Florida's Higher Education Landscape: A Focus on Research and Student Success

Introduction

The State University System of Florida (SUS) is comprised of 12 distinct universities, each with renowned areas of expertise, all collaborating as one System. The SUS aims to serve the needs of the state and society by providing high-quality higher education, innovative research, and public service. This article delves into the structure, achievements, and strategic direction of the SUS, highlighting its commitment to student success, operational excellence, world-class talent, and innovative research.

The Mission and Vision of the State University System of Florida

The core mission of the State University System of Florida is to serve the needs of the state and society by providing high-quality higher education, innovative research, and public service through a coordinated system of institutions. This mission is executed while collectively advancing civic principles, fostering world-class talent, and propelling Florida’s economic prosperity.

The vision of the SUS is to be the premier public university system in the nation, renowned for its world-class talent and the collective strengths of its member institutions, delivering extraordinary impact around the world.

A Coordinated System of Excellence

The State University System is comprised of 12 distinct universities, each contributing unique strengths and expertise. These institutions collaborate as a unified system, working towards common goals and enhancing the overall quality of higher education in Florida.

Elevating Student Success

The State University System of Florida serves as a national model of excellence for student success while providing high-quality education that is affordable and accessible. This commitment is reflected in several key metrics and initiatives. With a continued emphasis on affordability, the average State University System student pays $270 for a bachelor’s degree after factoring in Florida’s investment in financial aid, marking the sixth consecutive year of decline. Within the SUS, over 17,000 fewer resident undergraduate students took out loans in 2020-21 compared to 2019-20, while 77% of resident undergraduate students did not take out any loans.

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Operational Excellence and Stewardship

The State University System is committed to being exceptional stewards of state resources and upholding the highest standards of integrity by continually identifying best practices and areas for improvement. This commitment ensures that the system operates efficiently and effectively, maximizing the impact of its resources.

World-Class Talent: Faculty and Graduates

The State University System boasts top-tier faculty who relentlessly pursue knowledge and produces world-class graduates who secure positions at iconic companies around the globe. This focus on talent development contributes to the state's economic growth and global competitiveness.

Innovative Research and Economic Development

The State University System conducts innovative research that tackles crucial, life-altering challenges, transforms communities, and serves as an economic driver for the state. This research activity is a cornerstone of the system's contribution to Florida's prosperity. The System awarded $645 million in Performance-Based Funding to its 12 public universities during the current fiscal year.

Strategic Planning and Goal Alignment

The Strategic Plan is a living document that helps align the State University System’s goals with Florida’s highest economic, workforce, and research needs. The Florida Board of Governors launched SUS30, the new strategic plan for the State University System of Florida.

Recent Achievements and Milestones

The State University System reached new heights and achieved record-breaking milestones across its 12 public institutions. Florida remains the gold standard for higher education thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis and the Legislature. The Board worked closely with university trustees, presidents, and leadership teams to identify ways to continue elevating student outcomes and serving as a national model of excellence for higher education. The Board of Governors is committed to building on the incredible momentum achieved this year. The focus will remain on driving student success, fostering innovation, and ensuring Florida continues to serve as a benchmark for higher education nationwide.

Affordability and Accessibility

The College Board’s “Annual Trends in College Pricing” report confirmed that the cost of a bachelor’s degree at Florida’s public universities has been the lowest in the country for three consecutive years. News & World Report also ranked Florida as No. 1 for tuition and fees.

Structure and Governance

The State University System of Florida (SUSF) includes 12 universities governed by a Board of Governors (BOG) appointed by the Governor. Each university is administered by a Board of Trustees, with members appointed by the Governor and the BOG. The BOG establishes the powers and duties of the institutional boards.

As required by art. IX, s. 7(d) of the Florida Constitution, the State University System of Florida is overseen by the Board of Governors (BOG), which consists of 17 members. Each system institution has a 13-member Board of Trustees dedicated to the purposes of the system.

The Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) unit in the Board of Governors’ Office provides support and oversight to the twelve institutions in the State University System (SUS) to offer high-quality academic programs and related support services to prepare students for success in the global community and marketplace. ASA provides leadership and coordination via collaborative data collection, research, analysis, policy development, and strategic planning for academic, student, research, and economic development issues that affect the SUS.

Funding and Performance-Based Initiatives

Performance funds are awarded to state universities based on a funding model approved by the Board of Governors, as outlined in s. 1001.92, Florida Statutes.

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Carnegie Classifications and Research Activity

Nationally, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is a framework for recognizing and describing diverse colleges and universities in the United States. The framework is used to help researchers group and study similar institutions. Florida’s public universities are categorized into the following Carnegie Classifications.

Doctoral Universities with Very High Research Activity: Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and University of South Florida.
Doctoral Universities with High Research Activity: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, University of West Florida, and University of North Florida.
Research University: Florida Gulf Coast University.
Institution with an Arts and Sciences Focus: New College of Florida.
Institution with a Technology, Engineering, and Sciences Focus: Florida Polytechnic University.

Preeminent State Research Universities

For the state's 12 public universities, s. 1001.7065, Florida Statutes, establishes academic and research excellence standards for the Preeminent State Research Universities program.

Each state university that annually meets at least 12 of the 13 academic and research excellence standards is designated a Preeminent State Research University. Once the university's five-year benchmark plan is approved, the Board of Governors awards the university its proportionate share of any funds provided annually to support the program.

Each state university that annually meets at least 7 but fewer than 12 of the 13 academic and research excellence standards is designated an Emerging Preeminent Research University. Emerging preeminent research universities must also submit a five-year benchmark plan with target rankings on key performance metrics.

The Board of Governors is encouraged to identify and grant all reasonable, feasible authority and flexibility to ensure that each designated preeminent state research university and each designated emerging preeminent state research university is free from unnecessary restrictions.

State Universities of Distinction

The State Universities of Distinction program is intended to recognize and invest in universities that focus on one core competency unique to the State University System and have achieved excellence at the national or state level, as recognized by the Board of Governors. The program is also intended to meet state workforce needs and foster an innovation economy focused on areas such as health care, security, transportation, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Offices of Public Policy Events

The establishment of Offices of Public Policy Events across all institutions of the State University System of Florida supports the System’s mission to cultivate student success and civic readiness.

Safety Summit

This fall, the State University System hosted a safety summit for university leadership and Florida College System (FCS) leaders.

Lessons for California

Several recent reports demonstrate that California needs to increase educational attainment levels to maintain economic competitiveness with other states and countries. In order to achieve this goal, it is especially important that California find ways to increase college success and degree completion in the state’s community college system where nearly three-quarters of undergraduates are enrolled. The higher education policies and practices in other states, particularly those with large and diverse populations, may offer lessons for California in its efforts to increase degree production. Florida is viewed as a reform-oriented state in the area of education policy, and has participated in a number of recent national projects focused on improving student outcomes.

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