A bill in the Florida House of Representatives would allow for identifying information about applicants for president and provost in the State University System of Florida to be exempt from public record.
Universities and colleges would not be required to release this information until 30 days before a final vote.
HB 223 has passed all necessary committees and will go to the House floor for a vote. Its Senate companion has passed two of its three committees. If it passes the Rules committee, it will go to the Senate floor.
The House bill was originally filed to include dean applicants in addition to provost and president. It also required applicant information to be released 10 days prior to a vote instead of 30.
Similar legislation has passed the House for the last two years, and this bill is even less objectionable than past bills because it’s 30 days, not 10, and doesn’t keep applicants for dean private, State Rep. Combee said
“You have more time and it’s not as broad,” he said.
The legislation also shouldn’t have any affect on student input in university leadership, said Combee, a Republican.
“They can certainly have as many students as they want on a search committee from day one,” he said.
The bill is important because some qualified applicants may not apply out of fear of their current employer finding out they’re looking for another job, Combee said.
“It’s undeniable that the process now keeps the number of applicants down,” Combee said.
But to some, such concerns don’t justify the bill.
“For some, they will be afraid to apply,” said State Rep. Bruce Antone, who voted against the bill. “But for those who are bold, courageous and the promising talent we need here in Florida, they will not be afraid to apply.”
Antone, a Democrat, said he thinks it is likely the bill will become law.
“There’s probably a 99.9 percent chance it will,” he added.
State Rep. Joseph Geller, a Democrat, also voted against the bill.
“I think the current system where the public can find out information works just fine,” Geller said.
Geller said such a bill might hinder the chance for students to give input on candidates.
“I think it interferes with openness in government, transparency and the public’s right to know,” Geller said. “Most public record exemptions turn out to be not needed or just bad ideas.”
UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes declined to comment on behalf of UF, citing university policy. The State University System of Florida also gave no stance.
Kahreem Golden, a 20-year-old political science junior at Florida State University, said he is against the bill.
Golden pointed to the controversial election of FSU President John Thrasher, saying the university community was kicked out of the decision to make him president.
“We now have a politician who has no academic background,” Golden said. “Students were against his election. Faculty and staff were against his election.”
Golden said this was the first legislation he has seen to formalize this type of policy.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if other states follow Florida’s lead,” he said.
Other students also expressed concern over keeping applicants for president and provost private.
Chloe Campbell, a 24-year-old UF English student with a focus in film studies, said she likes being able to have time to research applicants.
“Me personally, I like to have a few months to look at the candidates,” Campbell said. “They’re president for longer than 30 days, so it’d be nice to have their information for longer than 30 days.”
[A version of this story ran on page 1 - 4 on 4/8/2015 under the headline “State bill proposes private university leadership searches”]
