¹240.209  Board of Regents; powers and duties.--

(1)  The Board of Regents is authorized to adopt systemwide rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement provisions of law conferring duties upon it; to plan for the future needs of the State University System; to plan the programmatic, financial, and physical development of the system; to review and evaluate the instructional, research, and service programs at the universities; to coordinate program development among the universities; and to monitor the fiscal performance of the universities.

(2)  The Board of Regents shall appoint a Chancellor to serve at its pleasure who shall perform such duties as are assigned to him or her by the board. The board shall fix the compensation and other conditions of employment for the Chancellor. The board shall also provide for the compensation and other conditions of employment for employees necessary to assist the board and the Chancellor in the performance of their duties. The Chancellor shall be the chief administrative officer of the board and shall be responsible for appointing all employees of the board who shall serve under his or her direction and control. The Chancellor must be qualified by training and experience to understand the problems and needs of the state in the field of postsecondary education. Search committee activities for the selection of the Chancellor up to the point of transmitting a list of nominees to the Board of Regents shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of ss. 119.07(1) and 286.011.

(3)  The board shall:

(a)  Develop a plan for the future expansion of the State University System and recommend the establishment of new universities consistent with the criteria adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to s. 229.053. The plan must include a procedure for the periodic assessment of the need for a new state university and specific standards for the minimum acreage, building space, staffing, and programmatic mix of state universities.

(b)  Appoint or remove the president of each university in accordance with procedures and rules adopted by the Board of Regents. The board may appoint a search committee to assist in evaluating presidential candidates. Each appointment of a university president shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of ss. 119.07 and 286.011. The board shall determine the compensation and other conditions of employment for each president.

(c)  Approve new degree programs for all state universities. In so doing, the board shall be mindful of the differentiated missions of the several universities. New colleges, schools, or functional equivalents of any program leading to a degree which is offered as a credential for a specific license granted under the Florida Statutes or the State Constitution shall not be established without the specific approval of the Legislature.

(d)  Prepare the legislative budget requests, including fixed capital outlay requests, in accordance with chapter 216 and s. 235.41. The board shall provide to the individual universities fiscal policy guidelines, formats, and instructions for the development of individual university budget requests.

(e)  Establish student fees.

1.  By no later than December 1 of each year, the board shall raise the systemwide standard for resident undergraduate matriculation and financial aid fees for the subsequent fall term, up to but no more than 25 percent of the prior year's cost of undergraduate programs. In implementing this paragraph, fees charged for graduate, medical, veterinary, and dental programs may be increased by the Board of Regents in the same percentage as the increase in fees for resident undergraduates. However, in the absence of legislative action to the contrary in an appropriations act, the board may not approve annual fee increases for resident students in excess of 10 percent. The sum of nonresident student matriculation and tuition fees must be sufficient to defray the full cost of undergraduate education. Graduate, medical, veterinary, and dental fees charged to nonresidents may be increased by the board in the same percentage as the increase in fees for nonresident undergraduates. However, in implementing this policy and in the absence of legislative action to the contrary in an appropriations act, annual fee increases for nonresident students may not exceed 25 percent. In the absence of legislative action to the contrary in the General Appropriations Act, the fees shall go into effect for the following fall term.

2.  When the appropriations act requires a new fee schedule, the board shall establish a systemwide standard fee schedule required to produce the total fee revenue established in the appropriations act based on the product of the assigned enrollment and the fee schedule. The board may approve the expenditure of any fee revenues resulting from the product of the fee schedule adopted pursuant to this section and the assigned enrollment.

3.  Upon provision of authority in a General Appropriations Act to spend revenue raised pursuant to this section, the board shall approve a university request to implement a matriculation and out-of-state tuition fee schedule which is calculated to generate revenue which varies no more than 10 percent from the standard fee revenues authorized through an appropriations act. In implementing an alternative fee schedule, the increase in cost to a student taking 15 hours in one term shall be limited to 5 percent. Matriculation and out-of-state tuition fee revenues generated as a result of this provision are to be expended for implementing a plan for achieving accountability goals adopted pursuant to s. 240.214 and for implementing a Board of Regents-approved plan to contain student costs by reducing the time necessary for graduation without reducing the quality of instruction. The plans shall be recommended by a universitywide committee, at least one-half of whom are students appointed by the student body president. A chairperson, appointed jointly by the university president and the student body president, shall vote only in the case of a tie.

4.  The board may implement individual university plans for a differential out-of-state tuition fee for universities that have a service area that borders another state.

5.  The board is authorized to collect for financial aid purposes an amount not to exceed 5 percent of the student tuition and matriculation fee per credit hour. The revenues from fees are to remain at each campus and replace existing financial aid fees. Such funds shall be disbursed to students as quickly as possible. The board shall specify specific limits on the percent of the fees collected in a fiscal year which may be carried forward unexpended to the following fiscal year. A minimum of 50 percent of funds from the student financial aid fee shall be used to provide financial aid based on absolute need. A student who has received an award prior to July 1, 1984, shall have his or her eligibility assessed on the same criteria that was used at the time of his or her original award.

6.  The board may recommend to the Legislature an appropriate systemwide standard matriculation and tuition fee schedule.

7.  The Education and General Student and Other Fees Trust Fund is hereby created, to be administered by the Department of Education. Funds shall be credited to the trust fund from student fee collections and other miscellaneous fees and receipts. The purpose of the trust fund is to support the instruction and research missions of the State University System. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301, and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund.

8.  The board is further authorized to establish the following fees:

a.  A nonrefundable application fee in an amount not to exceed $30.

b.  An admissions deposit fee for the University of Florida College of Dentistry in an amount not to exceed $200.

c.  An orientation fee in an amount not to exceed $35.

d.  A fee for security, access, or identification cards. The annual fee for such a card may not exceed $10 per card. The maximum amount charged for a replacement card may not exceed $15.

e.  Registration fees for audit and zero-hours registration; a service charge, which may not exceed $15, for the payment of tuition in installments; and a late-registration fee in an amount not less than $50 nor more than $100 to be imposed on students who fail to initiate registration during the regular registration period.

f.  A late-payment fee in an amount not less than $50 nor more than $100 to be imposed on students who fail to pay or fail to make appropriate arrangements to pay (by means of installment payment, deferment, or third-party billing) tuition by the deadline set by each university. Each university may adopt specific procedures or policies for waiving the late-payment fee for minor underpayments.

g.  A fee for miscellaneous health-related charges for services provided at cost by the university health center which are not covered by the health fee set under s. 240.235(1).

h.  Materials and supplies fees to offset the cost of materials or supplies that are consumed in the course of the student's instructional activities, excluding the cost of equipment replacement, repairs, and maintenance.

i.  Housing rental rates and miscellaneous housing charges for services provided by the university at the request of the student.

j.  A charge representing the reasonable cost of efforts to collect payment of overdue accounts.

k.  A service charge on university loans in lieu of interest and administrative handling charges.

l.  A fee for off-campus course offerings when the location results in specific, identifiable increased costs to the university.

m.  Library fees and fines, including charges for damaged and lost library materials, overdue reserve library books, interlibrary loans, and literature searches.

n.  Fees relating to duplicating, photocopying, binding, and microfilming; copyright services; and standardized testing. These fees may be charged only to those who receive the services.

o.  Fees and fines relating to the use, late return, and loss and damage of facilities and equipment.

p.  A returned-check fee as authorized by s. 832.07(1) for unpaid checks returned to the university.

q.  Traffic and parking fines, charges for parking decals, and transportation access fees.

r.  An Educational Research Center for Child Development fee for child care and services offered by the center.

s.  Fees for transcripts and diploma replacement, not to exceed $10 per item.

(f)  Establish and maintain systemwide personnel programs for all State University System employees, including a systemwide personnel classification and pay plan, notwithstanding provisions of law that grant authority to the Department of Management Services over such programs for state employees. The board shall consult with the legislative appropriations committees regarding any major policy changes related to classification and pay which are in conflict with those policies in effect for career service employees with similar job classifications and responsibilities. The board may adopt rules relating to the appointment, employment, and removal of personnel which delegate its authority to the Chancellor or the universities. The board shall submit, in a manner prescribed by law, any reports concerning State University System personnel programs as shall be required of the Department of Management Services for other state employees. The Department of Management Services shall retain authority over State University System employees for programs established in ss. 110.116, 110.123, 110.1232, 110.1234, and 110.1238 and in chapters 121, 122, and 238. The board shall adopt rules to provide for a coordinated, efficient systemwide program and shall delegate to the universities authority for implementing the program consistent with these coordinating rules so adopted and applicable collective bargaining agreements. The salary rate controls for positions in budgets under the Board of Regents shall separately delineate the general faculty and all other categories.

(g)  Recommend to the Legislature any proposed changes in the Capital Improvement Trust Fund and building fees. The Capital Improvement Trust Fund fee is established as $2.44 per credit hour per semester. The building fee is established as $2.32 per credit hour per semester.

(h)  Terminate programs at the state universities pursuant to findings of reviews and evaluations of instructional, research, and service programs at the universities.

(i)  After consultation with the university presidents, adopt a systemwide strategic plan which specifies goals and objectives for the State University System. In developing this plan, the board shall consider the role of individual public and independent institutions within the state. The plan shall provide for the roles of the universities to be coordinated to best meet state needs and reflect cost-effective use of state resources. The strategic plan shall clarify mission statements and identify degree programs to be offered at each university in accordance with the objectives provided herein. The systemwide strategic plan shall be for a period of 5 years with modification of the program lists after 2 years. Development of each 5-year plan shall be coordinated with and initiated subsequent to completion of the master plan specified in s. 240.147. The Board of Regents shall submit a report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate upon modification of the system plan.

(j)  Seek the cooperation and advice of the officers and trustees of both public and private institutions of higher education in the state in performing its duties and making its plans, studies, and recommendations.

(k)  Coordinate and provide for educational television in the State University System.

(l)  Establish and maintain an effective information system which will provide composite data about the university system and assure that special analyses and studies of the universities are conducted, as necessary, for provision of accurate and cost-effective information about the universities and about the system as a whole.

(m)  Seek the cooperation and advice of superintendents and board members of local school districts in the state in performing its duties and making its plans, studies, and recommendations. The systemwide and university strategic plans shall specifically include programs and procedures for responding to the educational needs of teachers and students in the public schools of this state.

(n)  Submit to the State Board of Education, for approval, all new campuses and instructional centers approved by the board.

(o)  Administer a program for the maintenance and construction of facilities in the State University System and to secure, or otherwise provide as a self-insurer pursuant to s. 440.38(6), workers' compensation coverage for contractors and subcontractors, or each of them, employed by or on behalf of the Board of Regents when performing work on or adjacent to property owned or used by the Board of Regents or the State University System.

(p)  Ensure compliance with the provisions of s. 287.09451, for all State University System procurement, and additionally, ss. 255.101 and 255.102, for construction contracts, and rules adopted pursuant thereto, relating to the utilization of minority business enterprises, except that procurements costing less than the amount provided for in CATEGORY FIVE as provided in s. 287.017 shall not be subject to s. 287.09451.

(q)  Administer an acquisition program for the purchase or lease of real and personal property and contractual services pursuant to s. 240.205(6).

(r)  Monitor the extent of limited access programs within the state universities and report to the State Board of Education and the Legislature admissions and enrollment data for limited access programs. Such report shall be submitted by December 1, 1991, and annually thereafter, and shall assist in determining the potential need for academic program contracts with independent institutions pursuant to s. 229.053. The report shall include, for each limited access program within each institution, the following categories, by race and gender:

1.  The number of applicants.

2.  The number of applicants granted admission.

3.  The number of applicants who are granted admission and enroll.

4.  The number of applicants denied admission.

5.  The number of applicants neither granted admission nor denied admission.

Each category shall be reported for each term. Each category shall be reported by type of student, including the following subcategories: native student, community college associate in arts degree transfer student, and other student. Each category and subcategory shall further be reported according to the number of students who meet or exceed the minimum eligibility requirements for admission to the program and the number of students who do not meet or exceed the minimum eligibility requirements for admission to the program.

(s)  Require each state university to advise students who meet the minimum requirements for admission to the upper division of a state university, but are denied admission to limited access programs, of the availability of similar programs at other State University System institutions and the admissions requirements of such programs.

(t)  Allow the waiver of any or all application, course registration, and related fees for persons who supervise student interns for institutions in the State University System.

(u)  Manage systemwide enrollment.

(v)  Establish policies relating to credit and noncredit education offerings by universities in the State University System.

(w)  Establish and regulate faculty practice plans for the academic health science centers.

(4)  Any powers not specifically delegated to the universities by this act shall be retained by the Board of Regents unless further delegated by action of the board.

(5)  The Board of Regents is responsible for:

(a)  Maintaining access to state universities by qualified students regardless of financial need.

(b)  Coordinating with the Postsecondary Education Planning Commission the programs, including doctoral programs, to be reviewed every 5 years or whenever the board determines that the effectiveness or efficiency of a program is jeopardized. The board shall define the indicators of quality and the criteria for program review for every program. Such indicators shall include need, student demand, industry-driven competencies for advanced technology and related programs, and resources available to support continuation. The results of the program reviews shall be tied to the university budget requests.

(c)  Coordinating the roles of the universities in order to best meet state needs and reflect cost-effective use of state resources.

(d)  Advising the Legislature concerning opportunities for bonding university revenues, including certificate of participation bonds.

(e)  Reviewing and approving or disapproving baccalaureate degree programs that exceed 120 semester hours, after consideration of accreditation requirements, employment and earnings of graduates, comparative program lengths nationally, and comparisons of similar programs offered by independent institutions. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the members of the Board of Regents must approve a request. By December 31 of each year, the Board of Regents must report to the Legislature any degrees in the State University System which require more than 120 hours, along with appropriate evidence of need. At least every 5 years, the Board of Regents must determine whether the programs still require more than the standard length of 120 hours.

(f)  Reviewing and approving or disapproving degree programs identified by the Articulation Coordinating Committee as unique pursuant to s. 229.551(1)(f)5. The Board of Regents shall ensure that university students are aware of unique program prerequisites.

(g)  Ensuring that at least half of the required coursework for any baccalaureate degree in the system is offered at the lower-division level, except in program areas approved by the Board of Regents pursuant to paragraph (e).

(h)  Recommending to the Legislature a plan for the implementation of an increased matriculation charge for students taking coursework in excess of degree requirements.

(i)  Recommending to the Legislature a plan for the implementation of block tuition programs and other incentives to encourage students to graduate in 4 years.

(6)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.262(1), the Board of Regents may authorize the rent or lease of parking facilities provided that such facilities are funded through parking fees or parking fines imposed by a university. The board may authorize a university to charge fees for parking at such rented or leased parking facilities.

(7)  The Board of Regents is authorized to permit full-time State University System employees who meet academic requirements to enroll for up to 6 credit hours of tuition-free courses per term on a space-available basis.

(8)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 283.33, books published by the State University System press shall not be subject to the bid requirements provided in s. 287.017.

(9)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 253.025, the Board of Regents may, with the consent of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, sell, convey, transfer, exchange, trade, or purchase real property and related improvements necessary and desirable to serve the needs and purposes of a university in the State University System.

(a)  The board may secure appraisals and surveys. The board shall comply with the rules of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund in securing appraisals. Whenever the board finds it necessary for timely property acquisition, it may contract, without the need for competitive selection, with one or more appraisers whose names are contained on the list of approved appraisers maintained by the Division of State Lands in the Department of Environmental Protection.

(b)  The board may negotiate and enter into an option contract before an appraisal is obtained. The option contract must state that the final purchase price may not exceed the maximum value allowed by law. The consideration for such an option contract may not exceed 10 percent of the estimate obtained by the board or 10 percent of the value of the parcel, whichever is greater, unless otherwise authorized by the board.

(c)  This subsection is not intended to abrogate in any manner the authority delegated to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or the Division of State Lands to approve a contract for purchase of state lands or to require policies and procedures to obtain clear legal title to parcels purchased for state purposes. Title to property acquired by the board shall vest in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.

(10)  No school, college, or center at a state university shall be named for a living person unless approved by the Board of Regents.

(11)  The board is authorized to adopt rules, as necessary, to administer this section.

History.--s. 7, ch. 79-222; s. 5, ch. 81-162; s. 34, ch. 82-241; s. 1, ch. 83-126; s. 9, ch. 83-325; ss. 2, 38, ch. 83-326; s. 25, ch. 84-336; ss. 4, 12, ch. 85-241; s. 1, ch. 86-145; s. 66, ch. 87-224; s. 2, ch. 88-230; s. 2, ch. 88-237; s. 1, ch. 88-241; s. 2, ch. 88-375; s. 28, ch. 89-381; s. 2, ch. 90-302; s. 70, ch. 90-360; ss. 3, 12, ch. 90-365; s. 91, ch. 91-45; s. 10, ch. 91-55; s. 98, ch. 92-279; s. 22, ch. 92-321; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 2, ch. 93-242; s. 22, ch. 94-230; s. 4, ch. 94-322; s. 1, ch. 95-112; s. 80, ch. 95-143; s. 817, ch. 95-148; ss. 3, 12, ch. 95-243; s. 23, ch. 95-392; s. 28, ch. 96-399; s. 91, ch. 96-406; s. 8, ch. 98-65; s. 34, ch. 98-200; s. 54, ch. 98-421; s. 4, ch. 99-252; s. 70, ch. 2000-165; s. 1, ch. 2000-215; s. 4, ch. 2000-240; s. 3(7), ch. 2000-321; s. 5, ch. 2000-324; s. 49, ch. 2000-371.