SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Gov. Ron DeSantis used a Tuesday roundtable at New College of Florida to promote his administration’s higher education policies, including lower tuition, curriculum reviews and changes to university accreditation.
The event was held in the College Hall Music Room and included Florida Education Commissioner Henry Mack, State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, Florida Division of Bond Finance Executive Director Ben Watkins, New College President Richard Corcoran, U.S. Department of Education official David Barker and Florida DOGE Coordinator Eric Soskin.
DeSantis said Florida had become the first state to respond to a letter from U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon asking states and higher education institutions to address admission standards, free-speech protections, affordability, academic rigor and intellectual pluralism.
He said Florida’s response was signed by each state university and state college president and would be made public soon.
DeSantis signs budget transferring USF Sarasota-Manatee facilities to New College
DeSantis also defended state spending at New College, saying some recent costs were one-time investments in campus improvements rather than recurring expenses. He said the school has grown enrollment and is expanding after the transfer of the former USF Sarasota-Manatee facilities.
Officials also discussed the state’s review of university finances and course syllabi.
Soskin said the state used large language models to review 75,000 syllabi across Florida’s State University System. He said the review found 85% of courses were ideologically neutral or balanced, while 15% met a higher standard for academic rigor.
Watkins said Florida’s public university tuition is $6,360 and that student borrowing has declined. He said the state’s four-year graduation rate rose from 53% to 69% during DeSantis’ tenure, while job placement increased from 65% to 75%.
During questions after the roundtable, DeSantis announced he accepted the resignation of Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie.
DeSantis said Guthrie is pursuing politics and that Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue would be placed in charge of the emergency management division.
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DeSantis touts tuition, accreditation policies at New College roundtable – ABC7 WWSB
