Video & Transcript Research : 'student trustee'
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Ethics and Elections Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I SPENT TIME WITH STUDENTS AT UWF.
- WHETHER NEW YOUNG STUDENTS OR RETURNING STUDENTS TO PREPARE THEM TO COME OUT OF THE UNIVERSITY WITH
- DO YOU THINK THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PLAYS A ROLE IN POLICY CONCERNING DIVERSITY OF STUDENT POPULATION
- THIS SHOWS POSITIVE STUDENT GROWTH.
- >> THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE OF A TRUSTEE IS TO SERVE THE STUDENTS FIRST AND THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 12th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- He said he wants students to come to the university, have a great student experience, and get well-paying
- Universities serve students and families, and trustees like me who have children in the system can help
- I would have loved those for both of my students.
- I am currently a trustee. I've been on the of the rest of Florida. I am currently a trustee.
- We're very heavily focused on student success.
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education opened by noting it would not present its budget that day, explaining the budget rollout would be delayed until the following week to align with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a roll call confirmed a quorum, the chair explained that because of the large number of gubernatorial appointments, the committee would hear only a subset individually and consider reappointments in a block unless members requested otherwise.
The committee then heard testimony from appointees and reappointees to several university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to their alma mater, support for leadership, student success, entrepreneurship, scholarships, and maintaining FAMU’s status as a leading HBCU. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh highlighted FAU’s growth, R1 research designation, quantum computing, servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and expanded research opportunities. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins focused on UCF’s preeminence, workforce needs, nursing and engineering, and keeping graduates in Florida.
Florida Gulf Coast University nominees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointee Joseph Fogg discussed workforce development, affordability, student success, water and environmental programs, business and entrepreneurship, nursing outcomes, and FGCU’s regional role. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly cited USF’s AAU status, research growth, and focus on student success, health care, cybersecurity, and AI. Committee members generally praised each nominee’s background and the universities’ achievements. At the end of the hearing, the committee approved all nominees in a single block vote for confirmation and then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Ultimately, he wants students to come to the university, have a great student experience, and get well-paying
- Universities serve students and families, and trustees like me who have children in the system can help
- I would have loved those for both of my students.
- 17% of our students are first-generation themselves.
- We're very heavily focused on student success.
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it.
The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes.
The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications.
At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Apr 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The student are per student funding decline.
- Receive less than 4,000 in state funding peart per student per full-time student.
- Sorry. per student per full-time student. Sorry. And this is significant.
- We've gotten a lot of transfer students and that's giving us a lot of new students and started new masters
- In June of 2012, I was subsequently re-elected by the trustees as chair of the Board of Trustees in 2014
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We've seen our retention rates skyrocket with our students.
- We've seen our retention rates skyrocket with our students.
- I am honored to be nominated for the Board of Governors for Trustee at USF.
- trustees are in a position to be helpful there, and I plan on doing so.
- create a safe space for these students.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard two bills and then moved through a series of confirmations for university and college boards of trustees. Senate Bill 176, by Senator Polsky, would require public postsecondary institutions to have clear, publicly available safety policies and reporting procedures for threats to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. An amendment clarifying the bill’s scope was adopted without objection, there was no public testimony against it, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Members spoke in support, emphasizing campus safety and the need for clear reporting paths.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 116, by Senator Bradley, which would establish the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute to advance research, prevention, care, education, collaboration, and outreach on diabetes. Testimony included support from AARP and others, and members praised the institute’s research role and the growing public health importance of diabetes. The bill was reported favorably.
The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for trustees at FIU, UNF, UCF, USF, and Miami Dade College. Nominees and reappointees described their backgrounds and priorities, including student success, research growth, workforce development, engineering, health care, cybersecurity, and fiscal stewardship. Committee members asked several nominees about nursing NCLEX scores and university performance, and one public commenter raised concerns about campus climate and student safety. The committee then voted to report the confirmations favorably in a block and adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 4th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 1246 revises the definition of students. SB 1246 revises the definition of students.
- As a trustee, I want to lead.
- But since joining the trustee board, my mission has been very consistent: ensure that our students are
- with less than $1,000 in student loans, if any student loans at all.
- Working student.
