Florida Universities

The board governing Florida's universities voted Thursday to remove sociology as a general education offering at the state's public universities, leaving it available as an elective course.

FSU Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins said there is a need for the college athletic system nationally to have firm guidelines that include penalties for violators of NIL or revenue sharing.

The proposal requires preeminent state universities to reserve 95% of new fall undergraduate enrollments to students from Florida, an increase from the current 90% requirement for all universities.

More than 500 foreigners were employed as of last year at Florida public and private universities under the program.

The new president greeted students, passed out stickers and outlined big-picture plans for the University of South Florida.

The bill comes after a shooting during the 2025 legislative session, where a student killed two people and wounded five others at Florida State University.

A measure would, among other things, prevent partisan political parties and fundraising at public institutions, which the sponsors say belong to the taxpayers. Some say it would restrict free speech on college campuses.

The governor says he wants the Florida Supreme Court and not the American Bar Association to be the accreditor for law schools in Florida.

Sen. Don Gaetz is sponsoring the legislation, entitled "School Safety," to address security concerns in higher education. If passed, the bill would remove college campuses as gun-free zones — marking a significant shift in how Florida handles gun issues.

DeSantis is also calling for increased campus security and continued his call to slash property taxes.

Programs that made the cut, like lawyers and doctors, can borrow up to $200,000. Those that did not, including nurses, can borrow half that.

The online education pioneer has selected St. Petersburg for its first standalone, immersive in-person learning site in its 54-year history.