Gators for Higher Education
Spring 2016 Update
Thanks to the strong support and involvement of our Gators for Higher Ed (G4HE) advocates, the University of Florida is well positioned to become a top research university. Please find important updates about the University of Florida below, including how the university fared this legislative session.
2016 LEGISLATIVE RECAP
The 2016 Florida Legislative Session ended last month. The State Budget, as passed by the Florida Legislature, totaled $82 billion with $4.7 billion carved out for Florida’s 12 public universities for operations and fixed capital outlay. The following are highlights from the budget:
Preeminence — $10 million
This additional funding will facilitate the hiring of 50 more faculty including junior faculty, to ensure UF’s continued success for the next generation. This will bolster the 93 Preeminent faculty hired to date. Since UF received the Preeminence designation in 2013, UF has attained Top 10 status in five areas: System Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Plant Pathology, Wildlife Ecology, and Applied Physiology.
Performance Funding — $75 million for SUS with $15 million for UF
The Legislature’s recent policy of rewarding universities for outstanding performance has provided significant additional funding to UF over the past three years.
Fixed Capital Outlay – Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) projects — $51.9 million
Nexus Engineering Building — $13.8 million to renovate and expand a 50-year-old College of Engineering building. The project will enable UF to increase the number of engineering degrees and enhance research to encourage economic development.
Norman Hall — $14.1 million for critical maintenance needed for the College of Education’s Norman Hall. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Norman Hall was built in 1933 and has not been significantly updated in decades.
Other Maintenance and Repairs — $24 million
UF/IFAS Workload — $4 million
IFAS Workload provides funds for the increased demand for the research and extension activities in all 67 counties throughout Florida. In addition to the $4 million allocation, IFAS received more than $5.8 million for labs and facilities.
UF Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease — $750,000
These funds support research on neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The UF Lastinger Center — $2.4 million
The Lastinger Center at the College of Education received funding for its Math Nation, Algebra Nation educational tools, as well as a Winning Reading program.
New World School of the Arts — $650,000
The New World School of the Arts is a school for the visual and performing arts in Miami that is a joint venture between UF College of Fine Arts, Miami Dade College, and Miami Dade Public Schools.
TAKE ACTION GATORS!
The Gator Nation is everywhere! We appreciate the legislative support of higher education and the University of Florida. Please take a few minutes to contact your local state senator or representative to say thanks! You can find your legislator through the G4HE website. Check out the Advocacy tools for tips or contact us with any questions.
UNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS
Summer A/C classes start May 9. Summer B classes begin June 27 and Fall classes begin August 22.
Spring Commencement will continue to be held in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium as the O’Connell Center is under renovation. To learn more about the renovation, visit http://rising.oconnellcenter.ufl.edu/site/.
UF Board of Trustee Updates – We have several new members of our board of trustees including Mori Hosseini, Leonard Johnson and Marsha Powers. Hosseini, of Ormond Beach, is Chairman and CEO of ICI Homes, one of Florida’s largest residential homebuilders/developers. He is the former chairman and member of the Florida Board of Governors, among other public boards. Johnson, of Dade City, is an attorney with Barnett Bolt Kirkwood Long Koche. He is the president of Gator Boosters. Powers, of Ponte Vedra, is the CEO for Tenet Healthcare Corporation’s Florida Region. She also serves on the board for UF’s Public Health and Health Professions committee.
For more information on the UF Board of Trustees, please visit http://trustees.ufl.edu.
UF Deans Update – The College of Design, Construction & Planning have named Dr. Chimay Anumba as dean. His appointment will be effective August 1, 2016.
Find more great news about UF, campus activities, Gators in the news and more visit UF News.
UPCOMING GATOR EVENTS
Gators in Government – Join us for an ‘Orange and Blue Plate’ lunch and conversation. These luncheons are held in Tallahassee at rotating venues for our Gators working in state government.
Upcoming speakers include:
Tuesday, May 3, 2016 – Dr. David Norton, Vice President for Research
Tuesday, July 19, 2016 – Dr. Steven DeKosky, Deputy Director of the McKnight Brain Institute
More information can found on the UF Government Relations web site. Reservations are required. Please email Associate Vice President Marion Hoffmann, marionh@ufl.edu, to be added to our mailing list.
UF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWS
Gator Gatherings with Head Football Coach Jim McElwain and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mike White April 26 through June 29. For more details, including RSVP tools, visit Gator Gathering 2016 on the UFAA website.
For upcoming Alumni Association events and outreach in your area, please visit our Alumni Association at http://www.ufalumni.ufl.edu.
FEEDBACK
We welcome your feedback and suggestions on how we can improve. Please send your comments to g4he@ufl.edu or to Melissa Orth at maorth@ufl.edu.
We need Gators like you lending your voice and getting involved. Together we WILL make a difference! Thank you for supporting Gators for Higher Education and the University of Florida!