Bank of America recently partnered with the University of South Florida to provide $33-million in tax-exempt bond financing for building two research buildings.
But it's a separate, minor donation of $2,100 from the bank to the university that has received some high-flying attention.
The $2,100 is enough for the USF Foundation to buy American flags for each of USF's 310 classrooms and on university grounds across all four of USF's campuses.
The donation was prompted by the Carey Baker Freedom Flag Act passed by the Florida Legislature in 2004. It requires that a 2-foot by 3-foot U.S. flag be displayed in every public school classroom in the state, including state university classrooms.
The legislation stipulates each educational institution pay for the flags through private fundraising and donations.
Steve Raney, central Florida Middle Market Banking Executive for Bank of America, said the flags are needed and "a legacy of our relationship."
USF Foundation President Michael Rierson noted in a statement that Bank of America has donated its share of scholarships and endowed professorships to the school over the years. "But this patriotic gesture is a proactive statement by them that's even more grand than the size of the gift," he said.
Given the recent controversy over students being disciplined for wearing Colombian flags at Tampa's Freedom High School, it's also nice to have a flag story that doesn't come with a flap.
