New College of Florida

Eric Silagy, the former CEO of Florida Power & Light, says the oversight body is tasked with making sure taxpayer dollars are well spent, but he hasn't been briefed on either initiative.

Professors, alumni and local leaders are among those scheduled to speak at another event on Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside in Bradenton.

A basic search of Sarasota County’s clerk of court records would have turned up all three cases. Nothing in Piccolo’s personnel file suggests New College checked that source.

Fred Piccolo, Jr. also faces charges in Sarasota County for walking naked in department stores at University Town Center Mall.

The firing comes amid heightened U.S.–China tensions and growing scrutiny of Chinese nationals in American academic institutions.

The college said the decision followed changes in event logistics, such as the unavailability of the previously planned venue, the Sarasota Opera House.

Calling it "a bad deal which makes no sense," signatories include campus board members as well as donors and former leaders of the school.

John Horne talked about the value of training college students in hospitality and management as well as having those students get jobs locally after graduation.

His letter of dismissal said his country of origin made him ineligible for employment at New College.

Said New College trustee Ron Christaldi, a prominent Tampa lawyer and GOP political donor: "New College’s vision is to continue to grow and expand … and it needs more space to do that.”

An emergency meeting of faculty and administrators was held Thursday, but it did not assuage fears among some USF professors.

Ben Brown said he was forced to step down from his post of two years after alumni concerns over mismanaged funds were repeatedly ignored.