Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

>> Good afternoon and welcome to the Appropriations Committee on higher education. I am delighted to have you all here. And we have an important meeting today. Not only are we going to be hearing some bills, but we will continuing with our process of confirmations. And we do have several people. We will be confirming several in person and the others via zoom. And I'm delighted that that we're here. What I'd like to do is first let's call the roll and make sure we do have a quorum. Senator Bracy Davis here, Senator Burgess Senator Calatayud Senator Davis, Senator leak Vice Chair Bradley Senator Harrell, here you have. Yes, we have a quorum. We do have a court ever ready for fall. And please, for the record note that Senator Davis and Senator Burgess are excused from today's meeting. And I'd like to remind everybody who ever has anything that beeps, beeps buzzes or makes noise. Please put it on silent at this time. And if you'd like to speak either on the bills or if you have a public comment on any of the conf, the appointments that we will be confirming, please fill out an appearance card and give it to one of our sergeants and we'll make sure you are heard depending on our time frame, of course. So first, let's go ahead and we're going to start with tab one which is Senate bill. 176, on post-secondary education, safety policies and procedures by Senator Polsky and you are recognized. >> Thank you, Chair Harrell for agreeing to hear this important bill. This bill addresses a current gap in how Florida's public universities communicate safety procedures when members of the campus community received threats to there physical safety, while many higher education institutions have their own various policies on emergency management conduct and workplace violence, there's currently no requirement for consistent publicly available guidance. That clear. The explains has students, faculty or staff should report threats who is responsible for responding or what steps will follow. Once report is made specifically this bill requires institutions to identify a point of coordination, establish clear internal and external reporting protocols outline available protective measures and provide timely updates to affected individuals, institution excuse me in affected individuals, institutions retain full discretion over how these policies are implemented. The need for this bill came to light after a serious incident in which a faculty member feared for their safety and struggle to identify the appropriate reporting path. A broader review show that this lack of clarity is not unique to that one institution. The focus of the bill is transparency and accessibility, not policy creation, even or institutions already have relevant procedures. Those procedures must be understandable and easy to navigate in real time, particularly during stressful are dangerous situations. This legislation strengthens campus safety by ensuring that when a thread occurs, no one is left guessing who to contact what to do or what support is available and that is the bill. We will get that on the thank you very much. Senator Polsky. Are there any questions? Any questions? >> Thank you. I just want one clarification. Will there be a posting of names and numbers for students to call in case there are incidents or whatever that they would like to report on these and just kind? Of course, 9-1-1, is always available. But it is there any provision to have students were not just faculty members and staff. >> Thank you for the question. This does include for everyone for its students, faculty, staff and visitors. So it's for everyone on campus and I don't think we specify exactly how they publicize is. So everybody knows but it will be there available for everyone. >> Okay. Thank you very much. We do have an amendment and that is timely filed and its bar code 1, 6, 0, 8, 8, 6, and you're recognized to present the Amendment. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. This amendment clarifies that the desired safety procedures are to address conduct against persons and on defined credible threats. This change will improve the ability of institutions to implement the necessary safety procedures and was drafted with the support of your excellent committee staff. That is the amendment. Thank you very much for the questions on the amendment. Seeing no questions. We have no public appearance on the amendment. No public appearance on the amendment. Is there debate is there objection to the amendment? Seeing no objection. The amendment is adopted as presented. We're now back on the bill as amended any further questions on the bill as amended seeing no questions. We have public testimony now seeing no public testimony is there debate. >> Thank you for doing this. Senator Polsky. We've had a lot of incidents in Florida. We've had some really horrific incidents in Florida and we want to make sure that everybody knows who to contact, of course, is always 9-1-1. But if there are threats that are not immediate, if you get a threat and we have had some situations in our public school systems, the selling addresses higher education. But in our public school systems, we've had the same type of thing. And I think perhaps we need to think further through Honor K through 12 system on the set, we do have a mechanism, an app where we have the ability to do anonymous threat alerts, but sometimes those who misuse too. So this is an important step forward to protect everyone on our campuses. So thank you for doing this. And with that, you're recognized to close. