Senate Bill sb0986e1
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1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to postsecondary education;
3 amending s. 240.3836, F.S.; providing
4 legislative intent; providing a process for
5 authorizing community colleges to offer
6 baccalaureate degree programs; amending s.
7 240.527, F.S.; requiring a Campus Board of the
8 University of South Florida St. Petersburg;
9 requiring separate accreditation; providing
10 powers and duties of the Campus Board and the
11 Campus Executive Officer; providing a procedure
12 for preparing a budget request; providing for
13 central support services contracts and a letter
14 of agreement; excluding certain entities from
15 certain provisions; amending s. 240.2011, F.S.;
16 adding to the State University System the New
17 College in Sarasota; creating fiscally
18 autonomous campuses of the University of South
19 Florida; requiring a Campus Board of the
20 University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee;
21 authorizing separate accreditation; providing
22 powers and duties of the Campus Board and the
23 Campus Executive Officer; providing a procedure
24 for preparing a budget request; providing for
25 central-support-services contracts and a letter
26 of agreement; establishing a mission, goals,
27 and board of trustees for New College of
28 Florida; providing Legislative intent;
29 redesignating St. Petersburg Junior College as
30 "St. Petersburg College"; requiring
31 accreditation; providing a mission; providing
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1 for students and fees; providing conditional
2 authority to offer baccalaureate-degree-level
3 programs; authorizing certain
4 baccalaureate-degree programs and a process for
5 increasing their number; establishing a
6 governing board and a coordinating board;
7 providing for dispute resolution; providing for
8 certain employment classifications; providing
9 for the acquisition of land, buildings, and
10 equipment; authorizing the power of eminent
11 domain; providing for state funding; requiring
12 a cost-accounting process; providing an
13 effective date.
14
15 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
16
17 Section 1. Section 240.3836, Florida Statutes, is
18 amended to read:
19 240.3836 Site-determined baccalaureate degree access
20 program; funding.--
21 (1) The Legislature recognizes that public and private
22 postsecondary education institutions play essential roles in
23 improving the quality of life and economic well-being of the
24 state and its residents. The Legislature also recognizes that
25 economic development needs and the educational needs of
26 place-bound, nontraditional students have increased the demand
27 for local access to baccalaureate degree programs. In some,
28 but not all, geographic regions, baccalaureate degree programs
29 are being delivered successfully at the local community
30 college through agreements between the community college and
31 4-year postsecondary institutions within or outside of the
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1 state. It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to
2 further expand access to baccalaureate degree programs through
3 the use of community colleges apply this concept in the
4 creation and funding of a program that supports local economic
5 development and responds to public demand for increased access
6 to baccalaureate degrees in areas of the state that are
7 underserved by 4-year institutions.
8 (2) A community college may be authorized by the State
9 Board of Education to offer a limited number of baccalaureate
10 degrees designed to meet local workforce needs through one of
11 the following processes:
12 (a) A community college may enter into a formal
13 agreement with the state university in its service area for
14 the community college to deliver specified baccalaureate
15 degree programs. The agreement must be submitted to the State
16 Board of Education for approval. The college's proposal must
17 include the following information:
18 1. Demand for the baccalaureate degree program is
19 identified by the workforce development board, local
20 businesses and industry, local chambers of commerce, and
21 potential students.
22 2. Unmet need for graduates of the proposed degree
23 program is substantiated.
24 3. The community college has the facilities and
25 academic resources to deliver the program.
26
27 The proposal must be submitted to the Postsecondary Education
28 Planning Commission for review and comment. Upon approval of
29 the State Board of Education for the specific degree program
30 or programs, the college shall pursue regional accreditation
31 by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of
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1 Colleges and Schools. Any additional baccalaureate degree
2 programs the college wishes to offer must be approved by the
3 State Board of Education.
4 (b) A community college may develop a proposal to
5 deliver specified baccalaureate degree programs in its
6 district. The proposal must be submitted to the State Board of
7 Education for approval. The college's proposal must include
8 the following information:
9 1. Demand for the baccalaureate degree program is
10 identified by the workforce development board, local
11 businesses and industry, local chambers of commerce, and
12 potential students.
13 2. Unmet need for graduates of the proposed degree
14 program is substantiated.
15 3. The community college has the facilities and
16 academic resources to deliver the program.
