Thought the university needed a main thread to discuss any news or developments on its campus. The USF Downtown Medical Building can still remain in its own thread, but I think it would be better if we had most of the discussion in one main thread.

Thanks. :)

Draper Lab expanding at the USF, a sign its collaborative business strategy works
By Robert Trigaux, Times Business Columnist
In Print: Sunday, June 12, 2011

Skeptics wondering what the fuss is all about when Tampa Bay fights to recruit top-tier biotech and engineering firms might find some comfort in touring the still young Draper Bioengineering Center at the University of South Florida. After all, for years we've heard all the noise about "biotech" as a primo 21st century industry. And we've witnessed the sometimes desperate (and often expensive) desire by Florida to woo all kinds of scientific and innovative industries. The hope is they can, over time, help diversify Florida's economy with better-paying jobs and globally help rebrand the Sunshine State as a place that conjures up images beyond beaches, theme parks and retirement communities.

So come take the Draper tour with me.

The Draper facility on USF's campus is part of Draper Lab out of Cambridge, Mass., whose engineers specialize in taking university research and finding often remarkable ways to solve real-world problems with it. Draper's especially adept at taking machines and miniaturizing them. I'm talking about making objects small enough, for example, to inject in someone's bloodstream to help deliver a medicine directly to a cancer site. Draper does many other things, too.

I recently was invited to visit Draper at USF by Draper executive Len Polizzotto. He's the dynamo who helped bring Draper to this Tampa facility and St. Petersburg (where it does high-tech manufacturing in its own building).

I'd wanted to see Draper's USF operation first hand. Polizzotto thought the timing was good because Draper, operating barely two years at USF, is doubling its space by adding another 10,000 square feet of labs and offices to accommodate a growing number of collaborative projects. Those projects range from finding new ways to combat malaria — funded in part by the Gates Foundation — to detecting and analyzing brain injuries such as concussions and war wounds or post traumatic stress syndrome, and engineering devices that help people who have lost the ability to balance themselves to do so and even walk.

I also met with Shankar Sundaram, 42, who directs Draper's bioengineering center. He was hired in early 2009 specifically to run this facility. That task not only includes making sure his scientific staff is on track and getting the resources they need, but also seeking collaborative partners as diverse as USF, Tampa's James. A Haley VA Medical Center and the Moffitt Cancer Center, as well as MacDill Air Force Base.

"Collaboration is one of the main pillars of our business strategy," Sundaram says. "We realized early on that we cannot be an island and be successful."

This collaborative mantra is critical. USF's Karen Holbrook, who holds the lofty title of senior vice president for research, innovation and global affairs, stopped by the Draper labs to chat and convey her enthusiasm for the firm's arrival on the university campus and the merit of partnering in a wide swath of potential projects.

There are clearly good vibes between USF and Draper. USF knows there are many things it cannot attempt to do without Draper's can-do engineering (and enormous contacts in the federal government and defense world). And Draper readily admits to many opportunities it can pursue only with USF research.

Enough talk about this lovefest. But there is an infectious quality to watching smart, experienced people talk about tackling big, real-world problems with almost childlike wonder and a sense of optimism.

Of course, Draper did not arrive here without elaborate negotiations and funding. The state and counties offered up money and, in turn, Draper said it would create better-paying jobs, enough to make everybody happy.

How's that going?

In Tampa, Draper's got 20 full-time employees, plus seven undergraduate and graduate students and is seeking to fill six positions.

Thirty employees now work at Draper's multichip module manufacturing building on 16th Street in St. Petersburg. That brings the total Tampa Bay work force to 50-plus with an average salary of about $84,000 (that's 12 percent above Draper's target). The value of proposed Draper projects tops $80 million.

Given this weak economy, all those numbers deserve some applause and bode well for growth. USF and Draper already are talking about the possibility of building a separate facility to accommodate further Draper expansion, if enough partnerships happen.

But recruiting firms like Draper is no picnic.

Another biotech heavyweight called Jackson Lab, which does genetics research in Maine, tried several times in multiple Florida locations to establish a research facility here in the past few years. It finally agreed to build a research unit in Sarasota County that would have worked with USF (and probably Draper). The deal collapsed in recent weeks after Florida's budget-constrained government could not deliver on its share of incentive funds. Last week, Jackson Lab said it would seek to expand elsewhere in the country.

Polizzotto, who now oversees Draper's Florida business development opportunities from the firm's Cambridge headquarters, is a one-man advertising agency for the potential in Tampa Bay and at USF. He rattles off a long list of projects Draper wants to pursue here — especially an energy innovation center.