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I think this bill was meant to mirror the requirements for K through 12 so that they they are required to have these policies. But the post-secondary were not. So that's why we're kind of fixing the glitch in in the statute. So thank you so much for that. Excellent close. And with that, let's have a favorable support. >> Please call the roll on Senate Bill 176. Senator Bracy Davis. Yes, Senator Burgess, Senator Calatayud. Yes. Senator Davis, senator leak. Yes. Vice Chair Bradley Chair Harrell. Yes. And by your Vote CS for SB 176, will be reported favorably. Congratulations. All righty. Next. We will hear tab 2 by our very own Vice chair Senator Bradley. And that is Senate Bill. 116 diabetes research. >> Thank you. Chair Harrell senators. This bill establishes the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute for purpose that for purposes of advancing research, improving clinical outcomes and increasing public awareness of all forms of diabetes. The bill authorizes the Institute to Focus on research, prevention care, education, collaboration, and outreach. It allows the creation of databases and other administrative functions related to its mission. And that is the bill. Madam Chair, thank you very much. Are there any questions on the bill seeing no questions. We do have some public testimony. >> Thank you very much. And we have Yvonne Fernandez from AARP and they are waiving in support. Thank you very much. And we have Monica Rodriguez, I who is waiving in support and in favor. Are you there this month? I do see. You're okay. Thank you very much for being here. Is there debate on the bill? I just would like to say. Thank you so very much. Senator Bradley. We have a huge increase in research. I mean, in diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes and having this ripped diabetes research center at the University of Florida. Got to say, go Gators, always, I think, is it really central to making sure we're getting their research done? This so many new things coming out not only in the treatment, but also to prevent diabetes long-term, especially in type 2 diabetes. So thank you for this. Coordinating this across the state with all our different entities to new research will make a big difference. So with that, you're recognized to close. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And you are so right, diabetes is increasing public health issue. In 2015, the Diabetes Institute was established at the University of Florida as an umbrella organization to organize research, education and treatment. And that institute has become a global leader in this bill will take that a step further. We will codified in statute, and I think that it will be a real catalyst for continued research and improved outcome. So I appreciate your support. >> Thank you very much. Would you please call the roll on Senate Bill? 816? >> Senator Bracy Davis. Yes. Senator Burgess Senator Calatayud Senator Davis, Senator Lee. Yes, vice chair Bradley. >> Yes. And by your vote, Senate Bill 816 will be reported favorably reported favorably. Now, I do want to apologize. We did miss an appearance card from the Florida parent Teacher Association, Michele Decker. And that was speaking in favor of Senate Bill 176. when debt is she. Thank you very much. Waiving in support. You're now in the record. Thank you for being here. All righty. Next. We're going to move into our confirmation procedures. And as you all familiar, we are this is a very important responsibility that we have as the committee on higher education to confirm all the nominees for various appointments to the boards of trustees of various state colleges in universities. So we will start this morning this afternoon with those in person and at the conclusion we will take a block vote on all the country, the confirmations unless somebody would like to pull one off. If you prefer to have a separate vote on any of these, we will vote on that one separately. Otherwise at the conclusion of all the testimony we will vote on in a block. So let's go ahead and start on tab. 7 senators we have Nester. Would you please come forward? And he is a new appointment to the board of trustees of Florida International University. And would you raise your right hand, sir? Do you swear or affirm that the evidence you're about to give to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Thank you. And you are recognized. You have about all set the stage. You have about that Florida 5 minutes to tell us who you are. Give us your connection to the university. And most importantly, we want to hear what your vision is, what your goal is. What do you want to see if I you accomplish and how can you help make it happen and you're recognized is your mic on? >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And it's a great pleasure for me to be here today. And it's a great pleasure to be nominated to be on the board of directors of Florida International University. Just to give you a little bit of my background, my parents came to this country in 1969, from Cuba. And they came to this country to be able to provide better education for us and be able to give us the opportunity to live in a free country. And they they did that. And I am just so proud that I grew up in Miami. I went to school in Miami-Dade County, attended EFI you and I've continued to help the community as much as as I can't. I've been in the healthcare industry all of my life. I have worked in the hospital systems in the managed care systems. Today we operate one of the largest Medicaid programs across the state of Florida, taking care of the most vulnerable populations. And I and throughout my career, I've been able to see what EFI you has done and the work that they've done for the community and for folks that have grown up in the community and been able to attend that university and give back not only to South Florida but give back to the rest of the state and and the rest of the country. I have a huge interest in health care. As I mentioned, that I come from the health care industry. And one of the things that I would like to see is continued research exactly what we were just talking about with research from diabetes, research on oncology and EFI. You is really taken a huge step in towards that ability. And we have to continue to be able to bring the best possible providers and the best possible medical professionals into our community and keep them within our community. And that is one of the goals that I have to be able to serve on the board and to help the board f I U has an amazing management team. They have a new president who has the right principles that understands the state of Florida extremely well and understands what the goal of what the great state of Florida is trying to continue to accomplish. So for me, it's a huge honor to be able to to serve on this board and to be able to give back. We continue to grow in in in South Florida. We continue to have more and more individuals. And I'm just so proud to say that the the fees and the tuition at EFI you are controlled and were able to keep a lot more of our members in our community, local. And so then they could continue to move on with their higher education. So just wanted to thank all of you for this opportunity and you have any questions. I'll be happy to us. Thank you very much. Are there questions Senator Calatayud in questions? >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a point of personal privilege. I I want to say that Mr. Plan is an example of one of the trustees. I think universities across the state would love to see hopefully there institution. So I'm grateful that he's going to be a part of the leadership team at my alma mater. I think he's going to do a spectacular job. Thank you any further comments or questions. Thank you very much. Appreciate your comments. And certainly we had a conversation earlier and I did ask you the >> and complex yet or is didn't have a chance to look. I sure the alright, do we know what during thing that we're going to track very closely and I'm gonna go back even to our business. And I asked some of our leaders to make sure that that we're putting in efforts to be able to improve those scores for for schools and for programs across the state. Okay. Did you have a chance to look them up yet? Well, I'm I'm sure you will. I will miss Yang to it. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. So very much. But are there any any other comments or questions? Thank you very much. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Send us next. We will go to Clarence Stephen Moore. I think you go by Steve. And he's a reappointment to the board of trustees of the University of North Florida. Welcome. Would you please raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm that the evidence you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. And thank you and you are recognized, sir. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Committee. I'm sorry, a little frog here, but I. >> Unf is a special place for me and actually ended up in Jacksonville 30 something years ago because my wife was a student unf. So I started my life in Jacksonville. We were dating at the time and I now been there. 32 years married. We've raised for kids in the Jacksonville area, eventually receive my undergrad and master's degree from Unf actually had the opportunity to work at Unf Todd, a couple classes, which which was a great honor. So when I when I talk about my vision for UF, I come from a personal is very personal for me. I look at my journey. I was a first generation student and a half and the way the faculty and staff you no doubt that with me and me being introduced to this whole new world having a job before everyone graduated. That's those are important things. And I think those are the things that you and have we do a tremendous job and continue to do better. I've been on the board the last 3 years. We've seen our we've seen our retention rates skyrocket with our students. We've seen we've seen our community investment skyrocket. We've seen the investment from from the taxpayers through the elected officials increase. And I'm always proud to say the return on investment to do all those to all those stakeholders. To me, it's it's great there. There is no question of is college worth it and unf. That's what I wanted to always be. I want the student to say, wow, this was a launching for my career, which was for me, community members to say, well, when I need something, I'm going to go to u N F whether it's research internships, which we also have set records in internships at unf that those are imports are ticket programs, even though we're a four-year, you know, Grad graduate doctor degree University. We have certificate program. So on someone in the community needs additional education may not be for your that come to you enough. You know, I talk about is college worth it and you hear that a lot. And the that that's to me, the number one question we should always ask, make sure that answer is always no, yes, excuse. There's never a of higher education Appropriations Committee will. Yeah, is that never know. And I never know it always. Yes. And it was for me and you know, as a as a as a board