Gov. Rick Scott must have gotten a surprise Thursday. Though he didn't say if he would step in tounilaterally take corrective action, he at least let it be known that hes disappointed.
A day after Scott said he would be surprised if the 17-member state Board of Governors, of which the governor appoints 14, would approve significant tuition hikes for the states 11 universities, four were given the maximum increase allowed.
The four are Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, University of Central Florida and New College.
Another three -- University of North Florida, University of West Florida and Florida State University -- had their requests for the maximum hike allowed by law -- 15 percent -- knocked down 1 or 2 percentage points.
Florida Gulf Coast University, which asked for 14 percent, received a 12 percent increase.
After the individual votes, Scott released a statement in which he reiterated his call to make Floridas universities more affordable and declared that he was disappointed in the results.
Tuition has risen 71 percent over the past four years and graduates are facing unprecedented levels of debt. We cant continue on this path, Scott stated in a release.
It is my priority to keep the cost of living low for Floridians and have an education system that produces the most competitive, highly skilled work force in the world. And I expect our universities and the Board of Governors to seek those same goals.
With the public universities facing a collective $300 million reduction in funding from the state in the next year, board member Tico Perez said the schools cant continue to afford quality education with less and less.
Meanwhile, board member Richard Beard said that a university education should be earned.
This is not an entitlement, Beard said. This is something people have to earn.
Florida A&M University, which was criticized earlier this week by the board for low graduation rates and admitting large numbers of students who fail to meet basic admissions standards, received a 12 percent increase, down from the 15 percent requested.
The University of Florida, which sought a 9 percent increase, and the University of South Florida, seeking 11 percent, were granted the requested amount.
With the average tuition in Florida at $5,626 a year -- 45th among the 50 states -- the numbers approved Thursday mean most of Floridas full-time public university students -- those taking more than 30 credit hours -- should see tuition grow more than $250 for both the spring and fall semesters.
Trustees, expressing concerns that the state universities could face a reduction in bond ratings as its revenues decline, argued for the higher rates despite the request earlier in the week from Scott, who has opposed the hikes.
University of Florida
Approved 9 percent. Requested 9 percent.
University of South Florida
Approved 11 percent. Requested 11 percent.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Approved 12 percent. Requested 14 percent.
University of North Florida
Approved 13 percent. Requested 15 percent.
Florida Atlantic University
Approved 15 percent. Requested 15 percent.
University of West Florida
Approved 14 percent. Requested 15 percent.
New College of Florida
Approved 15 percent. Requested 15 percent.
Florida International University
Approved 15 percent. Requested 15 percent.
Florida State University
Approved 13 percent. Requested 15 percent.
Florida A&M University
Approved 12 percent. Requested 15 percent.
University of Central Florida
Approved 15 percent. Requested 15 percent.
Each university has five days to appeal.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
