Student website voices concerns on possible Poly split

With Gov. Rick Scott due to make his decision on whether the Polytechnic campus will immediately separate from the USF System within the next week, USF students are expressing their concern.

After the bill that would create the independent Florida Polytechnic University passed through the Senate and House of Representatives, it landed on Scott’s desk April 6 — leaving him 15 days to sign or veto the bill before it immediately became law. On Friday, Scott met with the bill’s supporter Sen. JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, who crafted the bill along with Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach.

But Student Government (SG) wants to make sure that student voices are heard too.

On Sunday, SG posted a “Save Poly” Web page at sg.usf.edu/savepoly, where students are encouraged to send Scott an email requesting that he veto the immediate split.

SG Associate Director of Communications Vincent DeFrancesco said within the first day of the site’s launch, between 70 to 80 emails were sent.

“We wanted to make an effort to allow students to voice their opinion regarding USF Poly’s separation, so we made a website to facilitate that,” he said. “I think we’ve had a very good response.”

The website will remain up until the governor makes his decision.

— Staff Report