member, that is always going to be the most important thing. When I look at our students, especially I want a student to come the UF and leave them go well, this this was good. >> Thank you. Are there any questions or comments? Yes, Senator Bradley. >> Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair and I have the the real joy of having to universities in our state university system that impact my district and the University of Florida, obviously in Alachua County in Gainesville and I unf in Jacksonville, which is just outside my district. But it is a huge part of educating my district and providing services and really changing lives of the people that live in my district. And so thank you. I know you spent 3 years on the board. I just I have a request and that is that you don't spend too much time with Mr. Pond and tell him how much time is required at this job, because I can tell you I know how hard you work and whatever you thought it might be to be a member of the board of trustees. >> It's a lot more than that. And it's a lot of time. And so to all of our our conferees who are new and job done right, takes a lot of time to to leave the ship of universities to first. Thank you for your incredible service and please, maybe all don't to catch up after the meeting. Thank. >> Yes, thank you. It is a major commitment, as you know, you know, having served there before and I have to say have a lot of family in Jacksonville and they just think so highly of what unf is doing and will continue to do as you and you'll be on this search for new president coming because, of course, we know you're president is going on to University of South Florida, which is where I also have grants and so vested in that one as well. But I appreciate your willingness to serve again and is sent. Senator Bradley said for those who are on waiting to speak on zoom, it's a major commitment and your willingness to take every appointment is very important. Thank you for what you're doing. Thank you. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I missed you. Senator Calatayud. I go right ahead. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And I just want to add Mr where the first thing he after he met me as a chair of the hired policy community. When can you get to you enough? And I think the that enthusiasm passion and love for ones institution is is really really special. So again, it Unf is is very, very lucky to have trustees like yourself, Sir. One more question for me. What your and click score. Do you know? >> No, I did. Yeah. No idea. We'll find out that they needed. We want to at least at the national average. Please. We're watching. Thank you. Next, we're going to go to zoom if we could get our seem up. >> Are we there we on? Okay. We are. All righty. And our first con free is going to be is Marie and rail. Who is a reappointment to the board of trustees of Miami Dade College. Are you there miss and rail? Are you there? She's not there. Okay. Let's move on to the next one and we will pick you up later. Let's move to Mark fill burn. Who is a reappointment to the board of trustees of the University of Central Florida. Mr. Fill Burn. Yes, good afternoon, chair Harrell. Good afternoon, I think and probably when you speak a little bit more, come up on our picture frame. But would you please raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm that the evidence you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Thank you and you are recognized. >> Thank you. Chair Harrell and members of the committee. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to appear before you today and deeply honored by my reappointment to the Board of Trustees for UCF. And I also understand the responsibility associated with serving on the board some background on me. I am an attorney and president of a construction development company. I merely engaged in it providing affordable housing throughout the United States. I've also been involved with educational institutions for over 20 years specifically. I have been on the board of visitors to wait for small school for 20 years, assisting the dean of the law school that cheating the goals of the school. Similarly, I was on the Board of Visitors for Lake County and Prepare Tory school and assisted the president in achieving the goals of the school. And recently I spent the past year on the board of trustees at UCF. This is to present it cheating. The goals of the university education has always been important to me and I believe UCF and the other state universities in Florida have a special mission to educate our citizens and help improve our society. My wife received her MBA from The C F so we have felt a connection to the University for many years. Additionally UCF plays an important role and central Florida and I want to help UCF continue to improve this university, which I believe will in turn improve the quality of life to Central Florida. For example, UCF wants to continue to improve its insurance school to become one of the of the and Sherri schools in the country by so doing UCF will continue to draw companies with good jobs to Central Florida. We want to employ ensuring graduates of UCF in conclusion. I believe this to be an exciting time at UCF and I'm excited to have an opportunity to help UCF and its journey as a pre eminent University. >> Thank you very much. Are there any questions, any questions or comments? Well, thank you so very much for your commitment to UCF and I want to congratulate UCF and it it's endeavors and working so hard to join the preeminent status that will be forthcoming. I do believe in this next year and along with that comes additional dollars, which I know that you will really appreciate. And as far as I know, the the addition to the engineering school is significant. And I know you have an outstanding engineering school and also you do lot robotics and things of that sort. So it's going to be a a tremendous addition is as it moves forward as you all move forward in in building that as the largest university number wise, you play a very important part in central Florida. And I know is a reappointment. You'll continue to work to make sure that that continues to be the role. But thank you any further comments or questions. Thank you very much. Thank you, chair. Next we will turn. We will go to tab 9 and we will hear from Frederick IMC go by Rick Piccolo and Mr. Piccolo, I understand you are a new appointment to the board of trustees of the University of South Florida to have to say go bulls for my grandson and you are which you raise your right hand, sir, do you swear or affirm that the evidence you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Thank you. You're recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chairman and members of the committee, I'm honored to be nominated for the Board of Governors for Trustee at USF. I actually just finished a term as a trustee of us that as a governor appointment, I also served on the USF consolidation task force as well as 2 presidential search committee. So I've been very involved in the university for a number of years. And I also have to graduates from USF my wife, Sally and mice on time. I just retired after serving 30 years as president of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, which was the fastest growing airport, the world that reportedly plain funny. 23, I served on a number of business charitable, an aviation boards and the airport is also unique and that we have to schools on the airport itself. A great 5 to 12 charter school. This 96% minority an 83% economically disadvantaged children. And we got them on a career path in aviation. And we also have an airframe and powerplant or airplane mechanic school that was just established at the airport as well. So education is very much in my interest. My vision is also to continue the outstanding progress that USF has made over the last few years, including the invitation to be included in the America and the Association of American Universities, which is one of 71 top universities and research in North America. We just recently added in the cybersecurity and I college and I look forward to helping that to continue to grow and prosper. And we also had 750 million research dollars this year and hopefully we'll get to the 1 billion mark very soon in the future. I also look forward to working with as our new president. So time happy to answer any questions that I think the members for the privilege to share some time with you. Any answer any such. >> Thank you very much. Are there questions and thank you. We appreciate your being here and especially your commitment to University of South Florida. I think the I've been there many times it and but have really had some in-depth conversations with the with a center for nursing. That is part of that, your your university, but also dealing with a new cybersecurity program. I think that is a a major endeavor. And as you move forward as a new trustee, I I would hope that that becomes a major part of the university given where we are today and the 3 actually face across the state with cybersecurity. So would you agree more? Thank you. Any further comments or questions. Thank you very much for being here. Thank you. That thank U. Next. We'll move on to Nancy Watkins, Pennington Hemingway. Nancy, I Miss Watkins or their guests on year. Would you please raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm that the evidence you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. >> And you will be a new appointee again to the board of trustees at University of South Florida. And Go Bulls is again. Go bulls. Go gauges. Goebbels. Yes. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. My name is she says Nancy Hemingway Watkins and I thank you for the opportunity to peer for you today to you. Have you consider my recommendation for Senate confirmation? I'm a certified public account and I'm in practice in Tampa part doing that. My husband, Robert Watkins, also a Florida CPA. Our from Robert Watkins and company was founded in 1980. I'm a Native Floridian born in Miami Beach. And I've lived in Tampa since 1971, I'm active in my church. Many volunteer opportunities in the area, including the regional American Red Cross efforts and many lineage organizations involved in historic preservation, a scholarship opportunities. In addition to my credential is a CPA. I am a professional, registered parliamentarian as such. I'm well versed in the proper role of governance versus management and the duties and members of governing boards. I've actually conducted training workshops and this provides statewide and national organizations specifically related to disappointment. I've been engaged in Florida, higher education, governance continuously since 1999, having first been appointed by then Governor Jeb Bush to the District Board of trustees of Hillsborough Community College, where I served until 2013, when I received a previous appointment to the Board of trustees of USF when Board of Governors term limits in did my tenure on that board in 2021, I was again appointed to serve on the ACC board where it remained for 5 years until the recent appointment again to USF last month. I myself am a product of the 2 plus 