USF sets up website to track Poly progress; Poly chief responds to no-confidence vote

Posted Nov 17, 2011 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated Nov 17, 2011 at 11:02 PM

State Sen. JD Alexander may be throwing a new wrench into the USF Poly independence deal, with his request for an investigation of USF, but the university is moving on with its marching orders.

Last week, the state Board of Governors tasked USF with holding Poly to a set of benchmarks. Once met, Poly would return to the board to be considered for independence.

USF will be tracking that process on a website it launched today.

It lists each thing the board required, such as achieving campus accreditation, with a set of bars beside it showing how close Poly is to completion.

You can follow along.

1. 2. 3.

Meanwhile, Poly’s chancellor Marshall Goodman, who’s been lambasted in this process, seems to want to show he’s going along with it all.

After months of declining requests for comment, he issued a statement tonight in response to a USF Poly Faculty Senate vote of “no confidence.”

Here it is:
Last week, the Board of Governors overwhelmingly supported a path that calls for Poly to become an independent institution that would allow it to better address critical education issues in Florida, especially related to science, technology, engineering and math. I fully recognize this is a change in direction and understand the apprehension of the faculty. While I’m concerned by the faculty’s vote and take it very seriously, I am confident that we can continue to work together in our mission to provide the very best teaching and learning resources for our students and our region.
There are many challenges ahead. Currently, we are establishing a committee of faculty, students and other key stakeholders, led by our Chief Academic Officer, which will be tasked with ensuring that we are meeting the benchmarks set forth by the BOG. I am committed to transparency and collaboration – and will be throughout this entire transition. I look forward to continuing the dialog with the entire Poly community as we move forward.