Why is he such a cheerleader?

Because, Polizzotto says, he sees wide-open acceptance and a refreshing lack of ego from Florida economic development leaders and from USF.

That matters a lot, he says, when you're trying to solve some of the world's toughest problems.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/draper-lab-expanding-at-the-usf-a-sign-its-collaborative-business-strategy/1174690

Thought the university needed a main thread to discuss any news or developments on its campus. The USF Downtown Medical Building can still remain in its own thread, but I think it would be better if we had most of the discussion in one main thread.

Thanks. :)

You beat me to it Mike! I was thinking to do the same last week lol.

And we can have one place for projects occurring on all four campuses. Although its probably going to be a slow ride for Lakeland since Rick Scott's veto pen dissolved funding for the Lakeland campus for the meantime.

Since I've been at USF's Tampa Campus, the following buildings have been finished.

*School of Music (completed during Spring, 2011)
*Juniper-Poplar Student Housing Hall
*Patel Center for Global Solutions (completed during Fall, 2010) - Now houses the administrative offices.

Still under construction
*Interdisciplinary Sciences Building

Plus the long list of athletic facility improvements, which includes the Sun Dome renovation.

USF-St. Pete is constructing the Multipurpose Student Center which should be complete by fall 2012.

http://stat2.architizer-cdn.com/mediadata/projectuser/262010/r600x450/85b27c9c.jpg

Harbor Hall (former Dali museum) should be being renovated
Campus Activities Center should be being renovated and expanded soon


Edit:
I think the render showed might be an old version, the one on their construction page looks different. http://stpete.usf.edu/aboutusf/construction.htm

I would like to point out that among the improvements to the athletics department this past year include new baseball and soccer stadiums, practice fields, and of course the Sun Dome expansion.

And I'd also like to point this out.....guess who they're naming the new soccer stadium after? Hint Hint, Rowdies ring any bells?

http://www.usforacle.com/new-soccer-stadium-named-1.2600735

Here's today's article on the new Interdisciplinary Science Building. Didn't know they had to halt the construction of the 7th floor of this building because of Scott's wrath of hell against universities and education in general.

http://www2.tbo.com/news/education-news/2011/aug/26/4/new-building-usfs-tallest-brings-sciences-together-ar-252960/

I have a friend that goes to the new gym at the campus, says that it has been busy all this week and sometimes difficult to get on the bench or another equipment.

I have a friend that goes to the new gym at the campus, says that it has been busy all this week and sometimes difficult to get on the bench or another equipment.



We have 12 flat benches now... I've been there every day this week and have always seen one of them open. He must go at peak times, I suppose.


Anyways, the campus improvements have been AMAZING. They added fountains and other beautification things at the main entrance and lined sidewalks with trees throughout campus. I've been here 2 years and the amount it has changed is incredible.

It really has improved. And when the timeline is 10 or more years, the changes are even more dramatic.

We have 12 flat benches now... I've been there every day this week and have always seen one of them open. He must go at peak times, I suppose.


Anyways, the campus improvements have been AMAZING. They added fountains and other beautification things at the main entrance and lined sidewalks with trees throughout campus. I've been here 2 years and the amount it has changed is incredible.

I agree. The changes have been phenomenal. When I took a campus tour back in 2006, the new Marshall Center was still under construction (the old one was a dinosaur indeed). I guess with all the cuts that Gov. Skeletor made, I guess that we will not see any other expansions in the next 5 to 8 years unless they are largely privately funded.

I agree. The changes have been phenomenal. When I took a campus tour back in 2006, the new Marshall Center was still under construction (the old one was a dinosaur indeed). I guess with all the cuts that Gov. Skeletor made, I guess that we will not see any other expansions in the next 5 to 8 years unless they are largely privately funded.

It's my understanding that USF is going to look toward P3 and donations to continue development of the campus master plan. Per the master plan, all new structures will be at least 3 stories tall with empty floors for future buildout if funding is not immediately available at time of construction. Three new parking facilities are in planning stages, located as close to arterials as possible (Alumni & Maple, Alumni & Sago, Holly & Magnolia).

I could be wrong, but I believe that two major structures will begin construction this year: the Institute for Heart Health at Bruce B Downs Blvd & Holly Dr and the Undergraduate Classroom and Support Building in place of the northern end of Collins Blvd. The latter is why all the improvements on Collins Blvd stop abruptly next to LIB and why the Bull Runner stop was moved from ADM to ENC - the road is to be truncated back to Apple Dr in the very near future to allow for construction. After that, things will slow down until 2015.

