This doesn't exactly come as a surprise, considering that dozens of Lakeland business folks have already publicly endorsed splitting USF Polytechnic from the University of South Florida system, in a letter sent to Board of Governors chairwoman Ava Parker.

The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce just sent a letter of its own (attached below) to Parker asking for the same thing. It talks about the millions of dollars the city has invested in the school and echoes the business leaders in asserting that "Allowing USF Polytechnic its independence will enable the university to more effectively innovate, develop curriculum, hire faculty and respond to industry needs."

The board will discuss the issue next week, at its meeting in Miami.