The Board of Governors took up several important initiatives to advance the State University System during the recent convening. First, the “Drugs, Alcohol and Mental Health Task Force,”convened for the first time with Board of Governors members and trustee chairs to discuss the Task Force’s proposed two-year work plan. The workshop included a discussion about the role of counselors versus academic advisors and a drug use and abuse overview by Dr. Kirk Dougher, assistant vice president of health and wellness at Florida Atlantic University. Board members also stressed the critical nature of improving mental health support for students.
Additionally, the Board confirmed David Szymanski, as the next president of the University of North Florida and Dale Whittaker, the University of Central Florida’s current provost, as UCF’s next president. UNF President John Delaney is retiring on May 30 and UCF President John Hitt is retiring on June 30. Board members also confirmed the reappointment of University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft.
Additional meeting highlights include:
- Representative Clay Yarborough read a resolution recognizing the achievements of UNF President John Delaney, who has led the university for 15 years.
- Board members approved the Annual Report for Online Education, including the State University System’s progress on promoting quality, access and affordability for online education. Universities also presented their individual plans for distance learning and collaborations.
- The Academic and Research Excellence Committee approved its two-year work plan for enhancing the System’s national prominence. The committee discussed strategies for promoting academic programs of distinction; increasing university research and research opportunities for students and faculty; and hiring, developing, and retaining world-class faculty and scholars. Board members also discussed the System’s recent metric-driven progress in raising its research profile.
- Board members appointed Adrienne Perry, Ph.D., of Deland, to the Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees. She is an adjunct professor at Stetson University and a former Mayor of the City of Longwood, Florida. She also served as the Statewide Coordinator for the College Level Academic Skills Project and a member of the Orlando Science Center Board of Trustees. Dr. Perry received her bachelor’s degree from State University of New York at Oswego, her master’s degree from Columbia University and her doctorate degree from University of Florida. Her term begins March 29, 2018 through July 15, 2020.
- As part of the Think Florida: A Higher Degree for Business campaign, Board members learned about UNF’s adaptive toy program, which customizes toys for children with disabilities and has received national attention for its partnership with Brooks Rehabilitation Center.
For more information, consult the meeting’s official minutes at http://www.flbog.edu. The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for June 26-28 at University of Central Florida in Orlando.
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