University of West Florida

Governmental Relations

HB 7129

Updated 4/25/12

Information in this chart derived from the enrolled (final) version of House HB 7129

Issue	Bill Text
*Collaborative Partnership*	Creates a collaborative partnership between the Board of Governors and the Legislature to elevate the academic and research excellence and national preeminence of Florida's highest-performing state reserach universities.
*Differentiated Tuitions and Fees*	Beginning with 2012-13 academic year, a state university that has substantially met at least 11 of the academic and research excellence standards identified in subsection (4), as verified by the Board of Governors, may establish student tuition and fees at differentiated and market rates in addition to the tuition differential fee. These fees may only increase once per academic year beginning in the fall term.
*Differentiated Tuition Effect on Prepaid Advance Payment Contracts*	Qualified beneficiaries having prepaid advance payment contracts that were in effect prior to the first year a state university receives the differentiated tuition and fee authority is exempt from the payment of any increase in tuition and fees assessed. Qualified beneficiaries who have an advanced payment contract that is entered into the first year a state university receives the differentiated tuition and fee authority is liable for the difference between the highest rate of tuition and fees covered by the contract and the differentiated tuition and fees.
*Academic and Research Excellence Standards for State Universities of National Preeminence.*	Average weighted GPA of 3.8 or higher on 4.0 scale and average SAT score of 1800 or higher for fall semester incoming freshmen. Top 50 ranking on at least two well-known and highly respected national public university rankings. Freshman retention rate of 90% or higher for full-time first-time-in-college students, as reported annually to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Six year graduation rate of 70% or higher for full-time first-time-in-college students, as reported annually to IPEDS. Six or more faculty members at the state university are members of a national academy, as reported annually by the Center for Measuring University Performance for the Top American Research Universities (TARU). Total annual research expenditures, including federal research expenditures, of $200 million or more, as reported annually by the TARU. Total annual research expenditures in diversified nonmedical sciences of $100 million or more, based on data reported annually by the National Science Foundation (NSF). A top public university national ranking for research expenditures in five or more science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields of study, as reported annually by the NSF. One hundred or more total patents awarded for the most recent 3-year period, as reported annually to the IPEDS. Two hundred fifty or more doctoral degrees awarded annually, as reported by the TARU. Two hundred or more post-doctoral appointees annually, as reported by the TARU. A national quality ranking higher than predicted based on available financial resources rankings, as reported annually by U.S. News and World Report. An endowment of $400 million or more, as reported annually by the TARU. Annual giving of $50 million or more, as reported annually by the TARU.
*Fees Used to Pledge or Secure Revenue Bonds or Debt*	Fees collected pursuant to s. 1009.24 that are used to pledge or secure revenue bonds or to secure debt shall be maintained at the appropriate level to meet all debt service obligations of the university.
*Submission Deadline for Differentiated Tuition and Fees*	1) A state university that substantially meets the academic and research standards, as of February 1, 2012, shall submit to the Board of Governors, no later than May 31, 2012, the university's proposal for increasing tuition and fees for the 2012-13 academic year. If approved, the BOG must request an amendment to increase the budget authority in the Education and General Student and Other Fees Trust fund necessary to accomodate the tuition and fees generated. 2) A state university that substantially meets the academic and research standards shall annual submit to the BOG, no later than May 31, the university's tuition and fee rate proposal. Upon approval of the proposal, the BOG shall request, in the board's annual legislative budget request, budget authority in the Education and General Student and Other Fees Trust Fund necessary to accomodate the tuition and fee revenues.
*Jointly Shared Education Experience*	In order to provide a jointly shared educational experience, a state university that has met the academic and research standards may require its incoming first-time-in college students to take a nine-to-twelve-credit set of courses specifically determined by the state university. The state university may require that this set of courses be taken at the state university and may stipulate that credit for such courses may not be earned through any acceleration mechanism or other transfer credit.
*Additional Authority and Flexibilities*	The Board of Governors is encouraged to identify and grant additional authority and flexibilities as may be appropriate to achieve state university and State Univeristy System goals. In addition, the Board of Governors is encouraged to identify state university programs of academic and research excellence and make recommendations to the Legislature for flexibilities designed to move those programs higher in appropriate nationally recognized rankings.