2 system of Florida educate higher education. And I'm a graduate of both Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida. And I can tell you not tell you what a great honor it's been taken serving, continue serving both of my album, Otters and to participate in the impact they have on our region and state. Should I be confirmed to serve? My section vision would be to include continuing the incredible trajectory of the University of South Florida. Now, a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and Help facilitate the expanding medical district downtown Tampa and USF House impactful collaboration with Tampa General Hospital in that effort and to continue the training of our much-needed physicians and nurses in our top rated more sonic dissent and College of Nursing as Trustee. Piccolo said, our research portfolio has reached 750 million and we aspire to Saint Reach 1 Billion. This innovation has major economic impact. Could state of Florida and food and products to this research and innovation have a major impact on the lives of people worldwide like to expand and continue this to this and that the very essence of everything we do and will be student success. Keep our graduation up and high students out without excess out, which is important attracting and developing and recruiting great. Well, why recognize faculty will be important and a woman gauge and we have this new stadium going up. A sandwich is going to dramatically change the culture of the university, I believe and I'm excited to. And to be part of that, it will and engage our alumni more which should help our can large our foundation portfolio and all these incident alignment with my experience training and talent I've been appointed, not surprisingly is a member of the Audit and Compliance Committee of the Board of Trustees and the Governance Committee. And I appreciate your time today and hope to get your support for consideration of this appointment and welcome any questions you might have. Thank you very much. Are there any questions? I'm not seeing no questions. I just want to thank you for your commitment. >> Since you've already been on the board, you know the work that senator, yeah, you'd referred to as the depth of energy and work it takes to do this. You're very aware of the responsibilities as well as the major commitment you making. And as I said earlier, too, country Piccolo, I think this is a university of South Florida is well on its way. It's already a preeminent. And what I see what is going on in your medical school, which is outstanding. And we do have Moffitt here today and of course, there in part with you. So what's happening there is amazing and look forward to working with you in higher education and ever. So any further comments or questions. Thank you very much for being here today and we'll be voting. Thank you. Let me see is is Mary Henry on on it? They're miss Maria. Miss only you there. No, okay. Let's go to Allan Flores. So you there. Mister Flores. I am indeed. Yes, thank you. I I hope you got the notification in time to step out and thank you. I know how how complicated your schedule was today to make this work and I appreciate it greatly. >> I very much appreciate the accommodation. Appreciate the opportunity for to come before the committee. So thank you very much, Madam Chair. >> Would you please raise your right hand, sir? Do you swear or affirm that the evidence you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Thank you. And you're recognize you are in that you see you are reappointment to the board of trustees of the University of Central Florida and you are recognized Lou. >> Thank you very much. There was a there was a break up there in in my service in which I was appointed in 2006 by Governor Bush and then appointed again by Governor Scott in 2011. And I tell you ended in 2016, and I'm very grateful to be in the position to be appointed again to the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees. I am incredibly passionate about UCF. My connection to it is very D I graduated in 1998. The reason I came to the state of Florida from Rhode Island where I grew up is because of UCF and the transport my life. And I believe it has the power as does along as do the other institutions that we have in our great state of Florida have the opportunity to transform students 2 to success in so many ways and I believe in our missions. So I also which UCF I will have the honor of being board member of the UCF Athletics Association, a board member of the UCF Foundation and currently the chairman of the Advisory Council for UCF Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Education which aligns with my career and and I am in the insurance brokerage industry and other other connections to our state and and things that I do to make sure that I am a an active participant in making this a continuing to make this the greatest state in the union. I am a member of the Florida Council of 100 and also the chairman of the Halifax Health Board of Commissioners in Volusia County. And so to be service is paramount. But this one is very, very special to me because it UCF. And so when I focus on the the goals that I want to contribute to as a member of the board, I first and foremost want to be a consequential member of the board, adding material value in achieving our strategic goals. Among those I hope to focus on our goal to be a top. 25 public engineering college. I think it's very consequential. That UCF is a number one supplier of every space engineering jobs. And I think we need to continue that. One of the ways is to make sure that we strive from