Why Rick Scott Has to Veto JD Alexander’s USF Poly Split
While its doubtful Rick Scott cares even a little bit what the editors of the Tampa Bay Times think, they may be onto the reason why Florida’s governor will have to veto the bill which will make USF Poly an independent institution. As CEO of a major hospital chain he wouldn’t have dreamed of doing something similar.
As head of the Columbia/HCA hospital chain, Scott would not have acquired another hospital without studying the geographic market, the demand for services and the potential for return on investment. As governor, he talks constantly of measuring performance and spending public money on programs that work. Alexander’s demand for a new university in Lakeland fails on all counts.
There has been no independent analysis that supports the creation of a new university, and the projections by its supporters are wildly inflated. There is no statewide consensus that building a new university is the best way to improve a system where three universities rank among the nation’s largest and none rank among the top 50 academically. If there were broad support for a new school, the likelihood that it would be built in Lakeland is slim and none. Florida Polytech
