Lawmakers find compromise on FAMU-FSU engineering school

TALLAHASSEE, Florida --  The biggest budget controversy in higher education this session was the Senate's proposed split of the engineering school shared by Florida A&M University and Florida State University.

The House refused to approve $13 million for a separate engineering school at FSU, which Sen. John Thrasher successfully inserted into the budget.

The compromise approved this week is being applauded by the FAMU community: $500,000 for an independent study of the program and agreeing that the Board of Governors, not the Legislature, will have the final say on any changes.

The board will have the option of keeping the status quo or creating engineering programs at each school.

CONTINUE READING