Thrasher fund request

This will make FSU fans happy, but it is highly unlikely to pass.  It is more of a 'well, we tried type of effort.'  The state doesn't reward general "fund us better" general requests.....basically, except for  Preeminent (that UF got pushed through and was more STEM targeted) money, it doesn't happen.  At this level, it really wont' happen.

FSU would of been much better off pushing a more research based SPECIFIC type of request.  The legislature simply won't give more money to general requests.  If, even a % of money is going to an area that the legislature isn't laser focused on now (ie STEM), then they will not make this funding happen.  If FSU said "it's all going to STEM"....then maybe they had a shot, but this is avoided at FSU because the faculty is not pro STEM (politics).  Sad because FSU won't win out here because of it.

Hopefully, the Gov doesn't punish FSU for mentioning tuition increases.  While I love the concept, the Gov has AGGRESSIVELY punished anyone who went against him on this topic. 


http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2016/09/23/fsu-requesting-legislators-70-million-funding-next-year/90917964/

Florida State University President John Thrasher this week said the State University System might eventually have to raise tuition to meet Florida’s goals of having the best schools in the country.

Thrasher made the brief comment in response to questions from members of the Board of Governors following FSU’s presentation on its plans to become a top 25 public university.

Thrasher and his leadership team presented their goals to the Florida Board of Governors on Wednesday. The governing body of the State University System had asked FSU about its plans to reach the Top 25 of public universities. University of Florida administrators were asked to about their goals to reach the Top 10.

Thrasher said FSU is asking the Legislature for more than $70 million in the upcoming legislative session.

Fueled by a recent U.S. News & World Report ranking of 38th among public universities across the country, Thrasher says the school is edging closer to breaking the top 25.


With graduation and retention rates improving, research money flowing in and its national reputation for academics strengthening, FSU already is performing as well as some of the universities in the top 25.

But what FSU needs most is more state money to shore up its roster of top researchers focused on pre-eminence scholarship and discoveries, more money to hire professors and keep its current faculty and funding to offer lucrative benefits for graduate assistants.

“We believe we are headed in the right direction,” Thrasher told governors during their meeting in Sarasota. “Where we have lagged behind is in areas of financial resources. It’s not a criticism of our friends in the Legislature. Pre-eminence funding is allowing us to get to our goal. We are only 13 shy of our goal at 38th.”


Thrasher said FSU has been successful in making gains in academics and student success, while at the same time, being “efficient” in spending. It also has eliminated about 30 programs that weren’t producing the returns expected of the university.

“We take pride in our efficiency, but resource limitations are the primary reason we are not already in the Top 25,” Thrasher said.

In response to a question clarifying the $70-million price tag, Thrasher said, “These are big numbers, no question about it. Our faculty is understaffed and limiting our ability to move forward.”


Compared to other more highly ranked universities, Provost Sally McRorie said, FSU ranks in the bottom third or worse in how its resources match up, but it rates near the top in all performance measures.

McRorie outlined the $70-million request and how it would enhance FSU’s core mission of focusing on instruction, research and student success.

McRorie said with these additional resources, FSU would make significant leaps in improving student-to-faculty ratio; increase class offerings without overburdening faculty; increasing the number and quality of graduate students; of graduate students by 25 percent and increase expenditures per student.

Governors listened supportively to the presentation, which was an information session, and didn’t require board action.


BOG chairman Tom Kuntz pressed Thrasher on what impact previous allocations of preeminence money has had on the student-to-faculty ratio.

FSU has averaged a 26-1 for the last three years, Thrasher said.

McRorie said FSU is ranked 178 nationally among public universities in student-to-teacher ratio and projected that FSU could increase to 146 with the new resources. When looking at classes under 20, FSU is ranked 133 among public universities, which could be improved to 27 with the additional hires.

Board member H. Wayne Huizenga Jr. asked if the $70-million request would be recurring. Thrasher answered, “yes.”


“I have a feeling that $70 million in recurring funds is not going to get you in the top 25,” said board member Dean Colson.

Huizenga said his research shows FSU’s set tuition of $4,640 woefully below that of comparable universities such as the University of Minnesota, Rutgers and the University of Pittsburgh.

“I think there will be a time when our universities are going to have to address, ‘do we need to increase tuition,’ “ Thrasher said.

But that is not likely, given Gov. Rick Scott’s adamant opposition to any increase in tuition and fees for students in the state college or university system.

In previous meetings, BOG members have said universities need to focus more on belt-tightening, reducing duplicate programs and promoting online education as cost-cutting measures.

BOG chairman Tom Kuntz pointed out he didn’t hear more of FSU’s plans to broaden its offerings of online courses and degree programs.

“It seems like Florida State has not been leading the charge in this area of online education,” Kuntz said.

McRorie said it’s an area where FSU seeks to make improvements. She said the university is hiring a new director for its Center for Teaching Excellence following the previous director’s retirement.

That person’s role will be to focus on overall teaching at FSU, including “excellence in distance learning.”

“We are getting there,” Thrasher added.

The full board Thursday also approved the University of Central Florida’s plan to become part of the Emerging Preeminent State Research Universities Program, created this year by legislators.

Contact senior writer Byron Dobson at bdobson@tallahassee.com and follow him on Twitter @byrondobson.


FSU's $70 million legislative request
Preeminence: $20 million. This would go toward hiring 88
prominent faculty members who are focused on research and securing researching money. They would be placed in “interdisciplinary clusters” where increased research is needed.

This preeminence money also would go toward investing in student success-driven programs.

While FSU is focusing on recruiting top students such as National Merit Scholars, it also is committed to recruiting underserved students to provide a diverse student body.

FSU has received a total of $35 million in preeminence funding over the past four years, as has the University of Florida. FSU is asking the Florida Legislature for $20 million more in preeminence funding this year.

Student-to-faculty ratio: $20 million. This money would go toward hiring 162 new professors. This would help reduce over-sized classes. FSU’s student-to-faculty ratio is current 25 to 1. FSU hopes to reach 21 to 1 with the new funding.

Faculty retention: $11.5 million: This money would go toward incentives to keep its existing faculty.

Graduate students and post-doctoral appointments: $18.5 million. This would add 100 postdoctoral scholars focused on STEM research; provide for 300 fully-paid new graduate assistants. Money also would be used to make employment more attractive by providing these positions with better stipends and increasing waivers.