I love the dinosaur comment. You missed when the bookstore was basically a warehouse with an attached loading dock. It was good times back in the early-mid nineties. MLK plaza was just a big open field with a couple concrete paths through it. Canopies and shading, those are wimps, give me direct sun exposure and reflected heat off concrete and asphalt.
This is one of the things I hated about USF when I was a freshman back in 2002. Nothing but open fields and asphalt, no trees anywhere. What they've done in the span of a decade is nothing short of amazing.

The new MSC has the derogatory nickname of "The Airport." It's not somewhere you'd want to hang around as a student, which is something SG has been trying to fix since it opened. It has tons of classroom, ballroom, theater and restaurant venues, but nowhere comfortable to actually hang out and socialize. The lobby is too busy/loud, a large chunk of the student body doesn't want to hang out in the Beef 'O' Brady's, and the Sky Pod and commuter lounges are too small and cramped for what they are. It just doesn't compare to the old MC, which stuck WBUL, a massive gaming lounge/billiard hall/concert venue and SG computing together in one central location in the basement and had a nice, quiet lounge on the first floor.

I love the dinosaur comment. You missed when the bookstore was basically a warehouse with an attached loading dock. It was good times back in the early-mid nineties. MLK plaza was just a big open field with a couple concrete paths through it. Canopies and shading, those are wimps, give me direct sun exposure and reflected heat off concrete and asphalt.

Since we've been talking so much about the developments with the Tampa campus, and on a lesser degree, the Lakeland campus, I thought it would be appropriate to begin posting photos (soon) of the St. Pete campus. Since I am having 2 classes on the St. Pete campus this term, I will be able to snap a few pics here and there of that particular campus.

Although there isn't a lot going on there at the moment, they are building a new facility that will house the student union and another residence hall. I find the first residence hall to be pretty neat as it is. Also the Poynter Library is very quiet compared to the Tampa library.

You just don't know the right places in the Tampa Library. I once fell sound asleep for four hours in the bound journal section. I would appreciate the SP Campus pics though. I did my undergrad there from 91-93, before grad school at the Tampa Campus. I hope the monolith statue is still there on the waterfront. That and the Tavern on the Asphalt. The Tavern was always fun on Thursday nights after class before heading to the Big Catch.

You just don't know the right places in the Tampa Library. I once fell sound asleep for four hours in the bound journal section. I would appreciate the SP Campus pics though. I did my undergrad there from 91-93, before grad school at the Tampa Campus. I hope the monolith statue is still there on the waterfront. That and the Tavern on the Asphalt. The Tavern was always fun on Thursday nights after class before heading to the Big Catch.
My quiet spot was on the 6th floor in the multimedia section, before it became a storage facility. Not a sound to be heard, plus the computers were always available and the view from the windows was awesome.

You just don't know the right places in the Tampa Library. I once fell sound asleep for four hours in the bound journal section. I would appreciate the SP Campus pics though. I did my undergrad there from 91-93, before grad school at the Tampa Campus. I hope the monolith statue is still there on the waterfront. That and the Tavern on the Asphalt. The Tavern was always fun on Thursday nights after class before heading to the Big Catch.

I will agree. Some parts are quiet. The 1st floor is the particularly crowded area.

Wow, the USF St.Pete student center is looking a lot better than I thought it would, I didn't realize it had a glass facade. I'm impressed.

http://www.usfsp.edu/aboutusf/images/MSCaerial-11012011.jpg

http://www.usfsp.edu/aboutusf/images/MSCaerial-12072011.jpg

^^
Man, you beat me to it! LOL!

It does look good though. My last day on campus was last Tuesday and they were already beginning to put up the windows on the north side.

It was definitely a different feel taking 2 classes on the St Pete campus this past term. It has a small campus feel, but the USF Bulls spirit of the Tampa campus. I unfortunately will not be taking classes there in the spring (all of my classes will be on the Tampa campus), but I'll probably come back to snap some photos during Spring Break or something.

I miss the days when campus had about four buildings, Tavern on the Green was the place after classes got out at 9, the cafeteria sold nuclear hot steak fries and a mean fried burger, and you had a good shot at free parking on a surrounding street. I spent two years there and never bought a parking pass!

Dan

^^
Man, you beat me to it! LOL!

