State Sen. Mike Haridopolos, who was recently hired as a UF lecturer, told UF officials that he was working on his doctoral degree at the University of Arkansas, but Arkansas officials said he hasn't been since 2000.
A UF official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Thursday that Haridopolos' resume stated he was working on his doctoral degree at Arkansas.
But Charlie Alison, a spokesman at the university, said records show that Haridopolos hasn't been enrolled since fall 2000.
"Theoretically, he should still be enrolled if he's still pursuing a doctoral with us," Alison said.
Haridopolos was hired to lecture in UF's political science department and coordinate student internships for the Bob Graham Center for Public Service. He will be paid $75,000 for the one-year position.
Alison said there's a slim chance Haridopolos could have continued pursuing his doctorate at another university in the Arkansas system.
Joan Duffy, a spokeswoman for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, said there is no record of Haridopolos' enrollment at her institution.
There are no other UA institutions that offer doctoral degrees, according to online catalogs from Arkansas' state universities.
