt has held behind-the-scenes talks with Florida State University about changing FAMU’s role in the joint College of Engineering.
"She is pushing the issue to still separate the school,” said Florida Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson in yesterday’s Tallahassee Democrat. “It’s a lot of secretive-type things going on right now.”
When confronted, McDevitt responded with very vague language about her intentions.
“I’ve had all manners of meetings. That’s what we do — we talk with each other,” she said.
McDevitt’s failure to give straight-talk on this issue speaks volumes.
FAMU and FSU are equal partners in the joint E-College. That means the BOG should treat both schools equally. One university should not get to discuss or plan management structure changes with the BOG without its partner’s knowledge.
This matter appears to be part of a larger problem with below-board shenanigans on the part of the BOG.
The BOG was very loud in criticizing FAMU’s past financial issues in front of the press (even while making lame excuses for former Interim President Castell Bryant). But, the board was very quiet when state auditors found multi-million dollar problems in its own house. In October, auditors reported that the BOG did not fulfill all the required statutory obligations before it disbursed two grants totaling $23.25 million to the University of Florida.
The board’s FAMU task force, funded with $1 million in state funds, came under fire earlier this year from state senators who questioned whether the BOG had wasted the money.
Some lawmakers also raked Chancellor Mark Rosenberg over the coals for "requesting" money from public university foundations to pad his $231,750 salary and provide perks such as a car allowance.
Recently, media reports also revealed that the BOG's new “president-in-residence,” John Delaney of the University of North Florida, will have a role making funding recommendations for the State University System.
Recently, media reports also revealed that the BOG's new “president-in-residence,” John Delaney of the University of North Florida, will have a role making funding recommendations for the State University System.
That presents a potentially troubling issue. Every year, public universities compete against one another for funding and programs. Now, UNF’s president may get direct input into which project proposals from competing universities make it into the BOG’s system-wide legislative request.
The Florida Senate, which has done the best job of directing tough questions to the BOG, needs to hold hearings on these matters before the situation spins further out-of-control. It’s time for answers.
The Florida Senate, which has done the best job of directing tough questions to the BOG, needs to hold hearings on these matters before the situation spins further out-of-control. It’s time for answers.
I move to abolish the BOG as it exists and implement seats representative of the universities.
ReplyDeleteThey're not letting this thing go are they? We gotta keep pushing them on this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Big. Nice graphic choice, too. I had to print that for myself.
ReplyDeleteFascinating ... if true.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't think it is.
Sheila McDevitt needs to resign. She can't be trusted and I think she's a rogue racist of the worst kind.
ReplyDelete