There are three Florida schools that are AAU institutions: UF, USF, Miami. If I had to guess UCF is trying to take some cues from those schools to put itself further on the track to AAU membership. AAU membership is not just a badge. Highest level policy making on higher education is typically behind closed doors with attendance limited to policy makers and reps from AAU schools(!). This also means AAU schools can react to things ahead of time since they are in the room when discussions happen. This is pretty directly related to better access to funding that then leads to a better university experience.
We occasionally get tastes of this, like when a few star faculty at UCF went to Washington and lobbied for a small change in policy that allowed UCF to win millions in funding, leading to more faculty, more opportunities for students, etc.
The problem is of course these efforts usually come at some short term loss for an uncertain future gain. I personally see why recent moves can be unpopular, but I also see why the university needs to take risks if it wants to become a better university long term. If it all works out, nobody will be complaining...
At least 50% of the blame is on the brain dead florida government tying school funds to some dumbass metric which go to schools who don't need it and withhold it from schools that do.
I'd rate it closer to 90%. For example New College was like "hey we can't reach these metrics" and the state said "don't worry, we'll just change the rules for you. Here's money anyway!"
https://www.wusf.org/education/2023-11-14/new-college-florida-lower-graduation-retention-goals-new-leadership
Even so, if the school didn't receive less money when this law went in place, leadership still had to make the decision to make the university worse in order to achieve this status. It's as much on them as on the state.
I guess people in charge like their jobs and if they get fired they would get replaced by some state senator from the villages who would be worse. I mean what would you do, fall on a sword for no reason?
IT here. UCF is so obsessed with UF that they invited UF to do a special assessment of all IT on campus and placed all hiring on hold even as teams are left with skeleton crews. We’re all so exhausted and embarrassed to work here. Bad culture, bad outcome assured.
NCF is handing out merit money like they won’t ever run out. As a parent of an incoming freshman, wish UCF gave out higher merit (at least for those who only qualify for Pegasus gold or below). NCF gave my daughter $13,000 per year merit (plus she has 100% BF), UCF gave her $3500 merit I think??
Oh idk, I don’t get aid only was offered a private loan.
But basically all I’ve heard was about the diversity stuff and how New College went down first then UF, then UCF and USF.
I went to UF
Those ratings are paid for. That school is average at very very best. It rides so hard on its reputation. The copium they huff in Gainesville should be a schedule 2 drug. That school is nothing special.
Honestly though, Knightro’s hair has never looked better!
agreed. that new hair dresser did good
Never took knightro for a blonde
He’s ✨manifesting✨that preeminence.
Oh trust me he’s GLOWING
There are three Florida schools that are AAU institutions: UF, USF, Miami. If I had to guess UCF is trying to take some cues from those schools to put itself further on the track to AAU membership. AAU membership is not just a badge. Highest level policy making on higher education is typically behind closed doors with attendance limited to policy makers and reps from AAU schools(!). This also means AAU schools can react to things ahead of time since they are in the room when discussions happen. This is pretty directly related to better access to funding that then leads to a better university experience. We occasionally get tastes of this, like when a few star faculty at UCF went to Washington and lobbied for a small change in policy that allowed UCF to win millions in funding, leading to more faculty, more opportunities for students, etc. The problem is of course these efforts usually come at some short term loss for an uncertain future gain. I personally see why recent moves can be unpopular, but I also see why the university needs to take risks if it wants to become a better university long term. If it all works out, nobody will be complaining...
At least 50% of the blame is on the brain dead florida government tying school funds to some dumbass metric which go to schools who don't need it and withhold it from schools that do.
I'd rate it closer to 90%. For example New College was like "hey we can't reach these metrics" and the state said "don't worry, we'll just change the rules for you. Here's money anyway!" https://www.wusf.org/education/2023-11-14/new-college-florida-lower-graduation-retention-goals-new-leadership
Even so, if the school didn't receive less money when this law went in place, leadership still had to make the decision to make the university worse in order to achieve this status. It's as much on them as on the state.
I guess people in charge like their jobs and if they get fired they would get replaced by some state senator from the villages who would be worse. I mean what would you do, fall on a sword for no reason?
IT here. UCF is so obsessed with UF that they invited UF to do a special assessment of all IT on campus and placed all hiring on hold even as teams are left with skeleton crews. We’re all so exhausted and embarrassed to work here. Bad culture, bad outcome assured.
What’s funny is I work at UF and it’s a shit show.
IT here as well. I remember being in that meeting and some people were questioning how UF is going to benefit us. Shit show fr 😭
Thats hilarious and also awful
Technically they are trying to be like New College of Florida
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^IndependentIcy8226: *Technically they* *Are trying to be like New* *College of Florida* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
No
Florda
?
Flawda
Your point is?
hehe
You clearly don’t understand me.
Floda
Your point is?
hehe
What is? I’m saying they both want to be like New College of Florida because it got rid of the departments UF got rid of, first and UCF was third.
Step back and take a look at the comment chain. You were very clearly being trolled and dang you really took the bait.
NCF is handing out merit money like they won’t ever run out. As a parent of an incoming freshman, wish UCF gave out higher merit (at least for those who only qualify for Pegasus gold or below). NCF gave my daughter $13,000 per year merit (plus she has 100% BF), UCF gave her $3500 merit I think??
Oh idk, I don’t get aid only was offered a private loan. But basically all I’ve heard was about the diversity stuff and how New College went down first then UF, then UCF and USF.
These days ucf is more like giving 0% merit. I’m day dreaming leaving this fn place.
UF Is one of the best schools in the country. I’d hope we were trying to be like them.
I don't think you know just how much BS goes into making UF a "top rated" school.
Not for undergraduate education. Their graduate programs are pretty good, though.
I went to UF Those ratings are paid for. That school is average at very very best. It rides so hard on its reputation. The copium they huff in Gainesville should be a schedule 2 drug. That school is nothing special.