<p>Is T.K. bluffing, or is the stuff about to hit the fan?</p>
<p>Probably more bluff - and a vehicle to restructure towards a more STEM-oriented configuration.</p>
<p>I actually disagree. THe house proposes they cut 28 million more, the senate 78 million. They have trimmed so much of the fat. Where else is it going to come from? Rather than a bluff, I think this is showing the realities of what could happen if they have to cut 78 million from the budget. It is nice not having a state income tax. But property taxes and sales taxes only go so far in funding the state’s needs, especially in a recession/depression. And the state U tuition is so low it really is a steal. And I love having Bright Futures, but there are too many who feel entitled that don’t really need the financial assistance. It is getting to crunch time. And I think the house and senate need to see the realities of how further cuts will hurt. If the proposed cuts are not scaled back, we will see programs and majors and maybe the Panama City campus cut. I think TK is being real. This could be what happens if there is not enough money.</p>
<p>FSU and UF are probably considered the two “Ivory Towers” in the Florida state university system. Both are threatening cutbacks with the current money woes. If FSU waters down or eliminates any traditional liberal arts programs, while strengthening STEM programs, FSU will become a “Leaning Tower of Ivory.”</p>
<p>TK is an astute politician and I am sure he would cut where he said he would if pushed. That is no bluff to be sure. Never make a threat unless you are fully prepared to carry it out. It is a game of brinkmanship on many levels, including alumni and other supporters. At the same time, it is a bluff and display.</p>
<p>What I see this as is that it clarifies what it will cost the legislators to cut Florida State and the State of Florida so severely. Florida already suffers from underfunded universities and the reputation is well known nationally among academia. It is embarrassing that we have only one state school barely in the Top 50 universities. It is suicide in my view to strangle your best universities. The Legislature is at a tipping point and they must have clarity and TK is giving them some.</p>
<p>Having said this, it can and may already be turned almost instantly into a platform for removing unproductive faculty and reorienting resources to higher priorities, like STEM.</p>
<p>Here’s a new article on the subject from my little slice of Florida in Sarasota:
[State</a> budget cuts could threaten Ringling Museum and Asolo | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida’s Information Leader](<a href=“http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090416/ARTICLE/904161088/2055/NEWS?Title=State-budget-cuts-could-threaten-Ringling-Museum-and-Asolo]State”>http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090416/ARTICLE/904161088/2055/NEWS?Title=State-budget-cuts-could-threaten-Ringling-Museum-and-Asolo)</p>
<p>This still appears to be more posturing…I could be wrong, but politics frequently involve misdirection and feints.</p>
<p>From the article:
</p>
<p>The Florida legislature ends its 60 day session in 2 weeks–same as my spring semester! There is no leadership in the state house at all. The Samson scandal, along with term limits, assured that. By the time new state representatives learn where the capitol bathrooms are, their term is over and it is time for them to leave. Florida suffers for it, especially in a period of economic crisis like now. The senate is not much better, and the best Floridians can expect out of Tallahassee now is a patchwork budget being approved. Even the governor is getting ready to leave Dodge by probably running for US senate before long. The legislature will be called back for a special session, or when the state can’t make payroll.</p>
<p>The real leaders in Florida education the next year are going to be the college presidents, school trustees, local school boards and superintendents, school principals, etc. who are in the frontlines dealing with less money and bigger problems. </p>
<p>Maybe some of these educators will be tomorrow’s legislators who actually get something positive done and help get adequate funding in place for Florida education. BTW, just to put the $78 million proposed budget reduction for FSU in perspective, $78 million might build about 1 1/2 new Florida high schools.</p>
<p>Things are not much better in Hogtown. Football (University Athletic Association) proves it is good for UF by pledging $6 million to the university for general use!</p>
<p>[The</a> University of Florida released a worst-case budget plan Thursday that includes options such as hundreds of layoffs, the elimination of 10 academic and student-support programs and a four-day work week in the summer. | Gainesville.com | The Gaines](<a href=“http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090416/ARTICLES/904169897?Title=UF-s-worst-case-budget-includes-hundreds-of-layoffs-cuts-of-10-programs]The”>http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090416/ARTICLES/904169897?Title=UF-s-worst-case-budget-includes-hundreds-of-layoffs-cuts-of-10-programs)</p>
<p>Well, TK mean business. </p>
<p>It was written in the Tallahassee Democrat that athletics at FSU pay for themselves via their own revenues, and they receive no state monies. The article went on to mention that no sports programs were slated to be cut in the latest budget proposals. (The budget proposals do put on hold a new tennis facility and an indoor practice field.) And the assistant athletic director was quoted as saying that because athletics and coaching salaries are not dependent on state money, no coaches or trainers would be effected by planned furloughs.</p>
