Student Group Unhappy With Gov. Scott’s Board of Governors Choices

Michael Long is the student representative on the Board of Governors, chosen by the Florida Student Association.

A Florida student activist group says Gov. Rick Scott has appointed too many businessmen and developers and not enough people connected to the state’s universities and students.

The Florida Alliance for Student Action is planning a March 1st statewide protest. The group is also concerned about a bill that would strip a student-chosen representative from the Board of Governors and allow Scott to appoint the representative.

From the group’s press release:

These appointments demonstrate FASA’s grievance about the growing disconnect between the BoG, made up mostly of contractors, businessmen and developers, and the students/faculty at Florida’s eleven state universities. The issue of lack of representation on the BoG was mentioned by Dr. Cornel West at a lecture on FSU’s campus Wednesday evening. Kuntz’s appointment especially widens this disconnect because he will replace Stanley Marshall, a former Florida State University President.

The only student seat, held by Michael Long from New College, is under attack by a bill introduced by Rep. Matt Gaetz which would turn his seat into a governor appointed seat.

Students and higher education in Florida can expect further attacks from this board, which has already voted to increase tuition at Florida universities despite an economic downturn, cuts to Bright Futures and cuts from Federal Aid programs making it more and more difficult for hard working students to be able to afford college in the sunshine state.