News Briefs

+ New College notches No. 5. ranking
New College of Florida has moved up to the No. 5 spot in an annual list of the 100 best values in public colleges published by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, which ranks four-year schools that combine outstanding education with economic value. In 2011, the College was ranked No. 11.

This marks the ninth consecutive year that New College has placed among the nation’s top 20 public colleges overall on the Kiplinger’s list of schools delivering a stellar education at an affordable price.
The University of Florida was ranked No. 2, followed by the University of Virginia, the College of William and Mary and New College. Of the top 10, only New College and William and Mary are liberal arts colleges.

“The University of Florida and New College of Florida not only post prices that are less than half the average for private schools — $38,589, according to the College Board — but also beat the national average for public schools ($17,131), underlining the weight we give to affordability,” states Kiplinger’s. New College’s total in-state tuition was listed at $15,458, which included room and board and the cost of books and supplies.

Kiplinger’s describes New College as “a small liberal-arts honors school overlooking Sarasota Bay in Sarasota (offering) a low student-faculty ratio, a low sticker price and exceptional financial aid.”

Meetings & agendas
• Coalition of City Neighborhood Association Meeting — 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere St., Sarasota.
• St. Armands Business Improvement District Board of Directors Meeting — 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, City Hall, Room 109, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Rosemary District Association Meeting — 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, Fourth Street Fire Station, 1445 Fourth St., Sarasota.
• Development Problem Solving Session with the City Manager — 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, City Hall, Room 112, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
 Coastal Islands Group Meeting — 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 246 Garfield Drive, Lido Key.