17
18 The proposal must be submitted to the Postsecondary Education
19 Planning Commission for review and comment. Upon approval of
20 the State Board of Education for the specific degree program
21 or programs, the college shall pursue regional accreditation
22 by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of
23 Colleges and Schools. Any additional baccalaureate degree
24 programs the college wishes to offer must be approved by the
25 State Board of Education.
26 (3) A community college may not terminate its
27 Associate-in-Arts or Associate-in-Science degree programs as a
28 result of the authorization provided in subsection (2). The
29 Legislature intends that the primary mission of a community
30 college, including a college that offers baccalaureate-degree
31
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1 programs, continues to be the provision of associate degrees
2 that provide access to a university.
3 (2) Categorical funding is authorized for the
4 site-determined baccalaureate degree access program created by
5 this section. Funds may not be used to support the
6 construction, renovation, or remodeling of facilities. This
7 program is voluntary and does not preclude other mutually
8 agreed upon arrangements between community colleges and 4-year
9 institutions for the delivery of baccalaureate degrees on
10 community college sites.
11 (3) Each community college wishing to participate in
12 the site-determined baccalaureate degree access program must:
13 (a) Identify baccalaureate degree programs that are
14 not currently offered at the community college but are
15 proposed for delivery at the college to meet the academic and
16 economic development needs of one or more communities within
17 the college's service area. When assessing local needs, the
18 college should seek input from the appropriate chamber of
19 commerce, workforce development council, and other civic and
20 business groups. As used in this section, the term "economic
21 development" means entrepreneurial efforts, the attraction of
22 new business and industry to the area, and the expansion of
23 existing business and industry.
24 (b) Determine the number of students interested in
25 pursuing each proposed baccalaureate degree program and
26 identify the enrollment patterns, any special characteristics
27 of those students, and any unique combination or modification
28 of course offerings that may be necessary to meet student
29 enrollment needs.
30 (c) Submit a proposal to the Postsecondary Education
31 Planning Commission requesting validation of the need for the
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1 proposed baccalaureate degree program and tentative approval
2 for program funding. The proposal must include:
3 1. A description of each proposed baccalaureate degree
4 program identifying the junior-level and senior-level courses
5 to be offered and designating whether the program should be
6 offered for a cohort group or as an ongoing degree program.
7 2. Evidence that local occupational forecasts support
8 the existence of jobs for graduates of the proposed
9 baccalaureate degree programs.
10 3. An estimated number of students to be served by
11 each proposed degree program.
12 4. An assurance that the community college's existing
13 facilities are sufficient to meet the additional demands for
14 classroom and laboratory space for the proposed degree
15 programs.
16 5. Evidence that the college has requested the
17 participation of no fewer than three regionally accredited
18 4-year postsecondary institutions, including at least one
19 member of the State University System. Any member of the
20 State University System and any independent, regionally
21 accredited, 4-year institution that is chartered in, and has
22 its primary campus located in, Florida may be a partner in a
23 site-determined baccalaureate degree access program at any
24 community college.
25 6. A tentative agreement between the community college
26 and the 4-year postsecondary institution selected to offer the
27 upper-level courses leading to the proposed degree or degrees.
28 7. Any additional provisions that the Postsecondary
29 Education Planning Commission considers pertinent to the
30 proposal.
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1 (4) The Postsecondary Education Planning Commission,
2 after soliciting comments from the Board of Regents and the
3 State Board of Community Colleges, shall validate the need for
4 each baccalaureate degree program proposed for delivery
5 according to this section and shall notify the community
6 college that its proposal has been approved or rejected. The
7 commission shall establish procedures for the timely
8 submission, review, and approval of the proposals and
9 agreements required by this section. These procedures must be
10 designed to allow the initiation of approved baccalaureate
11 degree programs at least 3 times each fiscal year.
12 (5) Once the Postsecondary Education Planning
13 Commission validates the need for the proposed baccalaureate
14 degree program and notifies the community college that its
15 proposal has been approved, the community college shall
16 finalize an agreement with the regionally accredited, public
17 or nonpublic, 4-year postsecondary institution selected to
18 provide the upper-level instructional services in the approved
19 baccalaureate degree program. The commission shall identify
20 the common aspects that each agreement must address,
21 including, but not limited to:
22 (a) A course delivery pattern based on the student
23 enrollment patterns and characteristics included in the
24 approved proposal.
