BOG starts 2012-13 budget process

Among the four USF campuses, USF Polytechnic was the only location that was not appropriated infrastructure funds, Walsh said.

"We have infrastructure requests on the Tampa campus, the St. Pete campus and the Sarasota campus," he said. "We don't have one for the USF Polytechnic at this point and time because their infrastructure needs are paid with Polk State College because that's who they share the campus with."

BOG chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee Tico Perez said during the meeting that the legislature requested state agencies prepare a 10 percent budget reduction plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

"I know that is not good news for anyone, but these are also just plans at this time and it's (not) prudent to anticipate what could happen," he said. "It's clearly an advocacy budget … and it includes in that budget a cornerstone — the New Florida Initiative, which focuses on STEM research and … improving graduation rates."

BOG Chief Financial Officer Tim Jones said during the meeting that tuition increases have helped offset the budget reductions in the past four years.

"In 2007-08 we were at $963 million (in tuition) and we are currently at $1.5 billion," he said.

According to his presentation, there has been about a $569 million reduction in state funds appropriations since then.

The BOG meetings will continue today. One item on the agenda is to discuss the future of the Polytechnic campus, which may split from the USF System and whose Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation is currently suspended until a decision is reached.

USF President Judy Genshaft and Regional Chancellor Marshall Goodman will discuss the initiative today.