Florida universities are hiring hundreds of new faculty in push for smaller classes, more prestige
Florida universities are hiring hundreds of new faculty in push for smaller classes, more prestige
State lawmakers with grand visions for Florida schools have generously funded higher education in recent years, allowing for the hiring wave. The serious investment in research and talent underscores the collective drive to catapult Florida's universities into the upper echelons of academia — sooner rather than later. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Gainesville Sun.
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A tale of two schools
Palm Beach County boasts two schools founded and supported by local billionaires. See profiles of The Greene School and Oxbridge Academy of The Palm Beaches. [Source: Florida Trend]
Lack of broadband hurts higher ed in rural areas
The lack of high-speed internet services in many rural areas is one of the challenges hindering Florida’s efforts to increase college degrees and spur economic development, a new report shows. Some 680,000 Floridians do not have access to a broadband internet service that would allow information to be downloaded at minimum speed of 25 megabits per second. [Source: Panama City News Herald]
Taking a solar eclipse day? Some school districts say students can stay home
Following suit of other Tampa Bay-area school districts, Hernando County will grant students an excused absence for Monday's solar eclipse should they want to stay home to watch it. Several Jacksonville area school districts are also altering the school day. More from the Tampa Bay Times and Action News Jax.
See also:
» Solar eclipse rules set for South Florida schools opening day
» Florida State to distribute 4,000 solar glasses for student eclipse event
UF denies white nationalist Richard Spencer a campus platform
Citing “serious concerns for campus safety,” the University of Florida has denied a request from white nationalist Richard Spencer to rent space for a Sept. 12 event. In a statement, UF President Kent Fuchs said the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, influenced the decision. See the letter from UF President Kent Fuchs, here. Also read more at the Gainesville Sun and the AP.
› Florida International University appoints local business leaders to its Foundation Board of Directors [South Florida Business Journal]
Florida International University has appointed four alumni as officers of its Foundation Board of Directors. Richard Brilliant, Humberto “Burt” Cabañas, Andre L. Teixeira and Jill M. Granat have been selected as officers, tasked with leading philanthropic initiatives for FIU.
› ICUF institutions announce expansion of online degree programs [Florida Trend]
The Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) today announced a significant increase in availability of online degree programs offered by member institutions across the state.
› Sarasota County’s only D school is under fire [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The only school in the Sarasota County School District to receive a D grade from the Florida Department of Education this year presented its tentative plan for raising the grade to the School Board on Tuesday morning.
› University of West Florida announces Florida Cyber Range virtual platform [Pensacola News-Journal]
A new virtual platform aiming to reverse the scarcity of qualified cybersecurity professionals across the United States is now headquartered at the University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity.
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