25 (b) An articulation provision that guarantees
26 acceptance of students who hold an associate in arts or
27 associate in science degree and satisfy any other
28 prerequisites for admission to the specific baccalaureate
29 degree program.
30 (c) The provision of library services and student
31 support services.
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1 (d) An agreement that the participating 4-year
2 postsecondary institution will continue offering instructional
3 services at least until all qualified members of the initial
4 group of students have had an opportunity to complete the
5 degree program.
6 (e) The specific and measurable performance criteria
7 that the Postsecondary Education Planning Commission may use
8 to evaluate the outcomes and outputs of the baccalaureate
9 degree program within an identified timeframe.
10 (f) An agreement that in-state student tuition for the
11 degree program will not exceed the matriculation fee for the
12 State University System unless the proposal approved by the
13 Postsecondary Education Planning Commission allows the
14 participating institutions to charge differentiated tuition
15 and fees to encourage student attendance and participation.
16 Out-of-state students shall pay full costs. Notwithstanding
17 s. 240.605, students participating in a site-determined
18 baccalaureate degree program may not receive a Florida
19 Resident Access Grant.
20 (6) Each participating community college must submit
21 the agreement required by this section to the Postsecondary
22 Education Planning Commission for review and final approval
23 before initiating an approved site-determined baccalaureate
24 degree access program. Subject to the availability of
25 legislative appropriations specifically provided for this
26 purpose, the Postsecondary Education Planning Commission must
27 recommend to the Commissioner of Education the total funds to
28 be released to each participating community college for the
29 initiation of the approved site-determined baccalaureate
30 degree access program. The community college shall distribute
31 funds to the participating 4-year postsecondary institution at
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1 the rate specified in the approved agreement. The
2 Postsecondary Education Planning Commission shall not
3 recommend the release of funding for any program that is
4 terminated before or after the evaluation required by this
5 section. The total funds to be released for the initiation of
6 an approved program shall be based on the number of fundable
7 upper-level student credit hours for each term. Unless
8 otherwise provided in an appropriations act, the funding per
9 credit hour shall be an amount equal to the state funds,
10 excluding student fees, appropriated to the State University
11 System for each full-time equivalent student enrolled in
12 upper-level course work. Student credit hours funded under
13 this program may not be duplicated in any other calculation of
14 state funding for the 4-year institution.
15 (7) The Postsecondary Education Planning Commission
16 may require the participating community colleges and 4-year
17 postsecondary institutions to submit information necessary to
18 monitor the annual performance of the program. Within 90 days
19 after the 2nd and 4th year of the site-determined
20 baccalaureate degree access program, the commission shall
21 submit to the chairs of the education and fiscal committees of
22 the Legislature a progress report, including an evaluation of
23 the funding mechanism created by this section. The commission
24 shall review each site-determined baccalaureate degree access
25 program funded under this section to ascertain whether the
26 performance measures specified in the agreement between the
27 participating community college and the 4-year institution
28 have been met. Each program must be reviewed 4 years after
29 initiation unless a shorter timeframe is specified in the
30 agreement. The performance measures must include the student
31 graduation rate, the employment rate of program graduates both
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1 within and outside the community college service area, the
2 continuing need to offer the specific baccalaureate degree
3 program in the community college service area, and such other
4 information as the Postsecondary Education Planning Commission
5 may determine necessary for program and performance
6 evaluation. Based on its evaluation, the commission shall
7 either approve continuation of the program, require
8 modifications prior to program approval, or recommend that the
9 participating institutions terminate the program after all
10 qualified members of the initial group of students have an
11 opportunity to complete the degree program. The commission
12 must submit to the Commissioner of Education for inclusion in
13 the legislative budget a request for funding for approved
14 site-determined baccalaureate degree access programs.
15 (8) If no accredited 4-year institution is willing to
16 provide a baccalaureate degree program approved by the
17 Postsecondary Education Planning Commission under this
18 section, the community college board of trustees may ask the
19 commission to evaluate the college's request to offer the
20 degree program. If the commission is satisfied that the
21 community college should offer the degree program, it shall
22 recommend to the Legislature the enactment of statutory
23 authority for the community college to offer that specific
24 baccalaureate degree program.
