Politics

From: Sanford Shugart
To: All Faculty and Staff
Date: 2/3/04
Subject: Politics

Many of you have had questions about the Governor's budget announced here a few weeks ago. I'd like for you to understand the larger political issues and process, so I've tried to provide the gist of it below.

Four years ago, we identified three fundamental political problems that Valencia had to solve if we were to thrive. The first was the lack of a rational funding model in Florida. State funding had been distributed for years on an essentially political basis, creating severe problems for the fastest growing colleges whose funding per student was declining in real terms. Valencia had been hurt most by this pattern of funding and growth. We set about supporting agreement among the 28 colleges on a funding formula that would, over time, reestablish equity in funding among the colleges. Last year we were successful in placing this formula into statute.

The second challenge was to increase operating funds to flow through the funding formula. The Governor's proposed budget addresses this issue directly. If funded, it will add some $84 million in state appropriations and $20.5 million in tuition to the operating budgets of the 28 colleges. The appropriation will be distributed by the formula mentioned above. Further, the Governor has pledged to me that his budgets in succeeding years will continue to fund enrollment growth in our colleges.

The third challenge we identified was the critical shortage of space at Valencia creating a need to secure a larger share of state funds (Public Education Capital Outlay, or PECO Funds) and to secure new sources of funding. You are aware of the significant plans for campus expansion in the coming decade. It is likely to cost some $200 million to achieve this vision. Meanwhile, the PECO funding source is based on a declining revenue base. We have a long-term problem. Nevertheless, we have secured a larger share of funds while accelerating projects in our plans. In the past four years, the college has completed some 240,000 square feet of construction and begun another 280,000 square feet. Projects underway or fully funded now include East Buildings 8 and 9, Osceola Building 3, and West Campus PAC renovation. Also, the Governor and legislative leadership have indicated support for increases in the Capital Improvement Fee by $2 per credit hour next year. Still, we have a long way to go...

It is important to understand that the Governor's budget proposal is very influential, but not decisive. The legislature still has to adopt a budget in their session that begins March 2. Our focus now is to persuade the House and Senate leadership to agree with the Governor's budget proposal for community colleges.

Because I am the "point-man" for our system's political advocacy, I am getting a lot of attention in the political world just now. However, the political success we are enjoying is a result of many people and groups working in partnership. Many of you, through FACC membership and participation, have helped to create the favorable environment we are enjoying. Our trustees have given significant effort toward these goals. The Council of Presidents has managed to form a powerful team by setting aside short-term competitive interests of individual colleges for the long-term benefit of all. Our state leadership, especially Commissioner Horne and Chancellor Armstrong, have been tireless advocates for our system. And the Governor has stepped up in a major way to lend his leadership to our mission.

Finally, while I thank you for your continuing support for this work, I feel like I want to apologize for the time and effort this requires away from the college. I'd much rather spend my time and energy inside Valencia with students, faculty and staff; but the work requires most of my attention elsewhere for a time. I hope you will bear with me in anticipation of the resources this will feed to our mission, which is after all the real point of all this.

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