Keywords:
tuition, resident status, incarceration, education, equal access, nursing shortage, health care, education funding, workforce development, LINE Fund, monetary contributions, nonmonetary contributions
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider one bill, a postponed bill, and a slate of trustee confirmations. The committee first took up CS/SB 1246, which expands the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) fund to support health science workforce shortages beyond nursing, including allied health programs. The bill also broadens eligible uses of funds, revises matching requirements and grant criteria, and updates reporting requirements. A strike-all amendment was adopted without objection, and the committee then reported the bill favorably after supportive testimony from Florida State College at Jacksonville, the Florida Hospital Association, the College of Central Florida, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Senator Davis also noted a favorable vote on the bill for the record.
The committee then temporarily postponed SB 720 at the sponsor’s request. Chair Harrell explained that the bill had been incorporated into a larger committee measure and would likely be heard later in another form. Public witnesses who had come to speak on the bill were not heard because of the postponement.
The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for trustees at several state colleges, including Chipola College, Tallahassee State College, Pensacola State College, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and St. Petersburg College. The appointees emphasized themes of affordability, workforce training, nursing and allied health success, dual enrollment, community partnerships, and local economic development. After hearing from the appointees, the committee approved a block motion to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 2 through 25. The meeting then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 18th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- But we also have a large number of students that are professional students that are focused on either
- because we do strive to offer every opportunity for our students, whether it's a student straight out
- Bring great things for the students of Broward College, because without the students, we wouldn't have
- As my fellow trustee, Mr.
- If given an opportunity as a trustee, I'll be dedicated to fostering initiatives that enhance student
Summary:
The committee first heard CS/SB 270, which would extend Bright Futures eligibility by 12 months for certain students whose parent was serving overseas in public service and then retired, giving military and diplomatic families more time to return to Florida without losing scholarship eligibility. Senator Burgess also explained a late-filed amendment to set the bill’s effective implementation for the 2025-26 school year, and the committee adopted the amendment without objection. The bill received supportive testimony, including from Senator Smith, and was reported favorably by a roll call vote.
The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmation hearings for appointees to state college boards of trustees, with the chair emphasizing a new process of hearing from each nominee individually rather than taking a blanket vote. Nominees from Tallahassee State College, St. Johns River State College, South Florida State College, Broward College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and Valencia College described their backgrounds and priorities, which largely centered on workforce development, nursing and health sciences, dual enrollment, fiscal responsibility, student retention, and partnerships with local employers and communities. Several nominees highlighted their own educational or professional ties to the colleges, and some noted the importance of serving rural or military-connected communities.
One nominee, John Aloko for Pasco-Hernando State College, was not present because he was attending a conference in Hawaii and was deferred to a later hearing. After hearing all other nominees, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of the remaining appointees in a block vote, covering Tabs 2 through 22 except Tab 8, and the motion passed. Two members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on earlier items.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- We currently have 21,000 students, of which roughly 5% are dual enrollment students because it supplements
- I'm the liaison between the trustees.
- Trustee Goodson and Trustee Collins kind of took a lot of my thunder since they went ahead of me.
- any student.
- As Trustee Fosick mentioned, by being physically responsible, I want to make sure our student success
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office and the Commissioner of Education on the proposed higher education budget. The presentation highlighted a $117.4 billion overall state budget, with education at $32.5 billion and higher education receiving a modest overall increase. Key items included no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents, major financial aid funding such as Bright Futures, Benacquisto, EASE, Open Door, and first responder scholarships, as well as workforce investments including apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, nursing pipeline funding, and performance-based funding for colleges and universities.
Committee members asked questions about the proposed expansion of the Guardian program at state colleges and the $100 million university recruitment and retention fund. Officials said the Guardian funding would give colleges flexibility to use trained personnel for campus safety, sometimes alongside or in place of campus police or private security. The Chancellor explained that the recruitment and retention money would be distributed to universities with no specific directives beyond using it for faculty recruitment and retention, emphasizing Florida’s favorable demographics and the opportunity to attract faculty from states facing enrollment declines.
