USF Sarasota-Manatee

A backdoor plan to hand the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College was revealed in public records last year and eventually dissolved. Observers have anticipated the issue could come up again.

Support for USF Sarasota-Manatee came from students, faculty, former leaders of the campus and members of the business community.

Last month, we learned the school uses about 10 times more in tax dollars per degree than other state universities. A comparison of graduates' median wages gives a little insight into the value of those sheepskins.

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.

Sarasota state Sen. Joe Gruters told the Tampa Bay Times the leading scenario is New College "ruling the day."

The new Atala Hall marks a new chapter for what used to be a commuter school. Officials hope this will raise the profile of the tight-knit campus along Sarasota Bay.

The Manatee County school district partners with USF to offer intensive experiences in classrooms for education undergraduates — and it is one of the few programs in Florida to pay interns.

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 campus' new residence hall will house 200 students and offer three types of living accommodations.

Dormitory construction prompts a change in plan, and relocation to Sarasota National Cemetery.