New College of Florida

New College of Florida plans to divert $2.5 million from its auxiliary housing fund to help build a new baseball field, despite the campus facing an ongoing student housing shortage.

Richard Corcoran is among the highest-paid university presidents in Florida despite leading one of the smallest schools. Meanwhile, the Florida House approved a bill that would give the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College.

President Moez Limayem echoed prior comments made by USF leadership on the contentious issue of transferring the Sarasota campus to nearby New College.

USF Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford wrote his opposition to moving any funds to New College but conceded "finding space for New College's expansion are priorities for the state.”

The bonus comes despite scrutiny about the college's spending, which nearly doubled from about $53 million in 2021 to about $93 million in 2025.

A couple of college challenges are in the spotlight. We get an update on the New College-USF controversy and learn about the growing concern of student food insecurity.

Student government representing all three USF campuses passed a resolution saying it should be involved in the decision-making after the idea appeared in Gov. Ron DeSantis's proposed budget.

Nathan Allen, who resigned as a vice president at New College in 2024, says it’s “nuts” to assume $53 million in debt against no added revenue, yet “that's what's happening.”

The city of Sarasota typically protects grand trees, but says it can't intervene.

The proposed deal is in the hands of state lawmakers, who began their annual session this week.

The city of Sarasota requires a permit to take down what are called grand trees, including live oaks, in most cases.

In addition to selecting the former UF and Ohio State coach, the governor reappointed Mark Bauerlein and Debra Jenks to the board of the Sarasota school. Appointments require state Senate confirmation.