Polytechnic purchases $10,000 sci-fi statues
Darth Vader, Captain Kirk and E.T. are among the latest characters to join the saga of USF Polytechnic’s financial decisions.
USF Polytechnic spent $10,000 on four life-size statues of the science-fiction staples, according to The Ledger.
A USF memo obtained by The Ledger states: “These items are necessary to encourage the creative culture for business development partnered successes.” The items were bought and meant for display in the business incubators, according to The Ledger.
For a $950 fee, the E.T. statue was appraised at $3,800, Captain Kirk at $2,200, Darth Vader at $7,200 and a “Star Wars” stormtrooper at $8,200.
The statues would provide “inspiration beyond conventional thought,” the memo said.
The new purchases arrive amidst much scrutiny of Polytechnic’s newest business plan. The Florida Board of Governors (BOG) is scheduled to vote on Polytechnic’s separation Wednesday.
However, USF’s chapter for the United Faculty of Florida (UFF) issued a resolution to BOG on Sunday to postpone for at least one year the vote that would possibly grant the Lakeland campus independence.
According to a press release, UFF wants the BOG to consider the recommendation so the “University System (can) conduct a thorough, objective, public, fact-based analysis of the issues and impacts to support a rational future decision that is best for both schools and all concerned parties.”
They stated the split was “politically driven and is not in the best interests of education for our country and region.”
The resolution follows a survey conducted by UFF, in which 214 Polk County citizens expressed support to delay the vote.
– Reporting by Diedra Rodriguez
More Stories
USF admin’s response to suicides unclear. What we know so far.
USF’s administration will not say who or how it will prevent future suicides on campus a month after a student leapt from an upper floor balcony of the Interdisciplinary Science Building – the third suicide since fall 2022. The Oracle has asked repeatedly about which USF administrators are overseeing suicide prevention initiatives and how the […]
USF SG leaders look back on campaign accomplishments while on non-speaking terms
Student body president Cesar Esmeraldi and vice president Elizabeth Volmy reached nearly every campaign goal during their term. The one thing that didn’t persevere was their unity. The pair ended their tenure reflecting on it from separate rooms. “We’ve had a great year,” Esmeraldi said. “I’m very happy with everything we’ve built. But because of […]
USF’s ‘Take Back the Night’ allows sexual survivors to share pain, resilience: ‘Recovery isn’t easy.’
A sexual assault survivor, who was the first speaker at Wednesday evening’s “Take Back the Night,” said the hardest day of their life was not when they were assaulted – it was the day after. “When I had to call my mom and tell her how her [child lost their] virginity and tell my therapist […]
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
McKinley Drive closed down for death investigation, Tampa police say
The intersection between Fowler Avenue and McKinley Drive was closed due to a death investigation late Wednesday afternoon, according to the Tampa Police Department (TPD). A man shot himself after making a bomb threat in the parking lot of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), located at 11201 McKinley Drive, according to TPD. Police said […]
USF 2024-25 A&S budget to increase student organization funding in Tampa and St. Pete
The Student Government (SG) Senate approved the 2024-25 Student Activities & Services (A&S) budget for all three campuses this Tuesday, seeing an overall increase in allocated money to student organizations. The vote was 26-0, approving the budget. Related: 2023-24 A&S budget down $5 million from last fiscal year Students pay fees in their tuition – […]