Forbes: Univ of FL athletic budget grows while computer science program is eliminated

[seafan]

From Kim Wilmath at Tampa Bay's The Buzz:


April 23, 2012


Forbes: UF athletic budget grows while computer science program is eliminated

We told you last week about a cost-cutting move at the University of Florida to eliminate a computer engineering program, with its students and faculty absorbed into another engineering program -- saving $1.7 million out of $4 million the department needs to cut in the wake of a $300 million cut across the state university system.

Now that news is going viral, with Forbes magazine this weekend pointing out that while UF prepares to slash that program, the university's athletic department's budget is growing by $2 million.

That's enough to cause outrage, with people across social media incredulously posting and re-posting the story. But there's another piece that adds fuel to the fire:

Scott just signed a bill that immediately creates Florida Polytechnic University, the pet project of departing Senate budget chairman JD Alexander. Why? Because Scott says a university focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is worth the investment.

"It is vital for the future of Florida's economy that we meet the need for a STEM educated workforce," Scott wrote in a memo explaining his decision.

Wonder what the UF engineering students think about that...

Confused yet?


'We don't need no steenkin' engineering programs.'



Florida exploded in outrage this weekend, over Rick Scott's handiwork last Friday. In the face of $300 Million in cuts to our state universities, Rick Scott creates A NEW UNIVERSITY to satisfy one greed-driven Republican state senator, JD Alexander, who desired a "legacy university" (nearby to his land holdings, coincidentally) that he can slap his name on.

Now, newly-independent Florida Polytechnic will have no students, no teachers, no buildings and no accreditation. (Potential students will not be able to secure federal student loans without accreditation.)


Just another way Republicans are starving Florida of funds needed to operate a healthy state.



But that doesn't matter to JD. He got his "legacy university", courtesy of Governor Rick Scott.


And the rest of us can go to hell.



Gov Rick Scott approves bill creating Florida Polytechnic University, April 20, 2012


Take a look at the barrage of angry comments after Rick Scott gave JD Alexander his "legacy university".


The self-interested bully awarded his spoils by Florida Republican legislature, Republican Governor, April 21, 2012



Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a bill creating Florida Polytechnic. Departing Senate President JD Alexander lobbied for the school's approval. (Photo via Tampa Bay Times)



And JD Alexander celebrates:


topnews|text|Local%20News|Link


April 20, 2012

.....

Last year, backers of the school called for independence, but instead the state board that oversees universities insisted that the school meet accreditation and other requirements over the next several years before being allowed to part from USF.

State Sen. J.D. Alexander, however, used his clout in the GOP-controlled Legislature to pass a bill (SB 1994) that called for a “divorce” from USF as soon as possible.

The Lake Wales Republican and powerful Senate budget chairman called it a “great day for Florida.”

....

Rick Scott may have outrun criminal prosecution when his company was ordered to repay nearly $2 Billion to the federal government for Medicare fraud, but he will not slip away from his pillage of Florida, giving it away to his amoral Republican friends.



There will be a price to pay.

[dtexdem]

1. Just supporting the STM disciplines.

;-)

Oh wait, not science! They pull all those political hoaxes, citing facts! Support the TM disciplines. But if Math doesn't toe the line, supporting GOP budget choices, FL will only support the T disciplines.

[madfloridian]

2. I just found out that one of those pushing the new private college...

that J. D. Alexander bullied through...is someone whom I used to respect as a friend and as an honest businessman. His role in this has really upset me.

The faculty are on edge now, and I just about cried seeing some of them on TV today being interviewed. People are already finding out they were lied to in several ways.

[KoKo]

3. Disappear into "Tribal Sports" or Go "Fundie for Jesus." What else is there to do in our Society?

BTW: I'm an Episcopalian (fallen away) so I'm not dissing Christians...but the Sports Stuff...it's all entwined..and it crosses the RELIGIOUS SPECTRUM...cuts across all here in the USA.

:-( It's either RELIGION or SPORTS that one talks about...around the "Water Cooler" or with your Friends and Relatives these days.

FORGET ABOUT ANY OTHER KIND OF DIALOG. It just won't exist. :-( :cry: