State: University presidents told to expect scrutiny

ORLANDO -- Although they will have considerably more power under the state's new education system, Florida's university presidents were warned Thursday that they will be held accountable for their schools' performances.

"Accountability will be the cornerstone of this system," Jim Horne, Florida's new secretary of education, told the presidents during a three-hour meeting.

Horne said the universities won't be issued grades, at least not like those given to schools in Florida's K-12 system. But he said the assessment must be something the public "can connect to."

"Right now, the general population doesn't know what they are getting" from Florida's universities, Horne said.

The presidents had no objections to the prospect of greater scrutiny. Most seemed eager to get on with the changes, which will allow them to operate free of the centralizing influence of the state Board of Regents, which was abolished as part of a Republican-led restructuring of Florida's education system.

But the devolution of power that is the heart of the new system already is causing problems.

U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, a fierce opponent of the changes, has told at least two presidents he won't push their requests for federal money if they are submitted as individual projects.

In a recent letter to Horne, both Graham and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Florida's congressional delegation doesn't have enough staff to prioritize requests from 11 universities -- a task formerly done by the regents.

Although Graham is leading an effort to overturn the education overhaul through a ballot referendum, University of Florida President Charles Young said he doesn't think the senator is trying to be punitive.

"I think this is his philosophy," said Young, who said he told Graham his requirement that all projects be submitted by a central entity was a mistake, "especially during this period of transition."

University of Central Florida President John Hitt said it was pointless to argue with a U.S. senator. "If he says we have to get together, then we have to get together," Hitt said.

The presidents were told by Horne and Board of Education Chairman Phil Handy to prepare for other painful realities under the new system.

Annual budget requests that are little more than "wish lists," they said, are no longer acceptable.

"I think you know that the budgets you previously submitted were ignored by legislators, that they were seen as completely irrelevant," said Horne, a state senator since 1993.

From now on, he said, all budget requests will be based on available resources. That means prioritizing needs.

Horne said he assumes that funding enrollment growth will be a major priority next year. So will higher raises for faculty.

"A realistic budget is going to make or break this effort in terms of our credibility," he said.

Horne gives choice for interim chancellor

TALLAHASSEE -- Longtime higher education official Carl W. Blackwell was recommended by Secretary of Education Jim Horne on Thursday to become interim chancellor of the new state Division of Colleges and Universities.

Blackwell was chosen to replace Judy Hample, who resigned as interim chancellor of Florida's university system to take a similar job in Pennsylvania.

Blackwell, 71, a former vice chancellor of the dissolved Board of Regents, still must be approved by the new Florida Board of Education at its first meeting July 23-24. He joined the regents as associate vice chancellor of planning and budgeting in 1979.

-- Associated Press

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