USF supporters decry proposal for New College to take over Sarasota-Manatee campus

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee advocates are speaking out against the proposed takeover by the New College of Florida.

The proposal — a draft bill included in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ $117 billion 2026-27 state budget — would force USF Sarasota-Manatee to hand over its buildings and facilities to New College by July 2026.

New College’s Dec. 17 public meeting focused on the campus’s new master plan, but two speakers during public comment, including former USFSM President Laurey Stryker, raised concerns about the proposed takeover.

“You argue that new land and facilities are needed, but you are asking our employees and community to sacrifice the campus that offers 40 accredited undergraduate programs,” Stryker said.

Meanwhile, USFSM is in the midst of a campus growth, including its first on-campus dormitory, which opened last year and cost $43.9 million. The university branch also recently broke ground on a $6.5 million STEM facility.

Along with the buildings and facilities on USFSM’s campus, New College would also take on USF’s $53 million debt from the new dorm building if the draft bill becomes law.

New College President Richard Corcoran addressed the proposal at the Dec. 17 meeting.

“(DeSantis) has language in there for the USF campus, which is significant. … It’s exciting because it’s move-in ready,” Corcoran said. “That’s going to go through the legislative process. His budget is a recommendation, but obviously he’s been a tremendous advocate for New College and what’s going on here, so we feel pretty good about that.”

Two public comments at the meeting pertained to DeSantis’ proposal for New College to take over USFSM.

Jonathan Scott Perry, an associate professor at USFSM and the vice president of the USF Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, criticized New College’s direction and leadership.

“In three years, this board and this president have turned a once-renowned institution into a national embarrassment and a disgrace to academics everywhere,” Perry said.

After the board directed Perry to focus his comments on the campus master plan, he raised opposition to the master plan and the USFSM proposal.

“And now there is a proposal to reward this grossly incompetent and scandal-ridden leadership with the property, facilities and prestige of my campus to add to your North Campus,” Perry said. “It is outrageous that anyone would contemplate throwing good money after very bad money in such a way.”

Stryker, who served as USFSM’s president from 2000 to 2007, said she supports New College’s expansion, but not by way of taking USFSM’s facilities.

“Today I’m speaking for dozens of former and current USF supporters about the New College master plan,” Stryker said. “The plan, mentioned at a number of NCF board meetings, is to evict our 2,000 local students, 300 faculty and staff in exchange for the property and facilities.”

Stryker continued, “The campus and dorm donors, legislators, student fees and employees built this campus over the past 25 years. But the governor has now formally proposed this plan to take over the campus.”

Stryker also sent a letter to the Bradenton Herald, signed by 25 USFSM supporters, including current and former board members, regional chancellors and student government representatives.

“Just last fall, we opened our first on-campus residence hall and student center — critical steps toward expanding opportunity and elevating student life,” part of the letter reads. “These hard-won gains will not be surrendered.”

The USFSM branch’s first on-campus dorm, which opened last year, is a six-story, 100,000-square-foot building with a residence hall, student center and other amenities.

About 50,000 students are enrolled at USF across its three campuses, including about 2,000 students at the USFSM campus, according to WUSF.

If the proposal is approved by the Legislature, USF would give New College the 11 buildings on USFSM’s 32-acre campus by July. However, “intellectual property” and staff would be retained by USF.

At a USF board of trustees meeting on Dec. 11, chairperson Will Weatherford said the decision is out of USF’s control.

“This is a policy matter that’s going to be discussed, debated and worked through over the coming months of the legislative session,” Weatherford said. “We don’t control the outcome of that discussion.”

According to Corcoran, DeSantis also earmarked $25 million in recurring funds for the college, and about $30 million for a new multipurpose building in the upcoming state budget.

“It’s the best governor’s budget (recommendation) we’ve ever had,” Corcoran said.