Introduction to Transparency in University President Searches

Lawmakers are seeking to increase transparency in the search process for university presidents, with a House panel recently approving a bill that would repeal a law shielding information about presidential candidates from public disclosure.

Background on the Bill

The bill, which was unanimously approved by the House Education Administration Subcommittee, would also make a series of other changes to the higher-education system, including creating term limits for members of the university system’s Board of Governors and university and college boards of trustees. According to Rep. Marie Woodson, D-Hollywood, "This bill is all about accountability and transparency. I think it was overdue."

Controversy Surrounding the 2022 Law

The proposal would repeal a controversial 2022 law that provided exemptions to public-records and public-meetings laws for presidential searches. Under the law, identifying information about most presidential applicants is not disclosed, though information about finalists for the positions is made public. Supporters of the 2022 law argued that it was needed to help attract top candidates who might be hesitant to apply for Florida president jobs if their current employers could find out.

Arguments Against the 2022 Law

However, Rep. Michelle Salzman, a Pensacola Republican sponsoring the House bill, rejected such arguments, stating, "When we have presidential searches and when we’re doing these things, we don’t need to be hiding people behind the shade because we’re worried about if they win or lose." The bill comes after numerous presidential hirings in recent years and current openings, including the selection of former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner as president of Florida Atlantic University and former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez as interim president of Florida International University.

Recent Presidential Appointments

In addition to these appointments, University of South Florida President Rhea Law announced last month that she will step down. Other universities with recently appointed presidents include Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida State University, the University of North Florida, and New College of Florida. Meanwhile, the University of Florida and Florida A&M University are operating with interim presidents.

State College System

In the state college system, Broward College, Northwest Florida State College, South Florida State College, and State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota have hired new presidents during the past two years. North Florida College President John Grosskopf also announced this month that he will step down from his post.

Need for Transparency

Samique March-Dallas, an associate professor of finance at Florida A&M, emphasized the importance of transparency in presidential searches, stating, "Transparency in presidential searches isn’t merely procedural. It’s essential for legitimacy. When decisions happen behind closed doors, we lose the opportunity to evaluate candidates against our institutions’ needs and values."

Key Provisions of the Bill

Other parts of the bill include:

• Eliminating a requirement that presidents selected by university boards of trustees go to the system’s Board of Governors for confirmation.
• Placing term limits on members of the Board of Governors and university and college boards of trustees. For example, members of the Board of Governors would be limited to single seven-year terms and would be required to be Florida residents.
• Requiring that Board of Governors members file detailed financial disclosures.

  The bill would need to clear the House Education & Employment Committee before it could go to the full House. Senate Education Postsecondary Chairwoman Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami, has filed a Senate version, which has not been heard in committees.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the proposed bill aims to increase transparency and accountability in the search process for university presidents. By repealing the 2022 law and implementing term limits and financial disclosure requirements, lawmakers hope to ensure that the best candidates are selected for these critical positions.

FAQs

Q: What is the main purpose of the proposed bill?
A: The main purpose of the bill is to increase transparency and accountability in the search process for university presidents.
Q: What law would the bill repeal?
A: The bill would repeal the 2022 law that provided exemptions to public-records and public-meetings laws for presidential searches.
Q: What are some of the key provisions of the bill?
A: The bill includes provisions such as eliminating the requirement for presidential confirmation by the Board of Governors, placing term limits on board members, and requiring financial disclosures.
Q: What is the current status of the bill?
A: The bill has been unanimously approved by the House Education Administration Subcommittee and needs to clear the House Education & Employment Committee before it can go to the full House.
Originally Published: March 20, 2025 at 3:01 PM EDT