Early last summer, the Florida Board of Governors (the oversight body for all state universities) asked a question of New College leaders — how can we transform New College from what it is now, a top-ranked public liberal arts college, into a truly exceptional, national institution?
Faculty, staff, and students enthusiastically entered a complex planning process to craft a response to the Board’s ambitious query. The proposal we developed calls for a five-year expansion that will see an increase in enrollment of 50 percent, from 800 to 1,200 students, along with the necessary hiring of additional faculty and staff. To our delight, the Board of Governors unanimously endorsed the plan, which is now before the state Legislature.
Throughout the discussions, on campus and with the Board, one thing became clear: New College’s growth would bring significant benefits to the region and the nascent college consortium of which it is a part.