It does look good though. My last day on campus was last Tuesday and they were already beginning to put up the windows on the north side.

It was definitely a different feel taking 2 classes on the St Pete campus this past term. It has a small campus feel, but the USF Bulls spirit of the Tampa campus. I unfortunately will not be taking classes there in the spring (all of my classes will be on the Tampa campus), but I'll probably come back to snap some photos during Spring Break or something.

lol :)
Just wondering, did you choose to take classes at the St. Pete campus or did you have to?

^^
I chose to. Mainly because the Principles of Management courses on the Tampa campus are a joke. Auditorium style classes sometime are NOT productive. Unfortunately, budget cuts are making classes larger and larger...and less offerings too.

Looking forward to this. :)

Moffitt expansion plan gains steam

Money for a long-proposed expansion of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center could come in the form of a new jobs bill created last week in Tallahassee.

It's been three years since local legislators first proposed using existing cigarette taxes to build a clinical and research facility near the burgeoning Tampa campus. Leaders say it would address demand at the comprehensive National Cancer Institute center, one of just 50 in the United States.

"This campus is Moffitt's future," said Jamie Wilson, Moffitt's vice president of government relations.

But shoveling money toward health care isn't politically popular lately, and this year Moffitt revised its pitch to focus on the economics of expansion. The Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Moffitt launched a sophisticated website — jobsforthecure.com — to highlight the potential 3,000 construction jobs and more than 1,000 permanent health care jobs.

The effort appears to have paid off, as Moffitt's expansion plans were added last week to an economic incentive package created by the House Finance and Tax Committee. There's still no similar companion bill in the Senate, but Wilson said he is cautiously optimistic.

"This puts us way ahead of where we were last year, and we're appreciative," Wilson said.

The jobs bill takes in a hodgepodge of interests. The state's television and film industry, airplane mechanics and Moffitt's building plans are lumped in together, each with its own source of funding. Wilson said this is a way to get started.

"They are trying to help us, incrementally," he said. "This isn't going to get it all done now … but we understand the fiscal restraints on the state right now."

Money for the construction doesn't involve a new tax; Moffitt is asking for a percentage of the existing $1.33 per-pack cigarette charge. Most of that money now goes into a general fund for state health-related projects.

Such requests are how Moffitt financed many previous construction projects on its 17-acre site on the University of South Florida campus.

In 2011, the taxes translated to $5.5 million for Moffitt. The economic incentive package now being considered would nearly double that amount, Wilson said.

Moffitt, one of the three busiest cancer centers in the nation, reported more than $700 million in revenue in 2010, a small part of which comes from the state.

Medicaid reimbursements supplement some patient care, and biomedical research is backed by $5 million from cigarette tax revenues. Another $9.6 million comes from the State University System to train more than 1,000 medical students a year.

If the jobs plan makes it into the state budget, Wilson said, construction can start immediately. The land for the expansion was purchased in 2006 with a combination of support from the state and local governments. It's on a 25-acre parcel on McKinley Drive, across from the USF campus.

A detailed video at jobsforthecure.org shows extensive architectural renderings and plans for the multi-building complex.

Wilson said whether the money for construction comes now or later is irrelevant. It eventually will happen, he said.

"In order to facilitate the needs of future cancer patients, we have to expand," he said

Render in link
http://www2.tbo.com/news/politics/2012/feb/05/memeto1-moffitt-plan-gains-steam-ar-355300/

Considering how the state's leadership has gone out of their way to deep six Tampa area job creating projects the past few years, I won't be holding my breath for them to stop any time soon.

Me either

USF gets disproportionate cut in Senate budget recommendations
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/usf-gets-disproportionate-cut-senate-budget-recommendations

:ohno:

USF gets disproportionate cut in Senate budget recommendations
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/usf-gets-disproportionate-cut-senate-budget-recommendations

:ohno:

This is complete bullshit.
Hopefully this doesn't pass, Sen. JD Alexdaner isn't even trying to hide his dislike for USF now.

LOLZ... No, a 58% cut to the USF budget will not become law... Unless they've decided that standing up against naked corruption means that USF must now be destroyed, and to hell with the tens of thousands of people who would be likewise destroyed. The RPOF doesn't even attempt to hide their disdain for the Bay Area anymore. What a fucking joke. Seriously, when can we get some torches and pitchforks together and physically oust these thugs?

Seriously, when can we get some torches and pitchforks together and physically oust these thugs?

