<p>S was admitted to FSU Honors. It is the only state school he applied to. Also applied to a private FL school and 2 OOS schools. He really likes FSU and Bright Futures and Prepaid are a plus, but what about all the budget cuts, potential teacher layoffs, course reductions, etc. Anybody else worried about sending their kids to a Florida state institution at this time?</p>
<p>So far we have been very pleased with the quality of education and exceptional value our son has received at FSU but yes there is definitely concern about what the future may hold with all the economic and political uncertainty. He has not had any trouble getting the courses he needs each semester for his major and it looks like everything is available for the upcoming summer and fall semesters as well. There are many new facilities. The only noticeable cut-back he experienced so far was reduced library hours which has since been rescinded. Obviously the freshmen class will be a lot smaller in the fall as well. New fees keep popping up to try to get back some lost funding but still the cost is very low compared to what most students face in other states or private schools.</p>
<p>The power struggle between the legislature and the board of governors is very concerning and some of the programs which have kept the price of college very affordable and also retained the best and brightest in Florida are under attack.</p>
<p>As a parent of a student admitted for 2008, I am more comfortable that FSU cut 1000 from their freshman class, actually. I think that that was forward thinking. UF, UCF, USF, FAU, FIU made the decision not to, as of yet. I think those freshman are certain to feel the cuts more. If you are underfunded, you can take care of a smaller number of students better than taking care of a larger number of students. All of the state U's were accepting more students than they were funded for. They are referred to as "unfunded." The legislature prepares a budget based on a certain number of students. Some U's accept more and learn to work within their budget. With budget cuts, figuring out how to make it work with unfunded students was tough, especially as they cut out the "fat." As FSU said, they were getting to the bone. They figured out they had 1500 unfunded students, so they cut 1000 from the freshman class and 500 from transfers, to be able to try to provide the same services. The rest of the state U's will still have up to 1000/1500 unfunded students. Those campuses will feel it more. </p>
<p>With FSU, they will NOT have 1500 less students paying tuition. They will have 1500 less students who were having to be covered by ONLY the tuition they paid (a drop in the bucket) with no additional state subsidies to cover the majority of their expenses. FSU will have a net improvement. I think FSU students will feel less as a result.</p>
<p>sunnyflorida</p>
<p>I couldn't agree more with your assessment of the budgetary situation. I am glad that FSU is taking a proactive approach, because I don't like surprises especially when it involves my children's education. I truly wonder what will be the reactive effect at the other universities. </p>
<p>Cybermom</p>
<p>This wrestling match between the Bd. of Governors and the Legislature is getting quite tiresome. As far as the Bright Futures Program is concerned, I for one do believe that modifications should be made in order to keep this scholarship program viable. But it is a mistake for students to be penalized based on their intended major. We all know students change their majors usually at least once; and students of equal merit should receive the same scholarship. However, we have 42% of instate students on some type of Bright Futures scholarship due to the fact that the current eligibility requirements are so minimal. The national average on the SAT is 1020 and Florida students only have to make a 970 to qualify for 75% tuition. That is not academic excellence! I do think the bar should be brought to a higher level of academic achievement across the board for any students receiving these merit scholarships through our state. Also, all recipients should be required to give back to their state in the form of community service. Currently, only students receiving the Academic Scholars Award (100%) are expected to fulfill this requirement. If they raised the bar, the program would be fiscally more stable and respect for the scholarship would be greater. </p>
<p>My husband and I have written our legislators to express our thoughts concerning the Bright Futures Program. I hope all who are FL residents that frequent CC will also. If the paper blizzard from their districts is substantial, hopefully, we will see some positive work done. I seriously doubt they want to see an exodus of our best and brightest students going to other states.</p>
<p>cjm</p>
<p>My daugher will be starting in the honors program this fall also. Dr. Burke, the head of the honors program, assured all at the Honors Day that she would work to keep the same level of excellence in the program as before all the budget cuts. After reviewing the honors course selection for fall 2008, I didn't notice any difference in number or variety from fall of 2007. I think our kids will continue to have the same program as prior to cut backs. Plus, our kids have an advantage over the other freshmen in receiving priority class registration.</p>
<p>Thanks all.<br>
skibird-Thanks for the Honors info. We were unable to go as I sent in the Honors RSVP 2 days after receiving it and they were already filled!! We plan to go there for a few days over spring break and try to speak with someone in Honors and in S's major.</p>
<p>The turmoil in Florida's university system is being felt and observed not just by Floridians.</p>
<p>I received today an unsolicited recruiting letter from a North Carolina private college saying: </p>
<p>" With the recent developments in the state of Florida, this just might be the perfect time for you to re-evaluate where you have applied to college and give xxxxxx College a second look. Additionally, we are prepared to offer any Florida resident an automatic $5000 grant upon admission...."</p>
<p>Colleges and educators throughout the USA are poaching Florida students and instructors big time now!</p>
<p>I hope some cool headed, clear thinking folks can get Florida's education system on the right track for the future.</p>
<p>On the whole, I feel that I've received a fairly decent education at FSU, even considering budget cuts, underfunding, overenrolled class sizes, etc. With that said, I'm very glad that the schools are making efforts to cut down class sizes and increase tuition costs. It not only brings in more reveue for the state schools, but it ensures greater selectivity as the crop of student increasingly grows and the alotted acceptances become significantly less.</p>
<p>Despite an apparent movement by the FL schools to change things, it's definitely made me realize what a significant advantage private schools have over state schools. Assuming that I have the money when I get older there is no way I am sending my kid to a state school over private, unless it's a top public like Berkeley, UVA, UNC, etc. Private schools have much greater jurisdiction over how they disperse their funds and generally bring in greater endowments. Plus their student-teacher ratios are significantly smaller, have a much more intimate campus feel, and the kids are able to work with their professors on a much more personal level.</p>