The committee then heard testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees at state colleges and universities, including Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, and St. Johns River State College. Each described their backgrounds and stressed themes of affordability, workforce alignment, nursing and technical programs, dual enrollment, and local community needs. Several cited strong nursing licensure pass rates and college outcomes. After hearing all appointees, the committee voted unanimously to confirm the full block of nominees, and the confirmations were reported favorably before the meeting adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We currently have 21,000 students, of which roughly 5% are dual enrollment students because it supplements
- I'm the liaison between the trustees.
- Trustee Goodson and Trustee Collins kind of took a lot of my thunder since they went ahead of me.
- any student.
- As Trustee Fosick mentioned, by being physically responsible, I want to make sure our student success
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard a presentation from the Governor’s Office on the proposed education budget, which totals $32.5 billion overall and includes no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents. Officials highlighted major funding for financial aid and scholarships, including Bright Futures, Benacquisto, veteran-related scholarships, EASE, Open Door, law enforcement/first responder programs, and workforce initiatives. They also emphasized increases for workforce education, Florida College System operations, nursing pipeline and line funds, and university operations, performance funding, and faculty recruitment and retention. Committee members asked questions about the Ocoee Scholarship, the proposed post-secondary Guardian program, and how university recruitment and retention funds would be used; officials said the Ocoee Scholarship remains funded at current levels, the Guardian program would offer flexible campus safety options, and the university funds would be distributed to institutions for faculty recruitment and retention without additional directives.
The committee then heard from a series of appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities, who described their backgrounds and priorities. Testimony consistently focused on affordability, workforce alignment, nursing and allied health programs, dual enrollment, adult learners, and local economic needs. Several trustees highlighted strong nursing NCLEX pass rates, expansion of campuses or programs, and efforts to tailor education to regional workforce demands such as health care, construction, law enforcement, aviation, and hospitality. One appointee from Miami-Dade College emphasized helping adult students return and complete degrees by easing credit transfer and admissions barriers.
After hearing from the appointees, the committee took up the full slate of confirmations as a block. A motion was made and the roll was called; the confirmations were approved favorably, with members voting yes and no opposition recorded. The committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- By expend extending the period of qualification for student certain students if they're overseas because
- But we also have a large number of students that are professional students that are focused on either
- board of Trustees.
- And that's because we do strive to offer every opportunity for students, whether it's a student straight
- If given an opportunity as a trustee, I'll be dedicated to fostering initiatives that enhance student
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Nov 5th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- representative to the Board of Trustees.
- Since then, I have been voted upon by my fellow trustees as the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.
- Since then, I have been voted upon by my fellow trustees as the vice chair of the Board of Trustees.
- Candidates and students wherever they are in life.
- Grow dual enrollment, how we can increase the access for high school students and for students recently
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider a slate of trustee confirmations for several Florida state colleges and universities. Chair Harrell outlined the process, including swearing in nominees, allowing brief presentations and questions, taking public comment after each nominee, and voting on the full slate at the end unless a member was pulled for separate consideration. One nominee, Edward Fleming, was not heard and was deferred to a future meeting. The committee also dealt with several technical issues for remote participants before proceeding through the agenda.
Nominees and reappointees emphasized their personal ties to their institutions and focused their remarks on workforce development, affordability, and partnerships with local employers. Several highlighted nursing and allied health programs, with committee members repeatedly asking about NCLEX pass rates; reported figures included Polk State at 100%, Lake-Sumter at 97.5%, Northwest Florida State at 100%, Daytona State at 95%, Pasco-Hernando at 97% for associate degree and 100% for practical nursing, Pensacola State at 90% practical nursing and 85% RN, and Hillsborough College at 87.5%. Other priorities mentioned included construction technology, agriculture and ag technology, surveying/geodetic programs, maritime and diesel mechanics, aircraft maintenance, dual enrollment, AI, cybersecurity, and support for military and veteran transitions.
After hearing from all nominees, the committee asked whether any names should be voted on separately; none were requested. Senator Bradley moved a block vote to recommend confirmation, the motion was approved by roll call, and all nominees heard that day were recommended for confirmation except Tab 10, Edward Fleming, who was postponed to a later meeting. The committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 24th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- To the Board of Trustees for...
- Forty percent of the students.