<p>President Wetherall issued a scathing reply. “I realize that there is no (general revenue money) in athletics,” Wetherell said in a scathing e-mail to Elliott, Athletic Director Randy Spetman and several others. “However, if anyone thinks that the Boosters and athletics including coaches are not going to be involved in this pay cut and/or furloughs he/she is crazy.” Wetherell was adamant that athletics will be part of whatever actions are taken university-wide. “If this is unacceptable to the Boosters or athletics,” FSU’s president wrote, “they can come see me with their resignation in hand.” </p>
<p>Sounds like athletics should consider taking UF’s lead and donate some money to keep academics from suffering the rath of budget cuts.</p>
<p>Just to beat the subject of Florida politics to death today in this thread, I’ve attached a recent Quinnipiac University poll of Florida voters that addresses some of the issues mentioned in this thread such as Bright Futures (questions 36-40), and term limits for legislators. Voters are little less supportive now of Bright Futures than a few months ago. Legislators see these types of polls and use them (finger in wind) in their voting decisions. Bright Futures is still an item that could be tampered with this legislative session. Also the poll indicates folks still like term limits–I don’t. </p>
<p>[Florida</a> (FL) Poll * April 15, 2009 * Dems Like Florida Gov. Crist A - Quinnipiac University Hamden, Connecticut](<a href=“http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1297.xml?ReleaseID=1286]Florida”>http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1297.xml?ReleaseID=1286)</p>
<p>i heard they are getting rid of the geo program… is this true???</p>
<p>Nobody knows at this time for certain if geography or any other programs will be eliminated or pared back at FSU. Geography is one of the programs on the list that could be dropped. These proposals are worst case scenarios that could occur if funding is not available. The threats are upsetting to students, and of course to staff that could lose their jobs. Stay tuned; things could get bumpy down the road. Hopefully things will work out!</p>
<p>The University of Florida today described having to consider cutting back programs too if they don’t have enough money as described in attached:</p>
<p>[Budget</a> News - Budget Proposals](<a href=“http://budget.president.ufl.edu/proposals/]Budget”>http://budget.president.ufl.edu/proposals/)</p>
<p>T.K. knows all the tricks of state budget deal-making:</p>
<p>[Grand</a> jury calls on Florida Legislature to make budget process transparent - St. Petersburg Times](<a href=“http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/legislature/article993213.ece]Grand”>http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/legislature/article993213.ece)</p>
<p>Sophie, nothing is certain until the budget is approved.</p>
<p>Still, I’d suggest writing or calling your representative and expressing your concerns.</p>
<p>I’m going to make a prediction that the state budget will be finalized by Tuesday pm and the legislative session will close Friday. Speaker-designate Dean Cannon from Winter Park has picked up the ball as house budget negotiator. He has big ambitions and big elbows. To be sure he and other legislative leaders are working round the clock this weekend to get this thing done. Cannon is ambitious and knows the spotlight is on him now to see how he performs. He is in a position where I think he will cave in with the house proposals and end up coming closer to senate budget plan. The last thing Cannon wants is being associated with and being viewed as the reason state government shuts down if a budget can’t be completed soon. He would like to cap next week being viewed as the hero of the session. If the budget isn’t completed by Tues pm, the legislature will probably stick around another week rather than come back for a special session this summer.</p>
<p>This is only a prediction, I’m not betting any money on it. Everyone in the state, however, has a lot riding on what the state is able to do financially the coming years.</p>
<p>News out of the legislature today sounds much better for the state universities. A tentative understanding is in place between the senate and house for much smaller funding cutbacks for universities than the originally proposed $500million reduction by house. Throwing in tuition charge increases the universities will collect next year might even give universities more money than they had last year. Plus, it is proposed university employees will be exempt from anticipated state employee pay cuts for some. All this is not final until final budget is voted on next week by legislators. Things sound much better than what was being feared recent weeks for university funding. Hopefully nothing will blow-up between now and completing final budget. An improved economy would make things easier for everyone!</p>
<p>Affirmed by this report: [Colleges</a>’ outlook less dire | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida’s Information Leader](<a href=“http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090430/ARTICLE/904301067/2055/NEWS?Title=Colleges-outlook-less-dire]Colleges”>http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090430/ARTICLE/904301067/2055/NEWS?Title=Colleges-outlook-less-dire)</p>
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<p>Im a student who will be transferring in the fall and would like to know when will we know what programs will actually be cut? Will probably double major in geology and Environmental Studies and those are two programs that were on the list of possible elimination.I Should be excited that I’m leaving but been feeling on the edge since I don’t know if my programs will still be around by the time I get to FSU.</p>
<p>I doubt if much will be changed in terms of what students would notice. Some programs may be grouped under different colleges, but that will probably be about it.</p>
<p>Rodfrommiami
I know EXACTLY how you feel.
I plan on transferring next summer. My choice was a major in geography with a minor in anthropology! Just my luck!
The mapping coordinator told me I should prob change my major, but told me to call her in July. So I’d suggest that.</p>