SB 2442 - if enacted, would require the Board of Governors to rank the 11 public universities and determine if any reach "flagship" status. The BOG is the governing body for Florida's public universities.A flagship university is a research institution that is has "a global perspective and impact" and can compete with other flagship universities on a national scale, according the legislation. And according to UF, it's the only one that fits the bill."Certainly other universities can become a flagship designation, it's just not limited to UF," said UF Spokeswoman Janine Sikes. But at this time, she said, UF is the only university that would meet the standards. The University of South Florida, though, is a close second."It will help UF today, but it can very well help USF tomorrow," said spokesman Michael Hoad.UF is the number one research institution in the state, with USF in second place. Hoad doesn't perceive the bill as a threat against USF, as it is aligned with the university's growth goals - as in gaining membership into the elite Association of American Universities. UF is the only current Florida public institution with membership."We're a step below, but we have every intention on getting there," he said. This proposal wouldn't funnel more state money into UF, but rather give it more tools to compete against other nationally-ranked schools."It would remove some of the barriers that the University of Florida sees holds it back from becoming a top 10 university," Sikes said, such as charging the market-rate for online classes or mandating all its students to attend summer school. "The state has traditionally used one-size-fits-all approach," Sikes said, "but (that) can be counter productive for UF."The proposal allows the BOG and Legislature to "assign specific projects, missions, exemptions, and other responsibilities." The bill has the opportunity to help all universities, Hoad said, if it's done right. "The way to make this fair is to make the criteria very clear," Sikes says the bill isn't designated to put the state universities against one another."It's not a bill pitting Gators versus Seminoles, or Gators versus Bulls, or Gators versus Knights or any other mascot," Sikes said.The Higher Education committee approved the bill March 26. The Higher Education Appropriations committee is now reviewing the proposal, of which bill writer Sen. Evelyn Lynn is chair. She also received her doctorate of education from UF in 1979.Florida State University declined to comment on the issue./>
