GOVERNOR CRIST ANNOUNCES EDUCATION INVESTMENTS TO PROMOTE INNOVATION AND HIGH-WAGE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR FLORIDIANS
~~ ~~ $7.1 billion to support higher education with no proposed tuition increases by the state ~~ ~~
January 28, 2010
Contact:
GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
TAMPA – Governor Charlie Crist today addressed the Board of Governors of Florida’s 11 state universities, applauding their innovative New Florida: Building Florida’s Knowledge Economy initiative and outlining his 2010-11 budget priorities for Florida’s colleges and universities. The Governor proposed $7.1 billion for higher education, including a $100-million increase to state universities to build research and education capacity in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM). The Governor also announced a $67-million increase for Florida’s 28 community colleges to meet rising enrollment without increasing tuition.
“Education is the engine that drives the economy for Florida. This $7.1-billion investment in our institutions of higher learning will help us continue the strong push toward building an economy based on knowledge and innovation,” Governor Crist said. “All Floridians will reap the benefits of these investments resulting in opportunities for job training, job preparedness, and ultimately job creation.”
Governor Crist recently called on Florida’s Talent Supply Chain – the Board of Governors, Agency for Workforce Innovation, Department of Education and Workforce Florida – to embrace a new era of collaboration by formally partnering with Florida’s business leaders to develop a strategic plan to ensure Florida’s workforce is equipped to meet the demands of a global, knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. The shared strategy will ensure students can access educational opportunities and gain skills that will increase Florida’s economic competitiveness.
Governor Crist’s higher education budget priorities include $3.6 billion for the state university system. He recommended $5 million for state university research commercialization matching grants. While the Governor proposed no tuition increase for resident undergraduates at Florida’s state universities, state universities have the continued authority to increase the tuition differential fee by up to 15 percent.
Governor Crist also recommended $2 billion to support community colleges, including $9.5 million to maintain bachelor’s degree programs offered by colleges within the Florida College System. Governor Crist proposed no tuition increase for resident undergraduates at community colleges.
About Florida’s Colleges
The Florida College System serves as a model for other states. For the seventh year in a row, Community College Week reported that Florida has several of the leading degree-producing public community colleges in the nation.
About Florida’s State University System
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine identified five of Florida’s state universities among the “Top 100 Best Values in Public Colleges,” with the University of Florida, New College of Florida, and Florida State University ranked among the top 20. In addition, the University of Central Florida and University of South Florida were ranked in the top 60.
U.S. News & World Report recognized several Florida institutions based on academic excellence. The University of Florida and Florida State University were recognized within the “Top Public National Universities.” New College was ranked fifth in the “Top Public Liberal Arts Colleges.” In addition, the University of North Florida was ranked within the “Top Masters’ Universities.”