Richard Corcoran

The Florida Board of Governors approved New College of Florida's accountability plan, which lowered performance expectations.

The state university system’s Board of Governors on Thursday gave Corcoran, who was tapped as interim president earlier this year, the final go-ahead for the presidential post.

Richard Corcoran is in line for a potential confirmation in November. Final steps in leadership changes at the University of Florida and the University of West Florida are also slated.

The five-year compensation package puts him on par with the state's highest-paid college president, at the University of Florida. UF has over 55,000 students. Less than 700 attend New College.

New College of Florida lost double the amount of students this year compared to the past two years. Interim Provost Brad Thiessen wrote in a report to faculty it was "by far" the lowest retention rate the Sarasota school has seen.

The Republican former state House speaker and Florida education commissioner has served as interim president since March.

Dean of Students David Rancourt said the New College Board of Trustees is expected to make a decision on the president during an Oct. 3 meeting.

New College of Florida interim president Richard Corcoran defended his leadership and the conservative direction the school has taken during a Tampa Tiger Bay Club event on Friday. The former state lawmaker is one of three finalists to become the new president at the Sarasota school.

Here's what students and faculty can expect as New College of Florida students and faculty begin their first new academic year following sweeping changes.

The Sarasota-based group says a higher education law passed by Florida legislators, amounts to academic censorship.

New College of Florida officials on Thursday interviewed three finalists to become the school's president, including interim President Richard Corcoran.

Richard Corcoran, a former state representative, House speaker and education commissioner, has served as the interim president at New College of Florida since February.