‘A tremendous loss.’ Critics slam proposed USF Sarasota-Manatee transfer deal
As a deal to give New College of Florida the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus looms, critics say it will have lasting impacts on the Suncoast.
Pending a final vote on the state budget on Friday, and approval by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the University of South Florida may be forced to transfer its Sarasota-Manatee campus assets to New College.
“As the end of the special legislation approaches, the potential transition represents a thoughtful and forward-looking opportunity to expand New College’s capacity while preserving continuity for the Sarasota-Manatee community, its students, faculty, and staff,” New College President Richard Corcoran said in a statement posted on the college’s X account.
Critics have voiced strong opposition to the plan since DeSantis first included it in a draft budget in December. After the bill stalled in the legislative session, it returned as part of the budget special session and garnered first approval over the weekend.
The proposal requires USF to begin transferring its campus buildings to NCF in July, including a new $44 million residence hall. It would also mean New College takes on USFSM’s debt by the end of the year.
“The only thing New College got, and wanted, was the facilities. Not the programs, not the students, just the real estate,” said Laurey Stryker, who served as president of USFSM from 2000-2007. “We were just collateral damage.”
USFSM advocates share concerns about campus takeover
Stryker also helped organize the “Save USFSM” group that publicly opposed the deal through press releases, social media and a community forum.
“The impact, to lose a first-class university for our community, is devastating,” Stryker said. “It just is a tremendous loss.”
Stryker calls the deal an “unforced error,” adding that the state and institutions’ boards of trustees allowed the proposal to progress without consulting the community.
“I think that was the disrespect that the community felt, that there was no forum to have the conversation,” Stryker said.
Stryker raised suspicion about the lack of community engagement that happened before lawmakers began contemplating the bill.
“The Board of Governors never had it on their agenda on why this campus didn’t make sense,” Stryker said.
USFSM offers over 40 degree programs — including an emphasis on workforce-specific programs like nursing, education, accounting and hospitality — that Stryker said were designed to meet the community’s needs.
Stryker said she’s worried how the community will fill the void in workforce degree programs that she says are different from what New College offers.
“I think they’re still pursuing this national liberal arts beacon,” Stryker said about New College. “Their goals and USF’s were always different, but complimentary as education options in the community.”
Stryker added that she hopes the community can begin having conversations about how to continue providing workforce programs by connecting with local legislators, partnerships with institutions like the State College of Florida and other stakeholders.
Nancy Parrish, president of Citizens to Protect the Ringling & USF Sarasota-Manatee, said those behind the transfer decision have “little interest” in the quality of education offered to students.
She pointed to New College’s ranking in the annual Best Colleges report, which has slipped 59 spots since Florida officials launched their conservative makeover of the liberal arts school.
“In every measure, New College is failing,” Parrish said. “By forcing a transfer without addressing the combined debt, the legislature has effectively committed Florida taxpayers to an annual bailout for years to come.”
Parrish also criticized local legislators who sided with the New College takeover, particularly state Sen. Joe Gruters.
“Sen. Gruters is on the top of that list, having supported New College taking over the Ringling Museum last year, which we were able to successfully stop,” Parrish said. “Unfortunately this year, we were not able to stop what we consider to be one of the most irresponsible acts against higher education we have witnessed from Tallahassee in a generation. The implications are long-lasting.”
What’s next for community advocates
Moving forward, Parrish said Citizens to Protect the Ringling & USF Sarasota-Manatee will continue looking into how officials allowed the USFSM deal to progress. Parrish said the group is also watching closely to see if state legislators make another attempt at transferring the Ringling Museum to New College.
“We’re not through as a community organization to fight to uncover all the contracts that have been issued between New College and former legislators and former staffers,” Parrish said.
