Future UWF Trustees must be Florida resident or alum

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Florida’s House Education & Employment Committee passed an amended HB 1321, which Rep. Michelle Salzman filed to increase transparency and accountability in the state’s higher education system.

Amendment: The Committee’s substitute bill included this provision:

Effective January 6, 2027, an appointed member of the Board of Governors (BOG) or a University Board of Trustee (UBOT) must be a United States citizen and either a Florida resident or, for the BOG, a graduate of a state university or, for a UBOT, a graduate of the state university.

On or after January 6, 2027, a position on the BOG or a UBOT that is held by a person who does not meet the residency requirements will be deemed vacant.

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCHES

A key provision repeals public records exemptions for presidential searches at state universities and colleges. Since education represents Florida’s second-largest budget expenditure, she argued these important decisions should be transparent to taxpayers.

“This bill is a restructuring of the Board of Governors as well as the authorities that lie underneath them… It repeals public records and public meeting exemption for presidential searches at state universities and state colleges,” Salzman explained. “A couple of years ago we created this shade, if you will, in the legislature and we found that when we did that some of the activities or guidelines and structures of how they choose the university presidents was changed in their operational procedures, which created the entire process to be in the shade.”

Since education represents Florida’s second-largest budget expenditure, she argued these important decisions should be transparent to taxpayers.

OTHER ELEMENTS

The bill also addresses student concerns by requiring all courses to post syllabi before registration, helping students make informed decisions without having to drop or add classes after the term begins.

Term limits form another significant component: Board of Governors members will serve seven-year terms, State Board of Education members four years, and university trustees five years, all limited to two terms. Additionally, board chairs can only serve in that position for two years and for one term only.

To prevent leadership gaps, the legislation allows board members to continue serving until replacements are appointed.

AFL-CIO representative Dr. Rich Templin spoke in support, noting the bill would help restore self-governance by involving various stakeholders including students, community members, and business leaders.

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Future UWF Board of Trustees must be Florida resident or alum

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCHES

OTHER ELEMENTS

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