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Politics
UF slight takes a substantial turn
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Published April 11, 2007
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[AP file photo]
Last month, the UF Faculty Senate rejected a proposal to give Bush an honorary degree.
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TALLAHASSEE - So Jeb Bush couldn't get an honorary degree at the University of Florida. But maybe he can do better, maybe he can get a building named for him. The "Jeb Bush College of Education at the University of Florida" would come complete with a big sign. In what has been a pingpong game of Snub the Former Governor vs. Honor the Former Governor, the third volley came Tuesday when the building proposal passed a legislative stop. Step 1, the snub, came a month ago: The UF Senate faculty leadership denied Bush an honorary degree, irking Bush supporters and UF president Bernie Machen. Step 2, honor, came days later: The UF Alumni Association board of directors made Bush an honorary alumnus. They denied the timing had anything to do with the degree rejection, saying it was a nod to Bush's support for research at UF, which got millions for research centers and top-notch faculty under him. Step 3 came Tuesday, when a House education council passed a proposal sponsored by Rep. David Rivera, a South Florida Republican, who said naming a building at UF would honor the governor "who had a great passion for education." Rivera also wants to name the president's house at Florida International University in Miami after former President Ronald Reagan. His proposals are an amendment to a larger bill to name university buildings after people who have donated money to the school. Sen. Paula Dockery is sponsoring the companion bill on university building names in the Senate. Dockery, a UF grad, hadn't heard about Rivera's additions on Tuesday, but she was skeptical about a Jeb Bush building at UF. "I think the faculty would be very unhappy." She said naming buildings after supporters is a way to generate donations. "Jeb did a lot of things, and that deserves recognition," she said. "But I don't think this is the proper recognition." If the recognition does come through, it guarantees one thing for the UF faculty who voted against Bush: With that big sign, they would have a constant reminder of the snub that backfired. Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler can be reached at svansickler@sptimes.com or 850 224-7263.
[Last modified April 11, 2007, 02:50:07]
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by Chris
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04/21/07 10:14 PM
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Jeb was a great governor who did a lot in our state, particularly for education. Shame on UF's liberal faculity for snubbing Jeb!!! Yes, honor our excellent former gov by naming a UF building after him. My kids are UF grads, I've PAID for my opinion!
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by Sam
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04/12/07 12:53 PM
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Jeb Bush as a hero of education is a very bad joke.
If you remember Jeb tried twice to sink the Smaller Class Size Amendment.
It would make U.F. a laughing stock in academic circles if they named anything, other than the lavatory, for Jeb Bush.
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by Mary
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04/11/07 03:58 PM
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If we were to research award winners of honorary degrees at all of the universities, I believe we would be shocked at the results. You have to have some talents to be elected governor and it should be recognized.
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by Marnie
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04/11/07 11:01 AM
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A Jeb Bush School of Education? An oxymoron.
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by Marie
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04/11/07 10:44 AM
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Would future students view a "Jeb Bush" building as an inclination that UF is strongly Republican? Education institutions should stay neutral, and give the appearance of neutral when it comes to politics. Thatò019s what education is all about.
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by Paul
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04/11/07 10:13 AM
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It should be next door to the Katherine Harris Institute of Ethics and the Foley Children's Center
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by P
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04/11/07 09:47 AM
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You gotta be kidding me the man was an idiot and took the education system of this state even deeper into the dark ages...if anything name it after Mr. Chiles he at least cared about the states educational
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by Rich
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04/11/07 09:37 AM
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Why does everything have to be political?
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by Sandy
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04/11/07 09:05 AM
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I hope this happens; Jeb did so much good during his time as governor. He deserves recognition.
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by Andy
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04/11/07 08:51 AM
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I think this would be funny because it would upset teachers.
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by Scott
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04/11/07 08:11 AM
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It would be laughable to name part of an educational institution after a man who so vigorously tried to undermine education in our state.
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by Oh No
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04/11/07 06:31 AM
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Jeb Bush's educational legacy has made Florida the laughing stock of the nation. FCAT, E-Comp, STAR and MAP were designed to dismantle public education. Naming a college of education after him is an insult to all of our hard working educators.
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by Gilbert
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04/11/07 06:15 AM
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As I said when the story of rejection first broke-lets not make the students suffer for this one. Unfortunately, politics outways the need for our educational institutions and that of our students! I truly wonder what is next?
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by Sam
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04/11/07 02:50 AM
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"Jeb Bush College of Education in Unethical Behavior & Right Wing Neocon Politics" has a more truthful ring to it.
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