USF president offers criticism of new system

By CRAIG PITTMAN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 23, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft mildly criticized the governor and Legislature on Friday for tearing apart the state university system's governance system without having a replacement ready.

Genshaft -- in an otherwise upbeat speech to the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club -- said the "lack of thoughtful planning" was "unfortunate."

Education officials in other states are "wide-eyed" that Florida would attempt such a dramatic remodeling effort without having something ready to take its place, she said.

Genshaft remarks came three days before Gov. Jeb Bush names the new board governing USF.

The USF president, who next month marks her one-year anniversary in the post, voiced her criticism only after three attempts by Tiger Bay Club members to goad her into giving an opinion on the demise of the state Board of Regents.

She said she remains unconvinced that another USF branch, New College in Sarasota, will survive as an independent state university given its small size. But she said state Senate President John McKay, R-Bradenton, and the New College trustees had their hearts set on it, so USF is doing its best to ease the transition.

As for state Sen. Don Sullivan, R-Seminole, who last year pushed to split off USF's branch campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota, Genshaft declared, "He's a pal, he really is!"

The campuses remain under the USF umbrella but gained more autonomy, which Genshaft said was fine. She said Sullivan's "method was a little different from mine, but we came together in the end."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright