Florida universities are testing new business models — and the results are in - Shalina Chatlani, Education Dive

The University of Southern Florida is embarking on a plan to bring on 350 full-time faculty members in the next five years. Universities in Sarasota, Gainesville, Tallahassee and Orlando are doing the same, with almost 1500 new, mostly-tenure-track positions being added across the region, reports the Tampa Bay Times. The state hopes the investment in faculty will bring more patents, stronger research and greater national prestige to institutions. Additionally, institution officials are predicting shorter times-to-degree, with smaller class sizes and stronger faculty allowing more attention for struggling students and more hands-on learning opportunities to continue to attract students to institutions. But while these institutions are seeing gains, two of Central Florida's largest schools —Valencia College and Seminole State College — have seen zero students graduate from their $10,000 degree programs, pushed by governor Rick Scott five years ago, due to eligibility requirements, cost overruns and inflexibility of constant enrollment, reports the Orlando Sentinel. Primarily targeting nontraditional students with full-time jobs has led to challenges with students not being able to remain continuously enrolled, despite the benefit of lower cost. http://www.educationdive.com/news/florida-universities-are-testing-new-business-models-and-the-results-are/449402/