25 Section 2. Effective July 1, 2001, subsection (5) of
26 section 240.2011, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection
27 (12) is added to that section, to read:
28 240.2011 State University System defined.--The State
29 University System shall consist of the following:
30 (5) The University of South Florida, with a main
31 campus located in Hillsborough County and two fiscally
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1 autonomous campuses, one in Pinellas County, named the
2 University of South Florida St. Petersburg, and the other
3 named the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee.
4 (12) New College of Florida, located in Sarasota
5 County, which is the 4-year residential liberal arts honors
6 college of the state of Florida.
7 Section 3. Section 240.527, Florida Statutes, is
8 amended to read:
9 (Substantial rewording of section. See
10 s. 240.527, F.S., for present text.)
11 240.527 The University of South Florida St.
12 Petersburg.--
13 (1) The St. Petersburg campus of the University of
14 South Florida is established and shall be known as the
15 "University of South Florida St. Petersburg."
16 (a) The Legislature intends that the University of
17 South Florida St. Petersburg be operated and maintained as a
18 separate organizational and budget entity of the University of
19 South Florida, and that all legislative appropriations for the
20 University of South Florida St. Petersburg be set forth as
21 separate line items in the annual General Appropriations Act.
22 (b) The University of South Florida St. Petersburg
23 shall have a Campus Board and a Campus Executive Officer.
24 (c) As soon as possible, but no later than the
25 effective date of this act, the President of the University of
26 South Florida shall begin the process of application to the
27 Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges
28 and Schools for separate accreditation of the University of
29 South Florida St. Petersburg. If the application is not
30 approved or is provisionally approved, the University of South
31
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1 Florida shall correct any identified deficiencies and shall
2 continue to work for accreditation.
3 (2) The Board of Trustees of the University of South
4 Florida shall appoint to the Campus Board, from
5 recommendations of the President of the University of South
6 Florida, five residents of Pinellas County. If a resident of
7 Pinellas County is appointed to the Board of Trustees of the
8 University of South Florida, the board shall appoint that
9 member to serve jointly as a member of the Campus Board. If
10 more than one Pinellas County resident is appointed to the
11 Board of Trustees, the board shall select one joint member.
12 The Board of Trustees may reappoint a member to the Campus
13 Board for one additional term. The Campus Board has the powers
14 and duties provided by law, which include the authority to:
15 (a) Review and approve an annual legislative budget
16 request to be submitted to the Commissioner of Education. The
17 Campus Executive Officer shall prepare the legislative budget
18 request in accordance with guidelines established by the
19 Florida Board of Education. This request must include items
20 for campus operations and fixed capital outlay.
21 (b) Approve and submit an annual operating plan and
22 budget for review and consultation by the Board of Trustees of
23 the University of South Florida. The campus operating budget
24 must reflect the actual funding available to that campus from
25 separate line-item appropriations contained in each annual
26 General Appropriations Act, which line-item appropriations
27 must initially reflect the funds reported to the Florida
28 Legislature for the University of South Florida St. Petersburg
29 Campus for fiscal year 2000-2001 and any additional funds
30 provided in the fiscal year 2001-2002 legislative
31 appropriation.
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1 (c) Enter into central support services contracts with
2 the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida for
3 any services that the St. Petersburg campus cannot provide
4 more economically, including payroll processing, accounting,
5 technology, construction administration, and other desired
6 services. However, all legal services for the campus must be
7 provided by a central services contract with the university.
8 The Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida and
9 the Campus Board shall determine in a letter of agreement any
10 allocation or sharing of student fee revenue between the
11 University of South Florida's main campus and the St.
12 Petersburg campus.
13
14 The Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida may
15 lawfully delegate other powers and duties to the Campus Board
16 for the efficient operation and improvement of the campus and
17 for the purpose of vesting in the campus the attributes
18 necessary to meet the requirements for separate accreditation
19 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
20 (3) The University of South Florida St. Petersburg
21 shall be administered by a Campus Executive Officer who shall
22 be appointed by, report directly to, and serve at the pleasure
23 of the President of the University of South Florida. The
24 President shall consult with the Campus Board before hiring or
25 terminating the Campus Executive Officer. The Campus Executive
26 Officer has authority and responsibility as provided in law,
27 including the authority to:
28 (a) Administer campus operations within the annual
29 operating budget as approved by the Campus Board.
