Florida’s State School Budget Battle Rages Onward

Angela Januzzi

September 13, 2007 

Due to months of recent moves by Florida Governor Charlie Crist to decrease state financial support for public colleges and universities, it was not surprising when Florida community college funding was cut substantially last week.

However, though the cut by Crist was anticipated, in no way was the measure’s support bolstered by such expectations. Rather, the $43.5million budget cut reinforced how much Florida community colleges are lacking a representative to defend their interests. of But The 11-campus state university system has recently been usurped by the Florida Board of Governors, but the Florida community colleges have been lacking a chancellor since July.

E. Ann McGee, the president of Seminole Community College, argues that: “We have the same issues that the universities have with the budget cuts, but we’ve had nobody to speak up for us.” Indeed, the cuts seem to come with little logistical support: the enrollment of Florida community colleges has increased by 7.2 percent throughout its 28 campuses for the 2007 fall semester. More than ever, an organized system of enrollment management is emerging as necessary for school sustainability.

Source: Guess, Andy. “New Front In Florida’s Budget Wars.” www.insidehighered.com. Posted: September 13, 2007.