Governor Ron DeSantis signed a $5.1 billion State University System
budget targeted at strategic investments in student success.
Governor Ron DeSantis signaled his support of the State University System of Florida Friday, signing the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget, as passed by the Florida Legislature. The budget represents a $59.6 million year-over-year increase, elevating priorities that enhance student success and raise the State University System’s national prominence.
“Due to the support of our elected leaders, the State University System of Florida has become a national model for excellence in higher education,” said Ned Lautenbach, chair of the Board of Governors. “That’s why U.S. News & World Report has named Florida the top state in the country for higher education for three years in a row, and it’s why the State University System continues to make such progress on its goal to make sure every student has the opportunity for success.”
“We are thankful to Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, who repeatedly demonstrate that they care deeply about higher education and how closely it is tied to Florida’s prosperity,” said Marshall Criser III, chancellor of the State University System of Florida. “We will not only continue the State University System’s momentum, we will accelerate it.”
Budget items include:
Performance funding – $560 million for performance funding, which is a key driver behind the State University System’s meteoric rise in the U.S. News & World Report rankings (No. 1 in the country for three consecutive years). Universities demonstrating excellence or improvement are eligible for a share of the funding, which can be reinvested back into student success.
National rankings – $21.9 million will be divided between the University of Florida and Florida State University to continue their push to be named in the Top 5 and Top 25 respectively, by U.S. News & World Report.
University enhancement – $1.6 million to support the third and final year of New College of Florida’s growth plan, $12 million for Florida Atlantic University’s plan to ascend into the top 100 in U.S. News & World Report, $10 million for the University of North Florida’s plan to expand academic support programs and fund other student success initiatives, $10 million for Florida Gulf Coast University’s plan to improve graduation and retention rates and other metrics, and $15 million for student success and research excellence initiatives at Florida International University.
University lab schools – The University of Florida PK Yonge Lab School and Florida Atlantic University Henderson Lab School each received $11.5 million for facility improvements.
Facts about the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors
The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The system has 12 universities and more than 345,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the system’s coordination and operation. The Board appoints a Chancellor who serves as the system’s chief executive. For more, visit flbog.edu, think-florida.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
