Florida Senate - 2009                                    SB 1016
       
       
       
       By Senator Ring
       
       
       
       
       32-01268-09                                           20091016__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to public postsecondary education;
    3         creating a study committee to investigate the
    4         feasibility of, and the process for, establishing a
    5         research university; providing for the appointment of
    6         study committee members; specifying responsibilities
    7         and requiring presentation of findings and
    8         recommendations; providing for termination; providing
    9         an appropriation; providing an effective date.
   10         
   11  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   12         
   13         Section 1. (1) There is created a study committee to
   14  investigate the feasibility of, and the process for,
   15  establishing a new university in the State University System
   16  with a strong emphasis on advanced scientific and technological
   17  research. Initially, the university shall offer postgraduate
   18  studies and attract only the most academically gifted students.
   19         (2) The study committee shall be composed of the following
   20  members:
   21         (a) Four members of the Board of Governors of the State
   22  University System appointed by the Governor.
   23         (b) Two individuals with expertise in scientific and
   24  technological research appointed by the Governor.
   25         (c) Two individuals with expertise in educational finance,
   26  one each appointed by the President of the Senate and the
   27  Speaker of the House of Representatives.
   28         (3) The responsibilities of the study committee include,
   29  but are not limited to, the responsibility to:
   30         (a) Study and make visitations to some of the nation's top
   31  ranked research universities, such as the Georgia Institute of
   32  Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the
   33  California Institute of Technology, to determine how the
   34  missions of such institutions are accomplished.
   35         (b) Develop a plan and process for establishing a new
   36  university in the State University System that:
   37         1. Is committed to educating future leaders in science and
   38  technology, initially at the postgraduate level.
   39         2. Integrates research with education with a focus on
   40  producing innovation that will benefit society, help drive
   41  economic growth, and improve human life on a global scale.
   42         3. Investigates and addresses the challenges in science and
   43  technology in an interdisciplinary approach.
   44         4. Attracts students with high academic qualifications and
   45  capabilities.
   46         (c) Develop a cost analysis and financial strategy for
   47  establishing a leading research university.
   48         (d) Establish criteria for naming opportunities for the
   49  solicitation of private donors.
   50         (4) The study committee shall present findings and
   51  recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate,
   52  the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Board of
   53  Governors of the State University System by January 31, 2010,
   54  and shall terminate after such presentation.
   55         Section 2. The sum of $100,000 is appropriated from the
   56  General Revenue Fund to the Board of Governors of the State
   57  University System for fiscal year 2009-2010 to implement the
   58  provisions of this act.
   59         Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.