January 17, 2003

As Florida Politicians Land University Presidencies, Some Professors Question Their Qualifications

By JULIANNE BASINGER

CAMPUS POLITICOS: Several Florida politicians seem to be on their way to university presidencies in the state, and that has some professors asking whether political connections alone are behind their potential appointments.

Five of the state's 11 public universities have been seeking new presidents, and three have just hired or are contemplating hiring state political leaders. That trend has upset many faculty members, who blame the politicization of the boards that oversee Florida's