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Miami Herald
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Bill banning Florida governor from influencing university president hirings passes House
Amid fierce opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida House on Wednesday approved revamping laws about leadership of the higher-education system, including opening information about applicants to become college and university presidents. The House voted 104-8 to pass the bill (HB 1321), which would repeal a 2022 law that provided exemptions to public-records and public-meetings laws for presidential searches. It also includes ending the state university system Board of Governors' role in confirming presidential selections made by university boards of trustees and trying to limit the influence of the governor and other officials on presidential selections. 'We have a fantastic education system,' bill sponsor Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola, said. 'This is not about what we have. This is about showing the voters what we're doing. This is about transparency in government.' But DeSantis, during an appearance Tuesday in Pensacola, blasted the proposed changes and raised the specter of a veto if the bill passes. He said he needs to have authority to make sure universities 'don't run off the rails.' 'It removes the ability of us to ensure that we're holding universities accountable,' he said. Salzman said the bill is not an attack on DeSantis. But it came amid clashes between the House and DeSantis on a series of issues — and after former lawmakers in recent years have been appointed to lead several colleges and universities. Last month, House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, went before the Board of Governors to support the bill and compared the college and university presidential search process to a 'spoils system.' Among the selections in recent years, former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner became president of Florida Atlantic University; former House Speaker Richard Corcoran became president of New College of Florida; former Rep. Mel Ponder became president of Northwest Florida State College; former Rep. Tommy Gregory became president of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota; and former Rep. Fred Hawkins became president of South Florida State College. In February, former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, also a former lawmaker, became interim president of Florida International University. In addition to Florida International, the University of Florida and Florida A&M University are operating with interim presidents, and University of South Florida President Rhea Law has announced she is stepping down. Under the 2022 law providing public-records and public-meetings exemptions, identifying information about most presidential applicants is not disclosed, though information about finalists for the positions is made public. Supporters of the law argued that it was needed to help attract top candidates who might be hesitant to apply for Florida president jobs if their current employers could find out. Rep. Mike Caruso, a Delray Beach Republican who opposed the bill Wednesday, questioned what had changed since 2022. He said the law was about balancing transparency and the need to attract candidates. Salzman said lawmakers supported the 2022 law after receiving assurances that information about the top three finalists for presidencies would be made public. But she said the way the process has played out 'created a huge level of distrust' among people across the state. Currently, university boards of trustees pick presidents, but the Board of Governors must sign off on the picks. The bill would eliminate the Board of Governors' role in giving approval. Also, it would set term limits for members of the Board of Governors, the State Board of Education and university and college boards of trustees. The State Board of Education oversees the college system. In addition, the bill would prevent the governor and other state officials from discussing vacancies or advocating for presidential candidates with members of the Board of Governors, the State Board of Education and university and college trustees. Salzman described that as imposing a 'cone of silence' on officials during presidential searches. A similar Senate bill (SB 1726) has cleared two committees and would need approval from the Rules Committee before it could go to the full Senate. In addition to Caruso, the House bill was opposed Wednesday by Rep. Wallace Aristide, D-Miami; Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R-Belleview; Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes; Rep. Yvonne Hinson, D-Gainesville; Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point; Rep. Patt Maney, R-Shalimar; and Rep. Kiyan Michael, R-Jacksonville.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pierpont Community and Technical College president gone after a little over a year and a half
FAIRMONT — Milan Hayward is out as president of Pierpont Community and Technical College. The school confirmed Wednesday afternoon that Provost Michael Waide has been named interim president. The updated information is also present on the school's website. It's not clear under what circumstances Hayward left the school, or what impact the revolving door of presidents has on the school's faculty and staff. According to the Board of Governors' meeting minutes from a special session on Jan. 9, the board discussed approving a separation agreement as well as the need to name an interim president before Jan. 21. The meeting took place behind closed doors. Stephanie Moore, the school's new marketing director, said the board of governors has officially approved Waide as interim president, and that the school is grateful for Hayward's service to Pierpont. She added the school was in the midst of making preparations to formally announce Waide as the interim president. David Hinkle, chair of the school's board of governors, did not return a phone call requesting comment on the change by press time. The Pierpont Board of Governors unanimously agreed to hire Hayward in April 2023. '[Hayward's] experience in workforce development, grant development, community outreach and building partnerships with K-12 school systems fits perfectly with Pierpont's vision for its future,' Hinkle said in 2023. 'We look forward to working with Dr. Hayward as he begins his presidential leadership of Pierpont Community and Technical College.' After Hayward's predecessor, Johnny M. Moore, stepped down in 2021, the board spent two years looking for a replacement. During that period the school went through two interim presidents, Anthony Hancock and Kathleen Nelson. The school faced the threat of dissolution in 2022, when a bill in the West Virginia State Legislature sought to re-merge Fairmont State University and Pierpont. The dissolution episode led to poor relations between both schools which Hayward made a point to fix during his presidency. His mission gained new currency after Fairmont State's new president, Mike Davis, also signaled his desire to bring both institutions together in cooperation rather than rivalry. Hayward and Davis hosted a luncheon in August 2023 at the Marion County Chamber of Commerce where both men made it clear rivalry was not the way forward, and that a better Fairmont 'first requires breaking bread.' At the event, Hayward said he intended to meet with Davis at least once a quarter. Hayward also had the task of carving out an individual identity for Pierpont. The college held regular 'Experience Pierpont' days to introduce the community to the school and get the word out about the opportunities it offered. 'The community college is all about meeting folks where they are,' Hayward said. 'And helping them realize their interests, strengths and develop those talents and come away with skill sets that they can put to work right away and make a difference in their family and their community.' Waide began his administrative career at Pierpont in 2016, when according to his LinkedIn account, the school hired him as a chief judicial officer. Waide's job was to investigate complaints of violations of the student code of conduct and impose sanctions. From there, Waide became academic dean of the School of Health Sciences, as well as interim provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Waide is also a tenured professor in the Medical Laboratory Technology program and is a licensed medical laboratory scientist. In 2022, Waide spoke in support of a plan to allow Pierpont students who complete a health science degree to qualify for credit hours at Fairmont State University. According to his bio on the school's website, Waide has two masters degrees as well as a doctorate in education. Waide's research focused on the relationship between the resilience and persistence of nontraditional-aged community college students and academic success.