I'm in. lol

Are pitchforks even made anymore? (in America?) lol

This is complete bullshit.
Hopefully this doesn't pass, Sen. JD Alexdaner isn't even trying to hide his dislike for USF now.
Alexander is a toolbag on full throttle power trip. It's like connect the dots. Lets see. He wants USF Poly to be a separate university, USF President Genshaft opposes. Alexander Chairs the Budget Committee. USF gets almost 60% of it's budget slashed. Hmmm...... I wonder why? :bash:

Because Alexander's political career is basically over, so the only thing stopping him from fucking over the people of Florida for personal gain, is whatever federal oversight there is to tamp down naked corruption. Obviously, state level oversight no longer exists, because the RPOF is far too corrupt to ever police itself, even when they're bound by the Fl constitution to do exactly that as elected officials.

USF is sending students to Tally today to protest the budget cuts.
http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2012/february/382617/USF-students-in-Tallahassee-to-voice-concerns-over-proposed-budget-cuts

Awesome if these cuts go through I can see tuition going up, right when I'll be going into USF probably. I hate this state.

Awesome if these cuts go through I can see tuition going up, right when I'll be going into USF probably. I hate this state.

To be fair, Florida is fairly cheap as far as tuition goes.

Awesome if these cuts go through I can see tuition going up, right when I'll be going into USF probably. I hate this state.

Tuition is going up regardless of these cuts.

They won't be cutting funding 60%, it'd be political suicide for Florida House members in the TB area (to stand by JD Alexander's vendetta).

I'm surprised no one on the thread has called out Alexander by name - as he has been after USF since the school didn't bless his wishes for USF Lakeland to become an independent university.

This isn't hearsay that he threatened to cut funding if he didn't get his way. He said so, directly, to another Florida Collegiate Governor (a student) as an intimidation tactic before a board vote on USF Poly's independence.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/article1201267.ece

To be fair, Florida is fairly cheap as far as tuition goes.
I know it is only reason I am staying to go to USF, but higher tuition means longer time in Florida because I'd be paying more from my pocket which means going slower.

To be fair, Florida is fairly cheap as far as tuition goes.

Kinda hard to budget for school when the cost is exploding exponentially faster than income is rising. Thank GOD that at even 7yrs old, my daughter's college is already paid for.

Kinda hard to budget for school when the cost is exploding exponentially faster than income is rising. Thank GOD that at even 7yrs old, my daughter's college is already paid for.

Agreed. It's also the case across the country (Florida is not alone in facing budget shortfalls).

#SaveUSF is a trending tag on twitter in the Bay area, the school (and the media) are both trying hard, it seems, to advocate activism:

https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23SaveUSF

Tuition is going up regardless of these cuts.

They won't be cutting funding 60%, it'd be political suicide for Florida House members in the TB area (to stand by JD Alexander's vendetta).

I'm surprised no one on the thread has called out Alexander by name - as he has been after USF since the school didn't bless his wishes for USF Lakeland to become an independent university.

This isn't hearsay that he threatened to cut funding if he didn't get his way. He said so, directly, to another Florida Collegiate Governor (a student) as an intimidation tactic before a board vote on USF Poly's independence.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/article1201267.ece

It's beyond ridiculous that Alexander is trying this ploy just because he can't/couldn't get his way. :bash:

Either Alexander has some way he will earn money by making the campus a separate university or he has friends that will reward him in $$$ if he can get them a job in the university admin. USF has all the leadership and financial powers to run the Polytechnic as a satellite campus, so Alexander has no reason trying to make it a separate university.

^^ It's good ol' boy Florida politics, HART. He's already gottens omeone in his poccket to propose USF Poly IMMEDIATELY splits off from USF.

It reminds me of Jeb Bush's "Dubious plans" if the Class Size amendment passed years ago. The statement itself was a threat toward the people in general. He never did anything, specifically, to get even with the public for passing the amendment.... But if he had, it'd look like what Alexander has done.

Meanwhile - as someone who monitors the social media scene (because I need it for work), I'm inspired and happy to see locals taking action.

^The only action I've seen is hollow rhetoric. I want some compelling action, that makes it clear to these pigs that when they do this, there are serious consequences. So far, Alexander has faced none.

^The only action I've seen is hollow rhetoric. I want some compelling action, that makes it clear to these pigs that when they do this, there are serious consequences. So far, Alexander has faced none.

Alexander is losing a lot of face right now. His other pet project (along with Haridopolos, who has also lost quite a bit of face), to privatize the prisons for his friends, got stopped by Republicans changing sides and going against him. This made AP wires and what not, which is never what you're looking for when you lose. It's not much, but it's a start.

