Title: Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida

Summary: Commending the Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida for the organization's five decades of service to the students, communities, and employers of this state, etc.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, in 1965, the presidents of colleges and universities in Florida together created the Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida to support the critical role of independent higher education in this state, and WHEREAS, these college and university presidents sought to strengthen and promote independent higher education in Florida, thereby creating more educational options and access for the residents of this state, and WHEREAS, the Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida worked with Governor Reubin Askew in 1972 on the effort to create the needs-based Florida Student Assistance Grant Program for students attending public and private institutions, and WHEREAS, the Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida later championed the William L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant Program, which now, in its 36th year, is assisting nearly 40,000 students annually with their undergraduate tuition costs, and WHEREAS, today, the Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida s member institutions serve more than 155,000 students at sites across the state, offer more than online degree programs, and award more than percent of degrees in the important fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health care, business, and education, and WHEREAS, in this Golden Anniversary year, these independent colleges and universities will award percent of all bachelor s degrees, more than percent of all first professional degrees, and more than percent of all advanced degrees in Florida, and WHEREAS, Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida represents a vibrant educational system with $10 billion in assets, 35,000 employees, and annual operating budgets totaling more than $5 billion, adding to the economic vitality of this state and providing essential resources for its students, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: That the Florida Senate extends its congratulations and commends the Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida for its five decades of service to the students, communities, and employers of this state. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate, with the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to the Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida as a tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.