Search Begins For Florida Polytechnic Trustees

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Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland is ready for its own Board of Trustees. Gov. Rick Scott has launched a national search for thirteen trustees that will govern Florida’s 12^th public university.

It turns out applicants can live anywhere. They don’t have to be in Florida to serve.

“We must have a globally competitive education system that will turn out leaders in technology and innovation,” said Scott. “I look forward to calling on talented and visionary individuals who will set Florida Polytechnic on a path toward world-class excellence.”

Scott signed legislation in April that split University of South Florida Polytechnic from the USF system and made it a standalone institution. The legislation includes benchmarks that must be achieved by the end of 2016:

• Receive accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
• Initiate the development of new programs in the STEM fields — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
• Attain a minimum FTE (student headcount or full-time equivalent enrollment) of 1,244, with a minimum 50 percent of that FTE in STEM fields and 20 percent in programs related to those fields.
• Seek discipline-specific accreditation for programs.
• Complete facilities and infrastructure including the Science and Technology Building, Phase I of the Wellness Center, and a residence hall containing at least 190 beds.
• Have the ability to administer financial aid, admissions, student support, information technology, and finance and accounting with an internal audit function.

Like other boards in the State University System, Polytechnic’s Board of Trustees will be responsible for coming up with cost-effective policies and enforcing high-quality education programs that fit the university’s mission.

Gov. Scott will appoint six board members, the Board of Governors of the State University System will choose five members. Polytechnic’s student body president and one faculty member will also serve as trustees.

Applications should be received by the Governor’s appointments office at the address below by May 31 at 5 p.m.:

Governor’s Appointments Office
The Capitol Building, 7th Floor, Suite 705
Tallahassee FL 32399-0001