30
31
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1 (b) Recommend to the Campus Board an annual
2 legislative budget request that includes funding for campus
3 operations and fixed capital outlay.
4 (c) Recommend to the Campus Board an annual campus
5 operating budget.
6 (d) Recommend to the Campus Board appropriate services
7 and terms and conditions to be included in annual central
8 support services contracts.
9 (e) Carry out any additional responsibilities assigned
10 or delegated by the President of the University of South
11 Florida for the efficient operation and improvement of the
12 campus, especially any authority necessary for the purpose of
13 vesting in the campus attributes necessary to meet the
14 requirements for separate accreditation.
15 (4) Students enrolled at the University of South
16 Florida, including those enrolled at a branch campus, have the
17 same rights and obligations as provided by law, policy, or
18 rule adopted by the University of South Florida, the Florida
19 Department of Education, or other lawful entity. The
20 University of South Florida shall provide a comprehensive and
21 coordinated system of student registration so that a student
22 enrolled at any campus of the University of South Florida has
23 the ability to register for courses at any other campus of the
24 University of South Florida.
25 (5) The following entities are not affected by this
26 section and remain under the administrative control of the
27 University of South Florida:
28 (a) The University of South Florida College of Marine
29 Science, which is a component college of the main campus.
30 (b) The Florida Institute of Oceanography, which is a
31 Type One Institute.
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1 (c) The University of South Florida Pediatric Research
2 Center.
3 (d) The University of South Florida/USGS joint
4 facility.
5 Section 4. The University of South Florida
6 Sarasota/Manatee.--
7 (1) The Sarasota/Manatee campus of the University of
8 South Florida is established and shall be known as the
9 "University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee."
10 (a) The Legislature intends that the University of
11 South Florida Sarasota/Manatee be operated and maintained as a
12 separate organizational and budget entity of the University of
13 South Florida and that all legislative appropriations for the
14 University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee be set forth as
15 separate line items in the annual General Appropriations Act.
16 (b) The University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee
17 shall have a Campus Board and a Campus Executive Officer.
18 (c) As soon as possible, but no later than July 1,
19 2002, the President of the University of South Florida shall
20 begin the process of application to the Commission on Colleges
21 of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for
22 separate accreditation of the University of South Florida
23 Sarasota/Manatee. If the application is not approved or is
24 provisionally approved, the University of South Florida shall
25 correct any identified deficiencies and shall continue to work
26 for accreditation.
27 (2) The Board of Trustees of the University of South
28 Florida shall appoint to the Campus Board, from
29 recommendations of the President of the University of South
30 Florida, three residents of Manatee County and two residents
31 of Sarasota County, to serve 4-year staggered terms. If one or
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1 more residents of Sarasota County or Manatee County is
2 appointed to the Board of Trustees of the University of South
3 Florida, the board shall, at the next vacancy of the campus
4 board, appoint one of those members to serve jointly as a
5 member of the Campus Board. The Board of Trustees may
6 reappoint a member to the Campus Board for one additional
7 term. The Campus Board has the powers and duties provided by
8 law, which include the authority to:
9 (a) Review and approve an annual legislative budget
10 request to be submitted to the Commissioner of Education. The
11 Campus Executive Officer shall prepare the legislative budget
12 request in accordance with guidelines established by the
13 Florida Board of Education. This request must include items
14 for campus operations and fixed capital outlay.
15 (b) Approve and submit an annual operating plan and
16 budget for review and consultation by the Board of Trustees of
17 the University of South Florida. The campus operating budget
18 must reflect the actual funding available to that campus from
19 separate line-item appropriations contained in each annual
20 General Appropriations Act, which line-item appropriations
21 must initially reflect the funds reported to the Florida
22 Legislature for the University of South Florida
23 Sarasota/Manatee Campus for fiscal year 2000-2001 and any
24 additional funds provided in the fiscal year 2001-2002
25 legislative appropriation.
