Scott Perry said USF faculty was told over “several months” that merger plans with USF Sarasota-Manatee originated from New College of Florida.

However, Perry said USF will have to repair its relationship with the community now that “internal documents” revealed university administrators “discussed” the proposal.

“A great deal of trust must be earned back before we can have confidence in USF’s plans for our future,” said Perry, the vice president of the USF Faculty Senate.

Although the proposed merger between USF Sarasota-Manatee and New College won’t be discussed this year, documents showed USF had already drafted messages to the community in case the plan moved forward. 

Related: USF students, faculty want clarity on potential New College merger

New College President Richard Corcoran had been trying to acquire more land for the school by getting the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art areas — but had not been successful.

When rumours of a potential merger arose in mid-March, WUSF obtained records that showed New College was indeed looking to acquire the USF Sarasota-Manatee area.

However, Florida Politics reported on May 2 that an anonymous source said the merger would no longer proceed. No statute change was filed before the close of this year’s legislative session — a requirement for the proposal to move forward.

If a bill had passed, it would have required both institutions’ Boards of Trustees to sign formal transfer and agreements, with oversight from the Florida Board of Governors.

While no such bill ultimately advanced, internal documents showed preparations were underway.

WUSF reported on May 23 that USF leadership had drafted legislative language outlining a plan to transfer the Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College. 

The documents obtained by WUSF showed USF officials were involved in preparing messaging materials related to the proposed merger. 

USF spokesperson Althea Johnson told WUSF the drafts had been prepared in case “state leaders” agreed on the transfer.

“In that scenario, the top priority for USF would be our people and ensuring that all our students and employees are retained,” Johnson told WUSF.

The draft stated that currently enrolled USF Sarasota-Manatee students would be able to complete their degrees locally. It also stated that newly admitted USF students would no longer be allowed to designate Sarasota-Manatee as their home campus. 

USF spokesperson Ryan Hughes told The Oracle that the university will maintain its focus on administering the Sarasota-Manatee campus.

“USF looks forward to continuing to serve the Sarasota-Manatee area as the only preeminent state university and Association of American Universities member located in the region,” Hughes said. 

Related: Former USF Sarasota-Manatee regional chancellor opposes New College takeover

Brian Turnbull said he was “relieved” when he heard the bill wasn’t proposed this year. He said it would have “torn apart” the USF community.

But Turnbull still has questions about whether the proposal could return in the future.

“As New College is supported by the Governor, I believe that it is very possible the merger will be proposed again next legislative session,” said Turnbull, a faculty member in the department of sociology and interdisciplinary social sciences at USF Sarasota-Manatee. 

Turnbull said the USF Sarasota-Manatee community has not brushed aside the proposal’s fallout.

“Both faculty and students were extremely stressed by the lack of information and communication,” Turnbull said. “For those who have invested a lot of time and effort into helping this campus succeed, it was a real let down.”

For Turnbull, ensuring clarity for the community must be a priority in “any” future decisions USF makes. 

“The lack of transparency really left our students high and dry,” Turnbull said. “Transparency and the success of our students must take precedence over individual priorities.”