TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Lawmakers are beginning a review of Florida’s higher education system by meeting with the presidents of two of the state’s most prestigious public universities.
University of Florida president Bernie Machen and Florida State University president Eric Barron are appearing Friday before the House High Education Committee.
The panel plans to talk with the presidents of Florida’s other nine public universities next week.
Houser Speaker Dean Cannon has asked the committee to begin working with higher education officials to bring order to a system he says lacks focus.
Cannon said on Tuesday in his opening remarks of the 2012 legislative session that universities are pursing overlapping agendas while community colleges are transforming into four-year institutions.
He said if left unchecked Florida will have a system that’s “racing toward mediocrity.”
Source: Associated Press