- For non-resident online students, ensuring Florida’s taxpayers are not subsidizing out-of-state students
- “Our Black students make up 83% of that population, that student body over there, where our White students
- students make up 4%.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education first took up a block of confirmation hearings for trustees and board members at several public universities and state colleges. Appointees from Florida A&M University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, South Florida State College, Valencia College, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Florida described their backgrounds and emphasized themes such as governance, student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, research growth, and institutional reputation. Members asked a few questions, but most nominees received no substantive opposition. The committee then voted unanimously to recommend confirmation of the group of appointees on tabs 3 through 18 and forwarded them to Ethics and Elections.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 114 by Senator Trumbull, which would create the Florida Center of Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at Florida State University, move the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide funding for the effort. Trumbull said the bill is intended to strengthen the state’s insurance research capacity and broaden study of insurance lines beyond wind risk. Senators asked about the impact on FIU and the distinction between the new center and existing FIU work; Trumbull said FIU’s Wall of Wind would remain and that the state-owned model would simply be contracted to FSU instead of FIU. The committee reported the bill favorably.
The committee then considered Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1624 by Senator Calatayud, a wide-ranging higher education bill addressing tuition, workforce programs, institutional operations, and naming changes. Amendments were adopted to create state college regional consortium service organizations for rural colleges, remove a proposed out-of-state fee change for nonresident online students, extend university master plan update cycles from five to 10 years, and rename Hillsborough Community College as Hillsborough College. The bill also changed several references from specific minority categories to “underrepresented,” revised aid and waiver provisions, adjusted adult education and career program rules, and made other technical changes. Senators Smith and Davis questioned the shift away from enumerated categories, arguing it could obscure disparities affecting groups such as Black students, women in STEM, and students with disabilities; Calatayud said the intent was to focus on socioeconomic access and flexibility for institutions. After debate, the committee voted 6-2 to report the bill favorably, with Senators Davis and Smith voting no, and then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- EACH TRUSTEE BEFORE THEY SPEAK.
- A&M UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
- INVOLVEMENT, BUILD OUR STUDENT BASE.
- OUR BLACK STUDENTS MAKE UP 83% OF THAT POPULATION OF STUDENT BODY OVER THERE.
- WHERE ARE WHITE STUDENTS MAKE UP 8%, OUR HISPANIC OR LATINO STUDENTS THEY GOT 6% AND MULTI RACIAL ASIAN
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Students, students, students, uh, approximately. 34,000 and change, maybe a little less, maybe a little
- So the detriment to the, it was always student forward.
- There would not be a detriment to the students.
- by the trustees from the Keller side for a divorce.
- School districts don't belong to the 7 trustees.
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- To alleviate the financial burden on students, the bill also mandates that students be provided with
- And I will say students have a lot to say about it.
- And I will say students have a lot to say about it.
- Students want to be involved in who runs our schools.
- So I think expanding this and giving students a say was an amazing part that a lot of students at our
Summary:
The Committee on Education Postsecondary held confirmation hearings for two State University System Board of Governors appointees, M. Carson Good and Speaker Paul Renner. Good described his background in Florida real estate, airport governance, and fundraising, and said he would focus on improving university performance, collaboration among institutions, and growing endowments while keeping in-state tuition stable. Renner emphasized his legislative experience with higher education, and said his priorities on the Board would be transparency, compliance with legislative direction, and reducing administrative bloat. Both nominees were recommended for confirmation on a single vote, with Senator Berman noting concern about the low number of women on the board.
The committee then heard and passed SB 1726, a higher education transparency bill by Senator Calatayud. The bill would require Board of Governors members to comply with constitutional financial disclosure requirements, set term limits for State Board of Education and university board members, change rules for presidential searches and public records, and require more detailed textbook and syllabus information for students. A student advocate from Florida Student Power Network supported the bill as increasing student involvement and democratic accountability in higher education. Senator Harrell raised a concern about residency requirements for Board of Governors members, and the sponsor said that issue could be revisited later. The bill was reported favorably.
Next, the committee considered SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship funding. A delete-all amendment was adopted that required clearer funding splits between local education agencies and program providers, annual reporting, a standard DOE contract template, and a cap on administrative fees in certain cases. Supporters from industry groups said the changes would improve transparency and accountability without requesting additional funding. The committee then reported the bill favorably.
