USF St. Pete forms alumni society

Posted May 11, 2012 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated May 11, 2012 at 02:08 PM

A little more than five years after becoming separately accredited, USF St. Petersburg is taking another major step toward establishing a distinctive identity.

It’s created an alumni society.

More than 4,200 people have graduated from USFSP since it became accredited in December 2006.

USFSP spokesman Tom Scherberger says thousands more consider USFSP their primary campus, though most of them received their degrees from USF Tampa.

The new alumni group held its first meeting in February; about 35 people came.

It was a mixture of USFSP grads and USF Tampa grads who consider St. Pete their home campus, Scherberger said.

“They have one thing in common, regardless of whether their diplomas said USF or USFSP: They all love this campus and consider it their alma mater,” said Scherberger, who started at USFSP in February.

The next alumni meeting is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the Community Room at Harbor Hall (formerly the Dali Museum), 1000 Third Street S., St. Petersburg.

They’ll be electing officers.

If you plan to be there, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call (727) 873-4452.

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Goodbye Michael Kovac; nanotechnologist, roller coaster lover

Posted May 11, 2012 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated May 11, 2012 at 09:09 AM

USF President Judy Genshaft said it all in her tribute yesterday to Michael Kovac, who died on Wedneday at 70.

“Michael Kovac made his mark as an engineer, an inventor and, most importantly, a visionary who helped shape the University of South Florida’s achievements in technology and innovation,” she said in a statement.

“He was instrumental in the development of the I-4 Corridor as an emerging high-tech region for Florida and in putting USF on the cutting-edge of new technology. He inspired students and faculty to work diligently to help shape our world for the better.

“His commitment to education, ingenuity and creativity is more than his legacy, it has become part of who we are as a university.”

You can go here to read more about the former College of Engineering dean.

The family is holding a reception this evening, 6-8, at the Terrace Oaks Chapel in Temple Terrace. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

And instead of flowers, the family asks for donations to Corpus Christi Haiti Mission or to Moffitt Cancer Foundation-Sarcoma Division.

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USF Poly administrator resigns; report recommended dismissal

Posted May 10, 2012 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated May 10, 2012 at 02:50 PM

Last month, USF investigators recommended that two USF Polytechnic administrators be dismissed for their role in what they described as financial mismanagement at the campus.

One of them, Alice Murray, submitted her resignation on Monday.

“I enjoyed my long affiliation with USF and am very proud of the many accomplishments I have made on behalf of the institution, most especially in the many strides that were made in the maturation of USF Polytechnic into Florida’s twelfth University,” she wrote to interim chancellor David Touchton.

Murray, vice chancellor for planning and facilities, was criticized in last month’s investigative report in part for authorizing payment for a high-cost audio/video installation in violation of USF policy requiring that approval for technology purchases.

Also, it said she participated in an effort to incorrectly describe a soda fountain as “equipment rental” to obtain state funds to pay for it, at the behest, the report said of then-Chancellor Marshall Goodman.

The investigators also recommended that budget director Josh Bresler be dismissed.

The investigative report focused on Goodman, saying he created a “hostile” environment with “threats, intimidation and retaliation that resulted in violation of policy and statute.”

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Universities eye cuts; USF remains quiet

Posted May 10, 2012 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated May 13, 2012 at 08:36 AM

The bad news is swirling about university cuts, as officials try to figure out how to deal with the Legislature slicing $300 million from the 11 state university budgets.

The University of Florida talked about practically eliminating its Computer and Information Science and Engineering department – then backed off in the backlash.

Lawmakers had said they were only asking for the universities to reach into their cash reserves.

But it’s not that simple, UF President Bernie Machen said in a News Service of Florida story.

The universities need that money to plug the holes popping up on a regular basis because of past cuts, he said.

“We spent nearly $30 million of reserves last year to avoid having to make difficult budget decisions. ... We must maintain sufficient reserves to manage unexpected expenses associated with air conditioning system failures, roof leaks or other major outages that could put buildings out of commission and cost millions of dollars.”

USF is staying quiet about what it plans to do.

“We’re waiting until we know what’s going to happen with tuition,” said spokeswoman Lara Wade-Martinez.

The Legislature built a 15 percent increase into its budget plans for the universities. But the state Board of Governors has to approve that. So do the university boards of trustees, though at USF a board workgroup has already recommended approval for a 15 percent hike for undergrads and 8 percent for graduate students.

The “sticker price” for USF, including housing, meals and books, is now $20,726 a year.

Tuition and fees are more than 30 percent of that.

So as the price goes up, cuts are coming.

Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott is initiating a new review of the universities, to “assess the progress of prior reform efforts and identify strategies to improve efficiencies.”

You can follow its progress here.

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Last USF Poly class graduates; Dockery lays in to “leaders” behind split

Posted May 8, 2012 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated May 8, 2012 at 12:39 PM

State Sen. Paula Dockery got the last word – sort of.

Much more will be said about the USF’s split from its Polytechnic campus in Lakeland, but Dockery had her say last night as the final USF Polytechnic graduates received their diplomas.

Dockery’s colleague in the Senate, JD Alexander, pushed through a bill this year to close the USF campus in Lakeland and take its budget to start a new university in Lakeland.

She didn’t mention him by name last night, but it’s clear he was on her mind as she gave her definition of a leader.

“A leader does NOT: dictate, rule through fear and intimidation, abuse their power or authority or take unethical or illegal actions,” said her prepared statements. “A true leader does not force their will on others….”

She praised the students and faculty who fought back, lamenting the results.

“They were frustrated and disheartened by what can only be described as a textbook example of the antithesis of leadership….

“They were continuously let down by every political decision that was made starting with the Board of Governors and finishing with the governor signing the bill…”

And she closed with a quote from Edmund Burke – “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” – and the advice to keep striving to do the right thing.

You might not win, you might end up with a little office and no power – a clear reference to her experience opposing Alexander at several junctures.

“But you’ll get to carry your head high.”

You can read the full text here.

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