USF Board of Trustees

Griffin, a 2002 USF graduate, will serve a two-year term after serving as acting chair since April, when Will Weatherford announced he would leave the position.

A facilities plan and a joint transfer agreement for the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus were approved. It includes buildings, classroom furniture and fixtures. Not included are students and employees.

Redbird Capital and Tampa-based Weatherford Capital, as part of their Collegiate Athletic Solutions partnership, will provide a $12.5 million infusion and help create more commercial revenue for the Big 12.

Vice Chair Mike Griffin, known as "Mr. USF," will lead the board, pending elections. Weatherford, who will remain as trustee, led the panel during a period of unprecidented institutional growth.

Gov. Ron DeSantis named Chad Mizelle to the board and reappointed three others. The state Senate must still confirm the selections.

The arrangement with Collegiate Athletic Solutions, a platform co‑founded by Tampa‑based Weatherford Capital, would give each school access to a $30 million line of credit while supporting conference operations.

This is the fee non-Florida residents pay on top of the school's tuition. USF is the fifth state university to approve the change.

The University of South Florida Board of Trustees approved spending $348.5 million for the stadium, with plans to expand it in size and possibly go beyond offering just college football.

The cost to build USF's new on-campus football stadium — currently approved for $340 million — might go up.

In compliance with the law, gen ed courses cannot include curriculum “based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent."

The plan was approved at a meeting of the Board of Trustees Finance Committee on Wednesday. University officials emphasize this plan is "very very preliminary."

The University of South Florida is one of many schools forced to phase out diversity, equity, and inclusion offices thanks to a new state law. But USF officials say the school will remain diverse.