Tampabay.com
JUNE 11, 2008

It's back: Bickering over university governance

Here's evidence this spring's political battle over university governance is far from done.

The Board of Governors next week will consider new rules
strengthening its oversight of individual universities, whose day to
day operations are supposed to fall to trustees.

One regulation calls for university boards of trustees to get the
BOG's OK before acquiring real property for instructional or research
purposes.

Another gives the BOG more involvement in the selection and evaluation of a university president.

Smith
FSU trustee Jim Smith, former secretary of state (left), says that far exceeds the BOG's governing role.

Smith has written to Carolyn Roberts, chairman of the BOG, asking her to delay any decision on the proposals.

"These revisions reflect an unreasonable and needless
micromanagement and interference with several of the university board's
most important powers and duties," Smith wrote. "By becoming involved
in the evaluation of the president, the Board of Governors blurs the
lines of authority between the board(s) of trustees and the Board of
Governors."

- Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler, higher education reporter

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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