Dear Florida Poly community,
University President
As I’m sure you’ve heard, there is a bill proposed in the House of Representatives to merge Florida Poly with the University of Florida. We were made aware of the legislation yesterday late in the afternoon along with everyone else. We are working closely with our colleagues in Tallahassee, our public affairs team and our Legislative Delegation as we monitor the process throughout today and the upcoming weeks.
This is the University statement at this time – we will keep you informed and updated as we get any further information.
Respecting every taxpayer dollar and maximizing the impact of those dollars is clearly at the heart of this legislative proposal. But the facts and the truth show that every dollar at Florida Polytechnic University is already having a maximum positive impact. That’s why we respectfully and strongly oppose this unnecessary and unwarranted legislation. We stand behind the fact that we have accomplished, and continue to accomplish, great things as a separate, unique institution within the State University System. Florida’s future lies in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and Florida Poly offers a core STEM education available nowhere else in our state. In its young life, Florida Poly has been doing the job it was created for. Our projections show enrollment growth, and applications have nearly doubled. This university has a substantial economic impact for the benefit of all of Florida, and our recently earned ABET accreditation is a testimony to the high standards of our academic degrees. A recent study showed that Florida Poly grads can expect a return on their investment that is more than three times larger than the other universities in the system. It would be a profound mistake, for our current and future students – and for the state of Florida – to diminish Florida Poly’s role in meeting this important state objective.
Please know that things can change quickly in Tallahassee, so please reach out if you hear anything or have any questions. All of us have worked incredibly hard to build this University, and I’m confident we will continue to do so.
Best,
Randy Avent
University President