26 (c) Enter into central support services contracts with
27 the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida for
28 any services that the campus at Sarasota/Manatee cannot
29 provide more economically, including payroll processing,
30 accounting, technology, construction administration, and other
31 desired services. However, all legal services for the campus
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1 must be provided by a central services contract with the
2 university. The Board of Trustees of the University of South
3 Florida and the Campus Board shall determine in a letter of
4 agreement any allocation or sharing of student fee revenue
5 between the University of South Florida's main campus and the
6 Sarasota/Manatee campus.
7
8 The Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida may
9 lawfully delegate other powers and duties to the Campus Board
10 for the efficient operation and improvement of the campus and
11 for the purpose of vesting in the campus the attributes
12 necessary to meet the requirements for separate accreditation
13 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
14 (3) The University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee
15 shall be administered by a Campus Executive Officer who shall
16 be appointed by, report directly to, and serve at the pleasure
17 of the President of the University of South Florida. The
18 President shall consult with the Campus Board before hiring or
19 terminating the Campus Executive Officer. The Campus Executive
20 Officer has authority and responsibility as provided in law,
21 including the authority to:
22 (a) Administer campus operations within the annual
23 operating budget as approved by the Campus Board.
24 (b) Recommend to the Campus Board an annual
25 legislative budget request that includes funding for campus
26 operations and fixed capital outlay.
27 (c) Recommend to the Campus Board an annual campus
28 operating budget.
29 (d) Recommend to the Campus Board appropriate services
30 and terms and conditions to be included in annual central
31 support services contracts.
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1 (e) Carry out any additional responsibilities assigned
2 or delegated by the President of the University of South
3 Florida for the efficient operation and improvement of the
4 campus, especially any authority necessary for the purpose of
5 vesting in the campus attributes necessary to meet the
6 requirements for separate accreditation.
7 (4) Students enrolled at the University of South
8 Florida, including those enrolled at a branch campus, have the
9 same rights and obligations as provided by law, policy, or
10 rule adopted by the University of South Florida, the Florida
11 Department of Education, or other lawful entity. The
12 University of South Florida shall provide a comprehensive and
13 coordinated system of student registration so that a student
14 enrolled at any campus of the University of South Florida has
15 the ability to register for courses at any other campus of the
16 University of South Florida.
17 (5) Promote technology transfer between the research
18 operations of the University of South Florida and local
19 economic development agencies.
20 Section 5. New College of Florida.--
21 (1) Mission and goals.--As a member of the State
22 University System of Florida, New College of Florida preserves
23 its distinctive mission as a residential liberal arts honors
24 college. To maintain this mission, New College of Florida has
25 the following goals:
26 (a) To provide a quality education to students of high
27 ability who, because of their ability, deserve a program of
28 study that is both demanding and stimulating.
29 (b) To engage in undergraduate educational reform by
30 combining educational innovation with educational excellence.
31
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1 (c) To provide programs of study that allow students
2 to design their educational experience as much as possible in
3 accordance with their individual interests, values, and
4 abilities.
5 (d) To challenge undergraduates not only to master
6 existing bodies of knowledge but also to extend the frontiers
7 of knowledge through original research.
8 (2) Accreditation.--As soon as possible, New College
9 of Florida shall apply to the Commission on Colleges of the
10 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for separate
11 accreditation.
12 (3) Board of Trustees.--The Governor shall appoint 11
13 members to the Board of Trustees, to serve 4-year staggered
14 terms, as follows:
15 (a) Three residents of Sarasota County.
16 (b) Two residents of Manatee County.
17 (c) Until the expiration date of the terms of office
18 of the members who are on the board June 30, 2001, six members
19 shall be selected from the Board of Trustees of the New
20 College Foundation.
21 Section 6. Legislative intent.--The Legislature
22 intends to create an innovative means to increase access to
23 baccalaureate-degree-level education in populous counties that
24 are underserved by public baccalaureate-degree-granting
25 institutions. This education is intended to address the
26 state's workforce needs, especially the need for teachers,
27 nurses, and business managers in agencies and firms that
28 require expertise in technology.
29 Section 7. St. Petersburg College; mission.--St.
30 Petersburg Junior College is redesignated as St. Petersburg
31 College. The college shall immediately seek accreditation from
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1 the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a
2 baccalaureate-degree-granting college.
3 (1) The primary mission of St. Petersburg College is
4 to provide high-quality undergraduate education at an
5 affordable price for students and the state. The purpose is to
6 promote economic development by preparing people for
7 occupations that require a bachelor's degree and are in demand
8 by existing or emerging public and private employers in this
9 state.
