Lawmaker says Poly independence is an illusion

Posted Nov 10, 2011 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated Nov 10, 2011 at 02:59 PM

State Sen. Mike Fasano opposed making USF Polytechnic independent, and a day after a university board decided to do just that, he said he doubts it will ever really happen.

The state Board of Governors put Polytechnic on the road to independence – but it has to complete several tasks first, such as gaining accreditation and constructing several campus buildings.

The goals are unrealistic, Fasano said. “It will never happen….If it does it will take many, many years.”

In another twist of a wrinkle, the state senator pushing independence, JD Alexander, said he wants USF out of the picture.

The board gave USF the responsibility of shepherding its polytechnic campus through the process, but Alexander repeated today he doesn’t trust USF to do the job and wants another university named as a “sponsor.”

Fasano called that “just ridiculous, laughable….Sen. Alexander is just trying to make his mark before he leaves office.”

Alexander is chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, and Fasano said if he tries to cut USF funding because of the bad blood engendered in the independence debate, “he’s going to hit a brick wall.”

“He’ll be up against every legislator from the Tampa Bay area,” which includes incoming House Speaker Will Weatherford, a USF alum.