UCF, FIU med schools lose money under Crist proposal

The fledgling medical schools at FIU and UCF would not get state funding this year, under a nearly $300-million list of proposed university system cuts that Gov. Charlie Crist released today.

Crist recommends delaying $10.2-million in startup money that UCF and FIU are depending on to get their recently approved medical schools up and running.

"By delaying the implementation of these
new programs, funding for established, core program instruction can be preserved," say the notes on his spreadsheet of proposed cuts.

Crist also recommends cutting $4-million that lawmakers had approved for hiring top-notch faculty at UF and FSU. He also recommends cutting an $18-million in the popular Bright Futures scholarship program.

That surplus was a result of Crist vetoing a 5 percent in-state undergraduate tuition increase.

But if that surplus is cut, it could cost thousands of Bright Futures recipients come January, when the Board of Governors plans to ignore the veto and raise tuition by up to 5 percent anyway.

If there's no Bright Futures money to cover the hike, about $55 for a 15-credit semester, will families  just have to cover the difference?

Comments

[Disappointed Knight]

Great. Seminole Crist tries to keep the Knights in their place, sans medical school funding. Give me a break.

Our first post-Jeb Bush governor is turning out to be a real winner...with out of state celebrities.

[Tom]

Yeah right. As if we need TWO more freaking med schools. It's pure pork. And the guys done nothing for FSU except make cuts.

Tom,
you are an idiot. The largest metropolitan area in the country without a med school is not pork. If you want to talk about pork...having a level 1 trauma center in Alachua county. Orlando deserves a med school.

[Erik Libby]

As a parent of a child attending college on a well earned Bright Futures scholarship,I am to say the least disappointed. Close the loopholes that allow businesses undeserved tax breaks instead of cuts in funding for education, Alzheimer's treatment (Byrd Center), cancer tx (Moffitt).

Yes just more examples of compassionnate conservatism. "I feel your pain said out of one side of mouth while giving lavish breaks to friends in business community." This state get low ratings for not protecting the needs of the old, the young, and the disabled of Florida.

[RobertS]

I guess Crist wants to pad Companies coffers over funding Bright Futures S'Ships or funding Medical Schools... I wish he would vist an Airport restroom and get caught... I can't believe I voted for this moron.

[Sideshow]

I sure hope Crist finds other ways to maintain balance budget because both Bright Futures S'ships and BOTH medical school funding is needed to keep research AND doctors in Florida. Medical schools and TORT REFORM are needed in Florida to impvove the doctor to patient ratio.

[Orlando Voter...]

All I can say is getting a college degree is not a right, so raise tuition, and keep the scholarships at the current funding so that you can fund these needed medical schools. I paid for much of my education, this generation can do the same if they want a degree.

Crist has lost my vote for life with this move. He has not shown me any leadership at all. Bring back Jeb, at least he knew what he was doing.

[Kevin]

Tuition in Florida is already cheaper than everywhere else in the country and and anyone with have a brain gets bright futures. People who keep pushing for lower tuition are killing our public university system. Raise Tuition!!

[Stephen]

As someone who worked on this election team here in Tampa and helped him get elected in this state, I am done with him. His promises of lower taxes are crap, his promises of lower property insurance is crap and now he wants to axe the medical schools the state approved. Tell me Charlie, who is going to pay for all the building that UCF is already started. Are you going to pay the carrying cost on all that land and construction the extra year. I will cost the state a hell of a lot more than $10 million.

Charlie, time to go.

[Crystal]

Governor,
You have made a huge mistake in trying to cut the two new medical schools.