10 (2) The college is to maintain the mission and
11 policies of a Florida community college, including the
12 open-door admissions policy and the authority to offer all
13 programs consistent with a public community college's
14 authority.
15 (3) St. Petersburg College shall maintain the
16 distinction between the college and its university center. St.
17 Petersburg College is limited to community college programs
18 and to selected baccalaureate-degree-level programs that meet
19 community needs and are authorized as provided by this act.
20 The University Center may make available more diverse program
21 offerings, but those programs are offered by a participating
22 college or university and are not to be classified or funded
23 as a program of St. Petersburg College.
24 (4) The academic policies of the upper-division
25 program at St. Petersburg College must be in accordance with
26 policies of the State University System.
27 (5) Sections 240.293 and 240.2945, Florida Statutes,
28 apply to St. Petersburg College.
29 Section 8. St. Petersburg College; students.--
30 (1) St. Petersburg College shall maintain separate
31 records for students who are enrolled in courses classified in
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1 the upper division and lower division of a baccalaureate
2 program, according to the Common Course Numbering System. A
3 student shall be reported as a community college student for
4 enrollment in a lower-division course and as a
5 baccalaureate-degree-program student for enrollment in an
6 upper-division course.
7 (2) The Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg College
8 shall establish the level of matriculation, tuition, and other
9 authorized student fees.
10 (a) For each credit hour of enrollment in a
11 certificate-level course or lower-division-level college
12 credit course, matriculation and tuition fees must be within
13 the range authorized in law and rule for a community college
14 student at that level.
15 (b) For each credit hour of enrollment in an
16 upper-division-level course, matriculation and tuition fees
17 must be in an amount established by the Board of Trustees of
18 St. Petersburg College. However, fees for upper-division
19 students must reflect the fact that the college does not incur
20 the costs of major research programs. Therefore, the board
21 shall establish fees for upper-division students within a
22 range that is lower than the fees established for students at
23 a public university but higher than the fees for community
24 college students.
25 (c) Other mandatory fees and local fees must be at the
26 same level for all lower division students. For upper division
27 students, other mandatory fees and local fees must be at a
28 level less than fees established for University of South
29 Florida students, regardless of program enrollment or level.
30 However, students in workforce development education courses
31 maintain the authorized fee exemptions described in section
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1 239.117, Florida Statutes, and may be exempt from local fees
2 imposed by the Board of Trustees, at the board's discretion.
3 Section 9. St. Petersburg College; degrees.--
4 (1) In addition to the certificates, diplomas, and
5 degrees authorized in section 240.301, Florida Statutes, St.
6 Petersburg College may offer selected baccalaureate degrees.
7 Initially, the college may offer programs that lead to a
8 baccalaureate degree in the following fields:
9 (a) Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This program must
10 be designed to articulate with the Associate in Science Degree
11 in nursing. St. Petersburg College shall continue to offer the
12 Associate in Science degree in nursing.
13 (b) Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in
14 Elementary Education.
15 (c) Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in
16 Special Education.
17 (d) Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in
18 Secondary Education.
19 (e) Bachelor of Applied Science in fields selected by
20 the Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg College. The board
21 shall base the selection on an analysis of workforce needs and
22 opportunities in the following counties: Pinellas, Pasco,
23 Hernando, and other counties approved by the Florida
24 Department of Education. For each program selected, St.
25 Petersburg College must offer a related Associate-in-Science
26 or Associate-in-Applied-Science degree program, and the
27 baccalaureate-degree-level program must be designed to
28 articulate fully with at least one Associate-in-Science degree
29 program. The college is encouraged to develop articulation
30 agreements for enrollment of graduates of related
31 Associate-in-Applied-Science degree programs.
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1 (2) St. Petersburg College may offer courses that
2 enable teachers to qualify for certification and
3 recertification as required by law or rule.
4 (3) The college may offer programs to provide
5 opportunities for a person who holds a baccalaureate degree,
6 but is not certified to teach, to obtain any additional
7 courses required for teacher certification.
8 (4) Masters-degree-level programs and doctoral
9 programs may be provided by agreement with a college or
10 university participating in the University Center of St.
