Introduction to the Proposal
Gov. Ron DeSantis made his case for DOGE-ing Florida’s higher education system at Wednesday’s meeting of the Board of Governors, the body that oversees the state’s public universities.
Referring to the federal Department of Government Efficiency, the governor reiterated his call last month for the state’s public universities and colleges to undergo independent audits aimed at improving fiscal responsibility and pruning “ideological study stuff” from their curricula.
The Audit Process
As part of an executive order on efficiency, DeSantis said he expected the State University System to help “identify and eliminate unnecessary spending, programs, courses, staff, and any other inefficiencies.” While light on details, the governor said his team will leverage artificial intelligence to evaluate potential cuts. “In terms of the bureaucracies and administrative, are we a well-oiled machine or is there room for improvement?” DeSantis said.
Financial Analysis
Total spending at the state’s 12 public universities has nearly doubled in the past decade, reaching roughly $6 billion in this school year, according to the system’s latest operating budget. And the share of that bill funded by taxpayers has surpassed 60%, since in-state tuition has been essentially frozen by state lawmakers over that span. “I’ve been happy to support you, don’t get me wrong,” DeSantis told the board. “But they showed me how much the university budgets have grown, and I was like ‘did we really increase it that much?‘”
Cost per Degree
Each degree granted by Florida schools cost taxpayers roughly $50,000, on average, according to data shared at Wednesday’s meeting. But that number varies wildly by school. During the last school year, the University of Central Florida received just under $30,000 from the state per degree granted. At New College of Florida, the cost was more than half a million.
New College of Florida’s Expenditures
New College’s expenditures nearly doubled between 2021 and 2023, driven largely by administrative and student support positions, according to Tampa Bay Times analysis of state data. More than one-third of the school’s budget now goes towards administration, more than any other school in the state system. New College also had the highest average pay for non-instructive staff in the state system last year, according to federal data.
Concerns Over Mismanagement
The liberal arts school’s spending made headlines earlier this week after Alumni Association Chair Benjamin Brown abruptly resigned, citing concerns over potential mismanagement of the school’s $50 million endowment. “The administration has tasked the foundation with such heavy expenses that it is forced to manage its funds very carefully and with too much risk of misallocation,” Brown said during the public comment section of Wednesday’s meeting.
Board of Governors’ Role
While most members expressed enthusiasm for DeSantis’s initiative, there was disagreement over how much authority the Board of Governors will have over implementing cuts. “It’s not only important, but it’s our duty to work with the governor’s office and those he appoints in a DOGE-like task force to ensure we meet our obligations as governors under the constitution,” said board member Eric Silagy, a former CEO of Florida Power & Light. “We’re going to find many examples of efficient and productive spending, but I’m also certain there’ll be examples that we may not be as proud of,” he added.
Implementation and Compliance
The board should form its own subcommittee to make suggestions, Silagy said, and “not just turn it over to whomever is put on this DOGE task force.” While the audits would focus on identifying inefficiencies, DeSantis said his teams would be rooting out non-compliance with state laws that have banned diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. “On a superficial level the universities went in and applied it, but as we’ve seen, (some staff) kind of burrow in and rename and do what (they) want in their own little fiefdoms,” he said. “That’s not going to fly here.”
Conclusion
The proposed audit of Florida universities is a significant step towards ensuring fiscal responsibility and efficiency in the state’s higher education system. With the use of artificial intelligence to evaluate potential cuts and a focus on identifying inefficiencies, the state aims to optimize its spending and improve the quality of education. However, concerns over the implementation and potential mismanagement of funds highlight the need for careful oversight and transparency throughout the process.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the proposed audit of Florida universities?
A: The purpose of the audit is to identify and eliminate unnecessary spending, programs, courses, staff, and any other inefficiencies in the state’s higher education system.
Q: How will the audit be conducted?
A: The audit will be conducted using artificial intelligence to evaluate potential cuts and identify inefficiencies.
Q: What is the current cost per degree granted by Florida schools?
A: The current cost per degree granted by Florida schools is roughly $50,000, on average.
Q: Which school has the highest cost per degree granted?
A: New College of Florida has the highest cost per degree granted, at over half a million dollars.
Q: What is the role of the Board of Governors in the audit process?
A: The Board of Governors will work with the governor’s office and the DOGE-like task force to ensure that the state’s obligations under the constitution are met and to make suggestions for implementing cuts.
