The fate of our hometown university depends on just a few who will negotiate the budget  next week.  The Senate position keeps our 50 year tradition with USF while the HB 5601 closes USFSM and transfers facilities and money to New College as of July 1, 2026.  This is the time for employers, students, alumni, and community partners to join us by contacting our local delegation, Speaker Perez and President Albritton to oppose losing our top-ranked hometown university.

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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 system-wide 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 system-wide 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. USF SM and New College have coexisted for 25 years, each with a distinct mission; sacrificing USF SM 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.

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