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Florida's university system looks for funding boost

Florida’s university system looks for funding boost

The Florida Board of Governors is ready to consider a $5.2 billion budget request for the state university system for next year, representing a 3.6 percent increase in spending and including $75 million in additional state performance funding. [Source: Gainesville Sun]

See also:
» Florida Board of Education to consider budget request with no change in tax rates

Florida universities get higher marks on U.S. News rankings

For another year, the University of Florida was ranked as the best college in the state. Nationwide, the home of the Gators is 35th, up from 42nd last year. Florida International University saw the biggest jump in the new list. The Miami school is ranked 187th, up from 216th in the last list. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

See also:
» USF climbs to its highest ranking ever from U.S. News & World Report
» FSU earns No. 26, edging closer to Top 25 ranking in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges"
» Here’s how Florida’s undergrad business programs stack up nationally

Which college degrees are the most and least valuable to Floridians?

If you’re struggling to find your passion, Bankrate.com has a new list out that could help. The financial advice company has identified the most and least valuable college degrees. So even if you don’t know what you want to become, the list can help you avoid some careers that don’t pay that well or have high unemployment rates. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Tuition differential fee a big chunk of Florida college bills

Florida's public university system remains one of the cheapest in the nation when it comes to in-state tuition and fees. But some may be surprised to find out how much of the bill is made up of fees. According to the State University System of Florida Board of Governors, the average fee for a resident undergraduate taking 30 credit hours a year is $2,953. [Source: NBC Miami]

More Florida counties are voting to raise local taxes for schools. Is it a message to lawmakers?

Around the state, even in some heavily conservative counties, voters are opening their wallets to lend extra support to their schools. Of 10 local education funding measures on the Aug. 28 ballot, every single one passed. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Charter schools struggle with teacher shortages in Florida
While the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools says it does not track data on teacher shortages in charter schools, many charter school officials in Florida say it is an ongoing struggle.

› Florida Tech to celebrate 60th anniversary
Florida Tech began its existence with its first classes held Sept. 22, 1958, as Brevard Engineering College. Founded by space center scientist Jerry Keuper, the “night school for missilemen” was originally designed to offer graduate degrees for Cape Canaveral workers.

› University of Florida system assesses disaster damage faster
The university’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences food and resource economics department recently debuted a comprehensive online assessment form for hurricane, flood, drought, wildfire and other large-scale disasters to help university Extension staff assess damages.

› Software auditors stymied by Manatee School District staff
Auditors tasked with monitoring a massive software implementation in the Manatee County School District were kept in the dark by school district administrators, and School Board directives to hire more staff to oversee the project were ignored, according to an update by the district’s internal audit.