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University President <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
As I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard, there is a bill proposed in the\nHouse of Representatives to merge Florida Poly with the University of Florida.\nWe were made aware of the legislation yesterday late in the afternoon along\nwith everyone else. We are working closely with our colleagues in Tallahassee,\nour public affairs team and our Legislative Delegation as we monitor the\nprocess throughout today and the upcoming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the University statement at this time \u2013 we\nwill keep you informed and updated as we get any further information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Respecting\nevery taxpayer dollar and maximizing the impact of those dollars is clearly at\nthe heart of this legislative proposal. But the facts and the truth show that\nevery dollar at Florida Polytechnic University is already having a maximum\npositive impact. That\u2019s why we respectfully and strongly oppose this\nunnecessary and unwarranted legislation. We stand behind the fact that we have\naccomplished, and continue to accomplish, great things as a separate, unique\ninstitution within the State University System. Florida\u2019s future lies in the\nfields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and Florida Poly\noffers a core STEM education available nowhere else in our state. In its young\nlife, Florida Poly has been doing the job it was created for. Our projections\nshow enrollment growth, and applications have nearly doubled. This university\nhas a substantial economic impact for the benefit of all of Florida, and our\nrecently earned ABET accreditation is a testimony to the high standards of our\nacademic degrees. A recent study showed that Florida Poly grads can expect a return\non their investment that is more than three times larger than the other\nuniversities in the system. It would be a profound mistake, for our\ncurrent and future students \u2013 and for the state of Florida \u2013 to diminish\nFlorida Poly\u2019s role in meeting this important state objective.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Please know that things can change quickly in Tallahassee,\nso please reach out if you hear anything or have any questions. All of us have\nworked incredibly hard to build this University, and I\u2019m confident we will\ncontinue to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best,
\nRandy Avent
\nUniversity President<\/p>\n\n\n\n