Digest

USF Graduate program gets national Top 10 ranking

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 11, 2007

USF

Graduate program gets national Top 10 ranking

Another week, another Top 10 ranking for the University of South Florida.

Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine ranked USF's Center for Entrepreneurship No. 9 on its list of top 25 such graduate programs in the country.

USF was the only Florida institution on the list.

The center was established in 2002 to help move university research in health sciences, engineering and business into the marketplace.

The center offers a 12-credit graduate certificate in entrepreneurship and a master's degree in entrepreneurship. This year it began expanding into undergraduate education.

USF officials, celebrating Wednesday, couldn't resist linking the recent success of their No. 5-ranked football team with this one.

"It feels so good to be in the top 10!" said president Judy Genshaft. "Already No. 5, and now we're No. 9."

TAMPA

Local Democrat appeals judge's ruling on lawsuit

A local political consultant who sued the Democratic National Committee in defense of Florida's early presidential primary is contesting a judge's decision to toss out his claim.

Vic DiMaio says in court papers filed today that he wants the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to review U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara's decision.

Lazzara tossed DiMaio's lawsuit in an Oct. 5 order, saying it failed to show that DiMaio had incurred any wrong that the court must make right.

DiMaio recently sued the DNC and the state Democratic Party, alleging his rights would be violated if the DNC stripped Florida of its 210 delegates to the national convention.

Lazzara said that political parties, as private entities, can set their own rules on selecting presidential nominees.

Therefore, the judge said, political parties do not act as agents for the government.

USF

Initial review discounts misconduct allegations

A preliminary investigation found no truth to scathing allegations made last week by an outgoing student affairs administrator against his supervisor, University of South Florida officials said Wednesday.

Administrators have completed a "management review" of James Dragna's allegations of misspending, employee mistreatment and discrimination by student affairs vice president Jennifer Meningall.

Dragna on Oct. 3 outlined Meningall's alleged misconduct in an e-mail to dozens of USF employees.

"This review turned up absolutely nothing to substantiate any of the allegations," according to USF spokesman Ken Gullette. "No financial activity was found that violated statute, university rule, regulation, or guidelines."

But to ensure a "complete and thorough examination," USF's audit and compliance office will conduct its own investigation.

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 00:24:27]