I would first like to express my agreement with and gratitude for the enlightened comments provided earlier today by Senator Graham, and in previous meetings, by Dr. E.T. York and other university leaders. Senator Graham has provided compelling historical and logical evidence for improving, not removing, the Board of Regents. I ask that you seriously consider and implement his suggestions. We shall be advocating this cause to our legislators and to the citizens and voters of the state of Florida.

In May of 2000, the President of the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates (ACFS), faculty representatives for all ten SUS institutions, sent a letter to Governor Bush expressing concerns about House Bill 2263 and the proposed abolition of the Board of Regents. Also in May of 2000, the UF Faculty Senate Steering Committee released a press statement summarizing why a central governing body such as the Board of Regents is essential to buffer academic governance from the often rapidly changing whims of partisan politics. On October 20 of last year, ACFS members met in Tallahassee to discuss the education governance reorganization.

There was unease and nearly unanimous opposition by the members to the abolition of the Regents and to the proposed replacement system. It was perceived that the proposed changes had much political momentum, and that open opposition might trigger adverse consequences. Thus, much time was spent trying to decide how to support the concept and integral facets of a system-wide, politically-buffered governing body such as the Board of Regents, without using language that would indicate support of the Regents. Since then, both the UF Faculty Senate and ACFS have continued to provide comments and input. However, so far the respectful attempts by academics, past and present administrators, and university leaders from other states to educate and influence the Task Force seem to have gone mostly unheeded.

A top-rate university must ensure an environment where faculty can critically question assumed truths and popular assumptions in all areas of knowledge. It is for this reason that a governance body isolated from direct political interference is necessary.

Core academic requirements to be protected by this governing firewall are (a) academic freedom, which ensures that faculty can teach and research free of the constraints of political pressure from within and without the university; (b) tenure, which exists only to protect academic freedom; (c) stable fiscal and organizational support; (d) academically-experienced university leadership and administration, which protects all of the above.

The seriousness of weakening the buffer presented by a body such as the Regents cannot be overemphasized. It will cause major and long-term harm, part direct and part from perceptions. As with individuals, so with universities: it takes much to build a good reputation, but very little to destroy it.

The UF Faculty Senate recommends:

1. The Task Force should allow sufficient time for input by Florida's citizens and educational experts.

2. An Advisory Council should be created for the Task Force. The members of this council should be chosen by consultation with SUS and AAU faculty and administrators from recognized university education experts.

3. A separate governing body for SUS institutions should be established, to execute its duties as independently as possible of partisan political manipulations.

The constitutional protection of the Board of Regents inherent in the plan proposed by Senator Graham is an excellent mechanism for achieving these recommendations. This process will directly involve the people most affected by the decisions made - the citizens of Florida. We recognize that the Regents could and should be improved upon. Most faculty would favor inclusion of faculty as well as student representation on the Board of Regents. Imperfect as it is, the Board has served very well as a firewall to protect the state's institutions of higher learning from overly aggressive political interventions. It should be preserved, strengthened, and improved, not discarded.

This is a time of great opportunity and of great danger for Florida and the SUS. The choices we make will determine our future. Let us hope we make the right choices, to lead us towards the best of times rather than the worst of times. Thank you.

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