USF president, state senators foresee "positive outcome" in budget battle | News

TAMPA, Fla. -- On Saturday, 10 News was the only station at USF as State Senators Jim Norman (R-Tampa) and Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) met with USF president Judy Genshaft.

"We continue to talk about what's best for our students, what we can do to make sure the University of South Florida is treated fairly," Genshaft says.

"We believe that there's going to be a positive outcome and I'm encouraged by us moving forward," Sen. Norman agrees.

On Monday, President Genshaft will meet about the possibility of USF losing more of its state funding than over universities in Florida with State Senator JD Alexander (R-Lake Wales). He chairs the Senate Budget Committee and has pushed to turn USF Polytechnic in Lakeland into an independent state university.

"We're looking forward to Monday's meeting," Genshaft says. "I hope it's as fruitful as this [meeting] is."

Part of the problem is that about $77 million is expected to be in USF Tampa's reserves next year, and those reserves are also sometimes used to pay part-time and adjunct professors. But that same campus alone stands to lose $79 million right now. USF could also lose another $24 million if USF Polytechnic is turned into a new state university.

A provision was set to take yet another $25 million from USF to create that new university, but local senators helped take that off the table on Wednesday.

"We're getting to that bottom line that we can assure our community that USF is treated fairly," Sen. Norman says.

They see that as progress, but feel confident they'll accomplish even more as they prepare for Monday's meeting.

"We anticipate a good meeting, and we're optimistic that the outcome will be favorable to the University of South Florida and the people of this community and the state of Florida," says Sen. Joyner.

10 News investigative reporter Noah Pransky will be traveling to Tallahassee for Monday's meeting.

Meanwhile, a local rally canceled due to rain on Friday has been rescheduled for Tuesday afternoon at the corner of 56th Street and Fowler Avenue.

Previous USF Coverage:
2/15/12 - Budget cuts live, but ''divorce settlement'' brokered

2/14/12 -  USF Students depart overnight to protest budget cuts

2/14/12 - 10 News leading charge to #SaveUSF
2/14/12 - High school students impacted by USF attacks

2/14/12 - USF fears "devastating" 58% budget cuts
2/8/12 - JD Alexander pushes "backdoor" path for USF Poly independence
12/22/11 - Barbs traded over Genshaft's handling of USF Poly handling
12/20/11 - Genshaft dismisses USF Poly chancellor
11/10/11 - BOG grants USF Poly conditional independence

11/7/11 - USF Poly spends thousands on Star Wars statues
11/3/11 - JD Alexander's bully pulpit

10/31/11 - Polk leaders vote for USF Poly independence