Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College

Dear (Local Delegation), Speaker Perez, and President Albritton,

The fate of USF Sarasota Manatee depends on the legislative action occurring in just a few weeks. Part of the House budget negotiations include a USFSM shutdown and the transfer of buildings to New College as of July 1, 2026. The Senate budget keeps our hometown university. We implore you to support the Senate position. 

For months, students, parents, business leaders, educators, veterans, and concerned residents have spoken with one unmistakable voice: do not close our hometown campus. Nearly 350 community members gathered at a public forum in March, delivering a resounding message — shutting down USFSM to pursue New College’s goals is unnecessary and unjustified.

In addition to the local voices, USF systemwide constituencies strongly oppose closing the campus. This opposition has been clearly expressed by the Campus Board, which is statutorily authorized to represent the campus and works with the USF Board of Trustees, who themselves voiced opposition when the shutdown was announced in December. Notably, the Board of Trustees never formally considered or discussed ending USF’s 50-year presence in Sarasota-Manatee. The broader University of South Florida community — including the Faculty Senate and systemwide student government — has also passed resolutions opposing the closure, citing the campus’s vital role within the system.

There has been no meaningful community input, no financial justification, and no viable plan to replace the affordable, high-quality education USF Sarasota-Manatee provides. The campus serves nearly 2,000 degree-seeking students, more than 2,000 dual-enrollment high school students, and over 600 veterans who rely on its comprehensive support services. It trains nurses, teachers, cybersecurity professionals, hospitality leaders, and other in-demand talent—serving as a cornerstone of our region’s workforce pipeline in a way no other institution does.

The business community has spoken just as clearly. The Manatee, Sarasota, and Venice Chambers of Commerce, together with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, have all expressed strong opposition, emphasizing that USFSM is vital to our region’s economic strength and future workforce.

USFSM is also the responsible financial choice. A Florida DOGE report shows USF spends about $72,000 per degree, while New College spends nearly $500,000 per degree. USFSM and New College have coexisted for 25 years, each with a distinct mission; sacrificing USFSM is totally unnecessary.

We urge you to listen to the community and the constituencies that are most affected by this shutdown and support the Senate budget position.

Sincerely,

Charles Baumann, Former USFSM Campus Board Member and USF Foundation Board;

Robert “Bob” Blalock, Community Partner;

Andre Aquino, Governor, Student Government USFSM; 

Dennis Kukharenko, Lt. Governor, Student Government USFSM;

Lisa Carlton, USFSM Campus Board member; 

Ernie Withers, USFSM Campus Board member and former Campus Board Chair; 

John Clarke, Former USFSM Campus Fundraising Chair; 

David Eckel, Former USFSM Campus Board Member; 

Lynnette Edwards, Former Campus Board Member and Manatee Deputy School Superintendent; 

Dr. Anila Jain, USFSM Campus Board member, USF Foundation Board;

John Horne, Community Partner, Advisory Board College of Hospitality and Tourism Management; 

Dr. Karen Holbrook,

USFSM Regional Chancellor Emerita; 

Bill Mariotti, USFSM Campus Board member, USF Foundation Board; 

Diana Michel, USFSM Campus Board member, USF National Alumni Board; 

Scott Perry, Vice Chair, USF Faculty Senate; 

Dr. Sarah H. Pappas, President Emerita, State College of Florida;

Byron Shinn, Former USFSM Campus Board Chairman, USF Board of Trustees;

Dr. Laurey T. Stryker, Former USFSM Campus President; 

Buzz Turner, Former USFSM Campus Board Chairman; 

Lori White, Former Sarasota School Superintendent; 

Nancy Parrish, President Citizens to Protect The Ringling; 

Josh Baker, USF Sarasota Manatee Alumni Association Chair;

Derrick Williams, Partner, Former USFSM SGA President, Sarasota Manatee Alumni President; 

Michael Saunders, Donor, Business Leader; 

Mary Ruiz, Alumnae; 

Amy Drake, Donor, Former Brunch Chair; 

Gwen MacKenzie, Healthcare leader; 

Trudy Moon, Business leader, former Manatee Chamber Chair;

Lucy Lapovsky, Community education leader; 

Steve Young, CEO, Blake Hospital;

Bob Bunting, CEO, Climate Adaptation Center; 

David Kotok, Donor, Cumberland Advisors; 

Dr. Liaquat Allarakhia, Healthcare leader; 

Gulzar Allarakhis; Healthcare leader;

Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton, Community arts leader; 

John Mousseau, Community Partner, Advisory Board College of Hospitality and Tourism Management; 

Roxie Jerde, Former President of Community Foundation of Sarasota County