a regular. I think 44, something like that, a top. 25. >> In education, public engineering colleges, we need to continue to focus on job creation. Ucf I think has a a terrific history as it relates to. >> Can be. >> Very additive to our central Florida economy and our economy overall in the state of Florida. And I believe that the the Board of trustees can continue to provide direction that will ensure that that occurs. The insurance, the Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Education is incredibly important to UCF. And our state has a significant industry as it relates to insurance. And the central Florida in particular, in Volusia County, especially in orange and Seminole have an opportunity to be greatly benefited by a UCF risk management school. It will bring about great opportunities, unemployment and continue to help those economies there. We have historically says I was on the board and through today. I'm very proud of you, CS history on financial responsibility and efficiency. I think it's incredibly important to be very good stewards of the public dollar. And I believe UCF is focused on that. And I believe the administration hasn't done very well there. And we need to continue to ensure that that occurs. We all we do have opportunities to prevent to perform, mentioned, to prove on performance funding metrics. And I want to be a valuable member that and that is able to ensure accountability and that arena. And and as far as future goals, UCF aspires to be a top. 25 public research University research funding is incredibly important to us. And in terms of being able to increase that year after year in a meaningful way so that we can be the top. 25 and I I also from in trustee, look to see perspective UCF has a ways to go in our endowment funding and I believe trustees are in a position to be helpful there and I plan on doing something. >> Thank you. Are there any questions you're recognized? Thank you. I have so many questions about this particular candidate. >> Allen Flores is as a good friend and business partner. Might I just want to say you'll never find anybody more dedicated to UCF than Island. Flores and I look forward to supporting it. >> Thank you. Senator Lake, thank you very much. We appreciate that. And thank you for your commitment to UCF. >> I think the engineering school is moving really up in the rankings and very strong the the expansion there and the commitment to that, especially given your proximity to the Cape and what you're doing producing at not just engineers, but also technicians and people who will be going and looking at the cape is very significant. And we want to continue to build all our universities and now you're about to enter the the realm of preeminence coming very soon. So congratulations. Congratulations on that commitment. Okay. I think we do. Have we gonna have to go with a phone interview because I think a summary Maria yet. Okay. Miss Marie Alley there I am hour. You can go to put your the phone right next to the microphone so everyone can hear you. And would you please raise your right hand? Do you swear do you swear or affirm that the evidence you're about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Yes, I didn't. Thank you very much. And you are recognized. >> Thank you all. Thank you all. So or for the opportunity to LA to present before you as a candidate for the board of trustees for Miami-Dade College. You know, I I'm fully vested on the success of a college. Not only am I an alumna of Miami Dade College it, but I also have a daughter that graduated not once but twice in Miami Dade College. She got she got a yes. And and for the U.S.. And so she is now a nurse at one of our local hospital saying that for office. I haven't are gentle and been very successful. So she is also a very proud along of Miami-Dade College. So I'm fully invested in the institutions success, you know, understanding that Miami-Dade is it's not just the largest college in our state, but also in the U.S. actually. And and, you know, we've received. And so I as as a board of trustee, I've this is a time I've had the opportunity to a lot to sitting the accreditation process for the college, very, you know, very proud of the accomplishments of a call and certainly very proud to have been serving a college while this accreditation process took place. And it was really a ratification of the outstanding job that college doesn't as a board member, the work that we do to support so many members in our community, rice, Miami-Dade College in South Florida. And you know, to your senators are from South Florida. So I know that and they know that Miami-Dade, it has touched just about every home in Miami Dade College. And so really being able to pay it forward for me is not just the responsibility 5, but comes with a big sense of pride. So I I I have been I have been higher Ed 21 years prior to my current. Also, I understand the student's experience and I understand very close. See that, you know, the Board of trustees responsibility is is really too to protect. You know, that's a colleges resources to make sure. And that's something that, you know, I I hold that very dear and close to what I do and operations person. So really making sure that that our resources are really focused on the student experience and the the learning that teaching so making sure that those resources appropriated in the right areas is is important. You know. And and certainly for me, the education that I received in Miami-Dade, you know, was was outstanding. And I want to make sure that that same experience is something that all of our students and our