<p>With Bright Futures dwindling (going away??) and the Fl. universities being limited on raising tuition costs (Florida schools already have exceptionally low tuition compared to other state Us.), and with Florida prepaid being less attractive in recent years ( a great deal if you got it many years ago, but no longer as much benefit as it once had)…and with Florida now having to support yet another school (the new poly-tech)…it seems to me that the Florida schools will have a much harder time continuing to draw Florida’s ‘best and brightest’ students. </p>
<p>I’m just thinking that as my kid is choosing schools and looking at rank and prestige (which will be at least part of the equation), it might be important to keep future rank and prestige in mind as well. </p>
<p>Will the Florida Schools be able to build/maintain their appeal?</p>
<p>Floridians should be worried about the future of their public higher education system. Things could be a lot better; inadequate funding is a big part of the problem. Changes are needed.</p>
<p>Florida’s governor just today announced the formation of a new task force created to deal with the shortcomings of Florida’s higher education system and how to come up with ways to improve it. Many Floridians recognize that the system is fractured now, even the governor after him being told loudly and often by Florida residents, students, educators, taxpayers, businesses, etc.</p>
<p>^This “Blue Ribbon” task force for higher education in Florida will be a politicized joke. At best it will come up with a “playing decision-maker” plan to better bulldozer down any remaining Ivory Towers left in Florida.</p>
<p>I think it will get worse before it gets better. I enrolled in FGCU in 2009 as graduate student. I pursued my studies part-time so I didn’t graduate until 2012. In those 3 short years, I’ve noticed fewer and fewer sections of classes being offered. The library closed on Saturdays (although this was later appealed by Student Government and now they have Saturday hours). My graduate advisor had no dedicated admin to help with his insane workload (working double duty as advisor and recruiter for the program). I also felt that the technology infrastructure and amenities could have used an upgrade. I heard both faculty and staff lament publicly about cost-cutting. Overall, I feel that my education was fine…but morale was really going down.</p>
<p>Having worked at a public university (not FGCU), I know that change can be slow. Also, people tend to be set in their ways. I think that the leadership at FL public colleges need time to adjust. Cut back on needless spending (I really don’t think FAU should have built that football stadium…come on, their team is terrible!). Work on ways to fundraise and increase endowments. Diversify your income sources. And for G-d’s sake, have some sort of muscle put on those legislators up in Tallahassee.</p>
<p>I think the public universities are certainly going downhill. I’m in high school, but I’m dual-enrolled at FAU and have a lot of friends there. I remember reading a big article in my local paper about FAU’s meteoric rise; how it was adding new programs, constantly building brand-new buildings from a medical school to a stadium and witnessing an entire new biochemistry (or something like that, I actually know nothing about science lol) research industry being built around one of its campuses. Now it is facing a severe budget crunch and had to close a campus. Students who worked hard all through school are taking 5 years to graduate because they can’t get into classes they need for their majors.</p>
<p>I hate that stupid new university. 10 years ago, it would have been great. In 10 years it would be great. But not now. What an insult to Florida students, to pour money into a new school with no reputation and start from scratch when top programs are seeing devastating budget cuts. I’m applying to schools now and I’m very sour on Florida universities. Even though I love FSU it’s currently my last choice. I’ve seen first hand how these universities nickel-and-dime their students every chance they get. Sorry, but I’m from a cheapskate family and when I go to college I want it to be at a school that takes care of its students and invests in them!</p>
<p>Florida CAN’T get rid of Bright Futures. It should raise taxes if it has to (what’s so great about not having an income tax when health and education are constantly thrown under the bus?). Not just the future of our educational system but the future of our entire state are at stake. Florida should be aiming to attract the best students from in state and out of state with as many merit scholarships as possible and unparalleled opportunities. </p>
<p>OK, so I’m a Bright Futures-eligible Florida student with alumni and/or faculty family connections to 4 Florida universities, right now there is a 99% chance that I’ll go out of state. I know lots of students who have no interest in staying in-state. I still think that Florida schools provide a relatively good value but they need to start investing in students again.</p>