Communications
Gov. DeSantis signs the state budget for fiscal year 2026-27
Dear University Community,
Earlier today, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law the state budget for the 2026-27
fiscal year. The budget includes the transfer of facilities on the USF Sarasota-
Manatee campus to New College of Florida, effective with the start of the new
fiscal year on July 1.
As I have emphasized throughout this process, my priority has been, and always
will be, our people. USF retains more than $22 million in recurring operating
funds associated with the Sarasota-Manatee campus, which means all faculty
and staff will remain employed, and we continue to engage our stakeholders in
the Sarasota-Manatee community to ensure USF’s role in supporting the region’s
growth.
More than 1,000 students will be part of the teach-out and our advisors have
been meeting with each student individually to ensure their academic needs are
met. Among the 137 faculty, the overwhelming majority already have been
matched with roles in Tampa or St. Petersburg and deans continue to work with
those still exploring options. We have surveyed and will be meeting with the 120
staff and administrative team members as well.
More details about our transition plans are available on a Sarasota-Manatee
Information page.
I shared an update on the progress of our planning at this morning’s final meeting
of the USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Board. Chair Rick Piccolo, who also
serves on the USF Board of Trustees, Vice Chair Dr. Anila Jain, former state Sen.
Lisa Carlton, Bill Mariotti, Diana Michel and Ernie Withers are ardent supporters
of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. I presented each of these
dedicated board members with a presidential certificate of appreciation for their
longstanding commitment to the campus and to USF.
In other portions of the state budget, I am pleased to share that USF will receive
significant new funding for key capital projects and important university initiatives
that will enhance student success, research excellence and our institution’s
overall impact. As the governor and legislators have continued to prioritize
reducing the state’s total budget this year and stressed the need for universities
to operate efficiently, we deeply appreciate this increased support.
Below is a summary of the new investments in USF:
USF Operating Budget
- A $3.5 million recurring and $2 million nonrecurring increase to USF’s
operational budget. Among the use of these funds is the expansion
of critical research initiatives, including at the Darryl E. Rouson
Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research. - Over $4 million recurring and $2 million nonrecurring operational
support for the Florida Institute for Parkinson’s Disease at USF
Health that was established in law last year. This funding will
continue to position USF as a national leader in Parkinson’s and
related neurological research, advance discoveries and improve
outcomes for patients living with Parkinson’s disease.
USF Facilities
- $25 million to build a facility to house the Bellini College of Artificial
Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing that will further position
Tampa Bay as a global leader in these fields. The state funds will
supplement the record-setting $40 million private gift from Arnie and
Lauren Bellini to create this new college. - $10 million for phase one of the design and construction of the USF
Health Translational Research Institute facility, which will empower
USF to grow our research portfolio and bring the university closer to
reaching its goal of securing $1 billion in annual research funding. - $8 million to invest in various campus life facility projects, funded by
the Capital Improvement Trust Fund.
We were also pleased to receive a new $3 million nonrecurring investment to
grow USF's initiatives that bolster national and critical infrastructure security.
In addition, the budget authorizes USF to use debt to pay for the construction
and development of the Fletcher District, which will be a vibrant, transformational
mixed-use project. This authorization helps ensure the district will open on
schedule for USF students and the community in fall 2028.
While this was another successful year for USF, the governor did exercise his
line-item veto authority to remove $200,000 in new nonrecurring funds for the
Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Research within USF Health. The center will
still receive the $300,000 in recurring funds it gets appropriated from the state
annually.
Given the state’s overall budget constraints and approximately $1.7 billion in total
funding vetoed from the budget, including $810 million in individual line-item
projects, USF fared well and we are grateful for the continued investments from
Governor DeSantis and members of the Legislature, including Senate President
Ben Albritton, House Speaker Daniel Perez and our entire Tampa Bay Area
Legislative Delegation. Additionally, we appreciate the leadership of the Board of
Governors, including Chair Alan Levine and Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, for their
work on behalf of the State University System. We are also very fortunate to have
the guidance of Chair Mike Griffin and our Board of Trustees, who strongly
advocate for USF.
I am deeply grateful to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, community partners
and friends for the many ways you demonstrate the extraordinary impact Bulls
are making everywhere. Your commitment helps show our state leaders that an
investment in USF delivers exceptional value. Together, we will build on USF’s
remarkable progress and continue accelerating our momentum.
Sincerely,
Moez Limayem, PhD
President