NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)September 13, 2026Hillsborough County
Administrative law judge narrows allegations in New College campus master plan dispute
Photo: WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)
An administrative law judge narrowed approximately 25 allegations in petitions regarding New College's campus master plan, leaving specific claims concerning proposed athletic fields, the Education Freedom Institute land development, tree removal in the Uplands Preserve, and vehicle access from Uplands Boulevard to proceed to mediation.
Read the full story at WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)Why It Matters
The legal dispute directly shapes the allowable development, environmental preservation, and infrastructure changes on and around the New College campus.
Key Facts
- An administrative law judge narrowed roughly 25 allegations raised in petitions concerning the New College campus master plan.
- Remaining claims include issues involving proposed athletic fields near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
- Claims regarding the development of land planned for the Education Freedom Institute remain active.
- Disputes over tree removal in the Uplands Preserve are part of the surviving claims.
- Disagreements regarding vehicle access from Uplands Boulevard remain under review.
Who's Mentioned
PersonRon DeSantis“Governor of Florida who installed conservative trustees”PersonLilianne Raud“Petitioner challenging the campus plan”PersonJono Miller“Petitioner challenging the campus plan”OrganizationSouthwest Florida Water Management District“Regional water management district”locationUplands Preserve“Site of disputed tree removal”locationSarasota-Bradenton International Airport“Location near proposed athletic fields in the dispute”locationUplands Boulevard“Location of disputed vehicle access”OrganizationNew College of Florida“Public university undergoing campus master plan updates”PersonPeter Schelhorn“Petitioner challenging the campus plan”OrganizationFlorida Division of Administrative Hearings“State division handling administrative complaints”locationThe Uplands“Subdivision adjacent to New College of Florida”PersonJudy Burns“Uplands Association Inc. President and petitioner”PersonRichard Corcoran“Current New College President”OrganizationEducation Freedom Institute“Proposed institute to be built on campus land”PersonPatricia Okker“Former New College President”OrganizationFlorida Department of Environmental Protection“State environmental agency”PersonKaren Stack“Uplands resident and petitioner”PersonJamie Miller“New College spokesperson”PersonRuth Folit“Petitioner challenging the campus plan”OrganizationNew College“Subject of the campus master plan dispute”