future graduates are able to to receive. So I do know that, Tom, you know, one of the other areas that we focus in on very closely is ensuring that that workforce development strategy, it's aligned waste, you know, with the developments in our state and the industries within our state. So Miami Dade College has been very as a pioneer as a college in an AI as many of you know, and and we try to align the degrees certificates that we that we focus in on on the industries are striving in our state to be able to allow the students when they graduate to LA to drive right into the malls themselves. So so create a coming up for themselves and also be able to, you know, also families forward. So that's that's important, making sure that that we that we really attacked the students and ensure that they are aligned weeks. The areas of what forced development in our state is is very important. >> To me, as I mentioned, I'm here I have a daughter graduated from and from the medical campus of Miami-Dade College as a nice and and certainly very grateful for the work that they did. I was able to bring in the South Florida off the House on nation and they they have committee million dollars to to Miami Dade College for scholarships in the 19 DASH S so very proud of that. And continuing to, you know, Al also protect the reputation of the institution and ensuring that that they continue to live are not seeing excellence in our community. It's something that that I see that we do very well and I'm very proud to be a part of. So with that said, I'm open to any questions, any questions or comments, questions or comments. >> Thank you very much for your commitment and also especially for your commitment to the with your experience with your daughter in the nursing school. And I'm asking this for those who have mentioned anything in the medical arena and do you know what the end collects Korea's for Miami-Dade? >> The end plex or so. >> I want to say I want to give you an accurate. Okay. It is very high guys. Want to I s pass things and the state and terrifying. Yes. Okay. I want to give a okay. I'm just debt. Just curious, given the legislation moving and thank you so much for 8 point for your kind of their their attention. Also rivals those of universities and for our colleges, retention becomes that much more challenging the staff. They they receives students, right, that they don't have the luxury of accepting only those high academic achieving students. Sometimes we receive students act. >> 45% of of succeeding in college. And yet they're successful in Miami Day because of the support that they receive. And that's something that we also very proud of of of doing. Right. >> Thank you very much. Any further questions or comments. Thank you so very much. And I'm sorry we can get you on this, but this worked out. Just fine. >> Appreciate thank. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right, Kate it. Thank you. Okay. Senators, we are heard all the comments. We have all the individuals we have before us. Is there any appointee that you would like to vote on separately? Is there any appointee that anyone would like to vote on separately, seeing none. We will then be taking up the entire group as a block. Is there a motion to confirm all the individuals we have heard from today? Is there a motion so moved Senator Bracy Davis moves that we can from all the conferees to date. Wait a minute. We do have a point. I mean, we will take a break. That was for excuse me. We do have 1.1 appearance card from Michelle Drucker who is speaking for information on the UCF Board of Trustees. So sorry. I didn't see your card. Thank you, chair. >> I thank you all. I just want I was here to waive in support of the bill and hearing about all these wonderful appointments that are happening. I wanted to just provide some information. My daughter attended the University of Central Florida and Engineering College. She was number 3 in her class at Coral Gables, Senior High in the I P program full presidential scholarship. Bright futures had opportunities to attend other brand-name universities and she said, mom, you know, they're not 70,000 times better than the UCF engineering college. She is a remarkable graduate. She has gone on to pursue her studies and a PhD in computer science with a focus on AI for transportation. She is transgender. And I just I'm hoping that all of these trustees know that talent comes in places that you might not expect. Unfortunately, she's not continuing her studies in Florida because she feels the chilling effect of the state no longer provide safe space for her. And I would just like all of these trustees to be aware that you are losing some talent when you don't create a safe space for the students. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. >> Okay. We will move back on to our confirmation process. Is there a motion to recommend confirmation confirmation of all the individuals we heard from today so moved we had 2 motions. Then we were interrupted. We have a second one. Okay. We will have a first and a second. Thank you. Please call the roll on the confirmations of individuals named in tabs one through 10. >> Senator Bracy Davis. Yes. Senator Burgess Senator Calatayud Senator Davis. Senator leak. Yes, vice chair Bradley chair Harrell. Yes. And by your vote, the confirmation of the appointees and tabs 4 through 10 will be reported favorably. Is there anyone any votes to be registered before we adjourn? Many of the bills for today seeing none. Is there any further business to come before the committee seeing none. Senator Bradley moves. We adjourn. We are adjourned