USF Sarasota-Manatee

USF leadership has promised to be transparent and said it has plans for a teach-out of current students. They have created an initial list of FAQ's should the transfer get final approval later this week.

The House and Senate reached agreement late Sunday night on several issues, including a plan to transfer control of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida, which the House wanted but the Senate resisted until late in budget negotiations.

Leaders in the House and Senate are in closed door negotiations on the budget, which could result in USF's 32-acre campus being given to New College, along with $53 million in debt from building dorms.

Differences between the House and Senate stem from the approach to funding for preeminent research universities, including USF, and the move of USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College.

Four chambers of commerce, from Venice to Lakewood Ranch, warn of the fallout of losing a USF campus in the Sarasota-Manatee region.

Moez Limayem gave an update on the proposed transfer of USF Sarasota-Manatee’s 32 acres, including dorms and buildings, to New College of Florida, USF’s smaller neighbor in the state university system.

Lakeland residents face higher electric bills, while a Senate bill transferring USF Sarasota-Manatee land to New College vanishes — leaving both energy costs and campus plans in uncertainty.

Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the 32-acre Sarasota-Manatee campus of USF to be given to New College of Florida, where he installed a new board of trustees in 2023.

They gathered on the campus to say they don't want to see the school taken over and that there's still time to save it.

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.”