Hello, I鈥檓 President Judy Genshaft. As you鈥檝e probably heard, legislation has been introduced in the 51在线 House of Representatives that would consolidate the current USF System. If this proposal becomes law, our institutions in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee would be required to operate under a single, unified accreditation.
While we do not yet know if this proposal will become law, I鈥檓 sure that many of you have questions about what a change like this could mean for the USF System and our students.
I want to reassure you that regardless of the outcome, we will remain focused on higher levels of student success, conducting high-impact research, and serving the entire Tampa Bay region. We are a strong nationally recognized research university with great momentum, and we remain on track for preeminence. As has been true throughout our proud history, we will continue to move forward together.
I also want to emphasize that at no time will any of our institutions risk losing accreditation or their distinct identities.
Separate accreditation of each institution would be phased out by June of 2020, when we would all begin working under a unified accreditation. We will work together with our Board of Trustees; the leadership of each of our USF System institutions; our faculty, students and staff; and our local community leaders and industry partners, to develop a transition plan that ensures even greater success for all of the USF System and the Tampa Bay Region as a whole.
Whether we are asked to embark on this consolidation or not, let鈥檚 never lose sight of the fact that the success of our students and the research that we conduct鈥� will always be our highest priorities. This is the value that has made the USF System the unparalleled success that it is today, and the virtue that has carried us to new heights never thought possible for a university of our young age.
The USF Board of Trustees and I are monitoring all of these developments closely, and we will keep you informed as we move forward.
As always, go Bulls.