UF to take over Florida Poly?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

Saw this item this week. It advanced through committee.

https://www.theledger.com/news/20200212/legislation-targeting-lakelands-florida-poly-advances-in-state-house

Thoughts on this? @Gator88NE

I visited Poly with my daughter two years ago and it has a lot of potential. Wasn’t a match for her. Too small and 80% boys.

I think the Lakeland community would embrace UF but it would really annoy USF and UCF. I think UF could do some amazing things and educate a lot more kids.

Plus I like the big caterpillar building,

2

Interesting. I don’t think it’s going to happen, yet.

The real issue is the cost per degree at each school. It’s hard to justify, and administrative cost play a role. Neither should have been spun “off” as separate universities. They probably have a few years to make the $ add up, before they get consolidated (and it could end up being USF and UCF, not FSU and UF).

In 1980, there was a legislative effort to merge UNF with the University of Florida but a bill proposing this was vetoed by Governor Bob Graham. It makes for an interesting What If? Keep in mind that UNF only started to accepted Juniors and Seniors in 1972, and then freshman/sophomores in 1984.

3

What if UF merged with Florida Poly?

  1. Florida Poly turns into UF. All degree's awarded would be award as UF degrees, not UF "south" or UF "Poly". This is the same for UF online and PaCE students today.
  2. Florida Poly campus would be another "alternative" to enrolling at UF, like UF online, Gator Engineering at SF, PaCE, etc. It would allow UF to accept more freshman, who would have to stay at Poly for two years, before transferring to UF's main campus or staying at Poly (based on your major).
  3. Being part of UF, means better funding for Poly. UF alumni would start donating for new buildings, etc.

A bunch of good things for Poly students, but I don’t see it happening.

4

@Gator88NE i think the big opposition would be from USF and UCF. They would rather cut off a limb than let UF have a presence in central Florida.

I think it meets a lot of needs within the state. The UF and FSU brands remain exclusive and such a move would enable them them to serve more kids - many that don’t want to go to UCF or USF.

5

Latest proposal merges both Poly and New College onto UF.

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/320267-uf-gets-florida-poly-and-new-college-under-newly-filed-bill