I've been reading John Romano for years in the Sports section. He switched over to columnist for the general, local news on January 1st and he's been a mixed bag since then... Well, up until today:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1215660.ece

They are not all liars. That's important to understand.

Some members of the Florida Senate seem to genuinely believe what they are doing and saying is completely honest, pure and without agenda.

So, no, they are not all liars.

Which means some may just be morons.

...nevermind...

Things are messed up when even Captain Teabags himself (the governor) is denouncing the plans.

I want to know how Sen. Lynn is benefiting from administering JD Alexander public fellatio on this and standing with him / enabling him.

Things are messed up when even Captain Teabags himself (the governor) is denouncing the plans.

I want to know how Sen. Lynn is benefiting from administering JD Alexander public fellatio on this and standing with him / enabling him.
I think it's more of a who Sen. Lynn is benefiting. I think both have some campaign donors that are looking for a job and being in the top ranks of a university pay a fairly good amount of cash.

Bad news.....Senate approves cuts for the universities and voted for the Poly campus split.

http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2012/february/386305/With-Senate-vote,-USF-Poly-set-to-become-Floridas-12th-university

Good news, looks like Norman may have spared USF the brunt of the cuts.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/big-win-for-usf-in-budget-battle-02232012

You can't help that you live in a 3rd world country masquerading as a US state. But you can help yourself and leave. :)

^^
Well said.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2012/4/20/faculty_students_wai.html


Governor Rick Scott has signed a bill creating Florida Polytechnic, giving the former USF Poly independence from the University of South Florida system.
With the signing, Florida Polytechnic becomes a standalone, new university in Polk County. Scott approved Senate Bill 1994 on Friday afternoon, technically creating the new school.
If he had vetoed the bill, USF Poly would have remained in the USF system, according to The Lakeland Ledger. If no action was taken by Saturday, the bill would have matriculated into law.
Florida Poly will be the state of Florida's 12th public university. Florida Poly will be officially established July 1.
The move was expected as Scott left $33 million budgeted for a new Florida Poly in the budget he approved Monday, The Ledger reported.

^^Good luck with accreditation folks.

Should never have all those satellites. Cut it off and let it die. Spend lots of money at USF on engineering and science and the Senator will sit in his presidential office all by his lonesome.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/report-details-financial-mismanagement-at-usf-poly/1226835

Two top administrators at the University of South Florida Polytechnic are facing dismissal after an investigation into complaints of financial mismanagement at the Lakeland campus.

And the former leader of the school, Marshall Goodman, could soon be under further investigation himself.

USF officials are recommending those actions after completing a two-month ethics review at USF Poly, which soon will become an independent school. Not only did investigators find that USF Poly officials misused money, their report outlines a dysfunctional world that one employee dubbed "Marshall Goodman's own playground."

Thanks for posting that HART, the additionally sad thing is placing a technical focus college far away from where those companies might locate was a bad idea, but it seems putting any college in the hands of these people is colossally bad.

But we all knew that. The bigger question is -- how much of this was known before Scott signed the bill?

But we all knew that. The bigger question is -- how much of this was known before Scott signed the bill?

I'm asking myself this question as well. :ohno: :bash:

Thanks for posting that HART, the additionally sad thing is placing a technical focus college far away from where those companies might locate was a bad idea, but it seems putting any college in the hands of these people is colossally bad.

But we all knew that. The bigger question is -- how much of this was known before Scott signed the bill?

My guess is all of it was known. Kinda hard to miss the things they were blowing the money on... Like the 2 story corksrew slide they built. My guess is the peopel running the state don't care. Especially JD, who seems intent on personally installing his pals and himself to run the school.

JD is all but certain to get a job at the independent campus once it's open. I'll bet my life savings on it. Croonism at it's finest.

JD is all but certain to get a job at the independent campus once it's open. I'll bet my life savings on it. Croonism at it's finest.

If that happens before 2014 Democrats might actually win some seats in the area ;)

^In Polk County? i wouldn't bet on it.

^In Polk County? i wouldn't bet on it.

I meant the bay area, the area affected negatively by competitive cuts, etc. but Rick is expecting to lose Hillsborough again it seems based on his movements and actions.

The 2nd floor of the Tampa Library is being gutted out and renovated during this summer. It is likely that new lighting and flooring will be installed, as well as expanded areas to plug in laptops, etc.