Florida lawmakers push for transparency in university presidencies

Florida lawmakers are pushing for more accountability and transparency in searches for new university presidents. A House panel approved a bill on Wednesday that would remove a law keeping presidential candidates' information private. The bill, known as HB 1321, received unanimous support from the House Education Administration Subcommittee. It aims to improve leadership in Florida's higher-education system. This includes setting term limits for members of the state’s Board of Governors and university boards. Currently, a 2022 law protects the identities of most presidential applicants during searches. Only the finalists' information is made public. Supporters of the original law argued it was necessary to attract top candidates who might fear losing their current jobs. However, Rep. Michelle Salzman, who sponsors the new bill, believes that keeping applicants' identities hidden is unnecessary. The move comes amid significant turnover in university presidencies in Florida. Recently, Florida Atlantic University appointed Adam Hasner as president, while Jeanette Nuñez became interim president at Florida International University. Several other universities are also experiencing leadership changes. Educators, like Samique March-Dallas from Florida A&M University, stress the importance of transparency in these searches for legitimacy. They argue that closed-door decisions prevent proper evaluation of candidates against the universities’ needs. The bill also proposes eliminating the requirement for presidential candidates to seek approval from the Board of Governors. Members of the Board of Governors and university boards would face term limits, with seven-year terms set for the former. Additionally, financial disclosures would be mandatory for Board of Governors members. The bill must pass through the House Education & Employment Committee before reaching the full House. A Senate version of the bill has been filed but has not yet been discussed in committees.