The chairman of the UF Board of Trustees, Carlos Alfonso, announced his resignation Friday.
In a statement, Alfonso said he has withdrawn his application for reappointment, which would have needed approval from Gov. Rick Scott.
“I always considered myself an advocate for the students, and that’s how I’d like to be remembered,” Alfonso said Sunday.
Alfonso, who served under three governors, was a founding trustee in 2001 and was elected chairman last year. He said he didn’t have any prior indication that the governor would not renew his appointment.
UF President Bernie Machen released a statement Friday afternoon wishing Alfonso well and noting the highlights of his 11 years on the board.
“He was instrumental in many of the university’s greatest achievements during that period, including our increased tuition flexibility, significant progress in innovation and the rapid growth of our campus research infrastructure,” he said.
Alfonso, a UF graduate, said he has no plans to continue his involvement with higher education in Florida. He has a family and is a prominent architect in Tampa. He said it would be nice, after 11 years, to take a break.
However, Alfonso added, he loves UF and will always pay attention to what’s going on at the university.
“I think it’s part of my DNA,” he said.
Contact Joey Flechas at jflechas@alligator.org and Erin Jester at ejester@alligator.org.