11 Petersburg College.
12 (5) For those students living outside Pinellas County,
13 St. Petersburg College shall recruit for the upper-division
14 only those students who have earned an associate degree. In
15 recruiting upper division students in Pasco and Hernando
16 Counties, St. Petersburg College shall work cooperatively with
17 Pasco-Hernando Community College and shall seek to offer
18 courses and programs at Pasco-Hernando Community College when
19 feasible. The nursing programs, in particular, must be
20 conducted cooperatively, and programs at St. Petersburg
21 College shall not conflict with Pasco-Hernando Community
22 College's and the University of South Florida's cooperative
23 nursing program.
24 Section 10. St. Petersburg College; boards.--
25 (1) The Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg Junior
26 College is renamed the Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg
27 College and serves as its governing board. The Governor shall
28 appoint members as provided in section 240.313, Florida
29 Statutes, and the board has the duties and authorities granted
30 in sections 240.315 and 240.319, Florida Statutes, and by
31 rules of the State Board of Education.
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1 (2) The Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg College
2 may authorize direct support organizations as authorized in
3 sections 240.299 and 240.331, Florida Statutes.
4 (3) The Board of Trustees of St. Petersburg College
5 may continue to award degrees, diplomas, and certificates as
6 authorized for St. Petersburg Junior College, and in the name
7 of St. Petersburg Junior College, until St. Petersburg College
8 receives its accreditation.
9 (4) A coordinating board shall assist the Board of
10 Trustees in its deliberations concerning issues that affect
11 the upper division of the college. The coordinating board
12 consists of the President of the University of South Florida,
13 the President of St. Petersburg College, the President of
14 Pasco-Hernando Community College, and the chairpersons of the
15 boards of trustees of those institutions.
16 (5) Beginning 4 years after the college receives
17 accreditation to offer baccalaureate degrees, the Board of
18 Trustees of St. Petersburg College may determine additional
19 programs to be offered, with the approval of the coordinating
20 board. The determination must consider community needs and
21 economic opportunities.
22 (6) The coordinating board shall meet at the request
23 of the President of the University of South Florida or the
24 President of St. Petersburg College.
25 (7) If the coordinating board cannot decide an issue
26 of importance to the programs designed for upper-division
27 students, the chief educational officer of this state shall
28 resolve the issue.
29 Section 11. St. Petersburg College; employees.--
30 (1) Employment at St. Petersburg College is governed
31 by the same laws that govern community colleges, except that
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1 upper-division faculty are eligible for continuing contract
2 upon the completion of the fifth year of teaching.
3 (2) Employee records for all personnel shall be
4 maintained as required by s. 240.337, Florida Statutes.
5 Section 12. St. Petersburg College; facilities.--The
6 St. Petersburg College may request funding from the Public
7 Education Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund as a
8 community college and as a university. The municipalities of
9 Pinellas County, the Board of County Commissioners of Pinellas
10 County, and all other governmental entities are authorized to
11 cooperate with the Board of Trustees in establishing this
12 institution. The acquisition and donation of lands, buildings,
13 and equipment for the use of St. Petersburg College are
14 authorized as a public purpose. The Board of County
15 Commissioners of Pinellas County and all municipalities in
16 Pinellas County may exercise the power of eminent domain to
17 acquire lands, buildings, and equipment for the use of St.
18 Petersburg College, regardless of whether such lands,
19 buildings, and equipment are located in a community
20 redevelopment area.
21 Section 13. St. Petersburg College; state funding.--
22 (1) The Legislature intends to fund St. Petersburg
23 College as a community college for its workforce development
24 education programs and for its lower-division-level college
25 credit courses and programs.
26 (2) The Legislature intends to fund St. Petersburg
27 College as a baccalaureate-degree-level institution for its
28 upper-division-level courses and programs.
29 (3) During the 2001-2002 fiscal year, St. Petersburg
30 College shall estimate the appropriate level of funding for
31 these programs. By March 1, 2002, the college shall complete a
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1 cost study and shall submit to the Legislature a proposal for
2 cost accounting and legislative budget requests designed to
3 acknowledge its unique classification. The cost study must
4 indicate actual costs projected for the first 4 years of
5 operation as a baccalaureate-level institution, with the first
6 students expected to enroll in the upper division in fall
7 semester of 2002.
8 Section 14. Nothing contained within this act shall be
9 construed to adversely impact the accreditation of the
10 University of South Florida.
11 Section 15. This act shall take effect July 1, 2001.
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