Finally, the committee heard SB 584 on young adult housing support. An amendment removed a requirement that state agencies act as co-signers or guarantors on leases while preserving coordination for the federal Foster Youth to Independence program. Several former foster youth and advocates testified in support, describing housing instability and its impact on education, and urging broader access to campus housing and vouchers. The sponsor said the bill prioritizes housing and work-study for homeless and former foster youth, supports the FYI program, and directs a statewide study of housing barriers. The committee reported the bill favorably and then adjourned.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Assembly - VSC Trustees and Adjutant General - 2026-02-19 - 10:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- inspector general and trustees.
- University trustee. University trustee.
- trustees than Janet Brown. Thank you. trustees than Janet Brown. Thank you.
- of the board of trustees. of the board of trustees.
- our Vermont state trustees. Thank you. our Vermont state trustees. Thank you.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- parents or guardians of students.
- AB 1831 is a necessary nudge to the CSU Board of Trustees to refocus its efforts and prioritize student
- I didn't take on student loans because my mom still has student loans.
- , and we serve all students.
- Local trustees are expected to connect every dollar, program, and LCAP goal to student outcomes.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Is this something that you dealt with as a trustee? Not directly.
- It was not brought to a trustee meeting, but I was aware of the situation.
- What about with the students, your interactions with the students at FAU?
- I've had limited interactions with the students outside of our fellow trustee or students that have made
- Did you ever learn of the diversity of the student body in terms of gender, race?
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several gubernatorial appointees, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his law enforcement background, social work training, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, seeking statutory recognition and training standards for juvenile detention and probation officers, and increasing bed capacity so adjudicated youth can move from detention into residential programming sooner. Members asked about the impact of detention “dead time” and the need for more beds; Walsh said DJJ is evaluating ways to let youth begin programming earlier while in detention. Public support was noted, and the committee voted unanimously to confirm Walsh and forward his nomination to the full Senate.
The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background, service on multiple boards, and prior service on FAU’s board pending confirmation, emphasizing governance, accountability, and strategic planning. Senators questioned her about FAU’s handling of faculty social media controversies, the university’s relationship with its new president, student and faculty engagement, AI planning, diversity, and her role on the Hope Florida board and with CDR Health’s state contracts, including work related to the Everglades detention center. Public testimony included strong opposition from one speaker who criticized her ties to state contracts and Hope Florida, while another senator spoke in support, citing her community service and business experience. The committee voted 5-2 to confirm her, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no.
Afterward, the committee considered the remaining nominees in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, en bloc. No separate votes were requested, and the committee approved the group of nominees by voice roll call to be forwarded to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Ethics and Elections Dec 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Is this something that you dealt with as a trustee? Not directly.
- It was not brought to a trustee meeting, but I was aware of the situation.
- What about with the students, your interactions with the students at FAU?
- I've had limited interactions with the students outside of our fellow trustee or students that have made
- Did you ever learn of the diversity of the student body in terms of gender, race?
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several executive appointments, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his long law-enforcement career, social work background, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, reclassifying juvenile detention and probation officers as officers under statute, adding beds to move youth from detention into residential programs, and increasing per diem funding. Members asked about detention “dead time” and the need to get adjudicated youth into programming sooner. Public testimony included support from Barney Bishop and Christian Minor, and the committee voted unanimously to approve Walsh’s nomination and forward it to the full Senate.
The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee for the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background as CEO of CDR Health, her education, and extensive nonprofit and board service, including leadership roles with the Florida Grand Opera, the Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County, FAU, and the Hope Florida Foundation. Senators questioned her about free speech issues involving FAU faculty, her relationship with the new FAU president, student diversity, AI and workforce planning, and her prior role on Hope Florida. She also answered questions about her company’s work at the Everglades detention center and the bidding process for state contracts. Public testimony opposed her nomination, citing concerns about her business ties, Hope Florida, and detention-center contracts. Debate split largely along partisan lines, and the committee approved her nomination on a recorded vote.
Afterward, the committee took up the remaining nominations in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, and approved them as a group by voice/recorded vote for forwarding to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Postsecondary Mar 31st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- NUMEROUS MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THAT TIME WITH UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS, TRUSTEES, FACULTY ETC.
- THIS BILL EMPOWERS STUDENTS THROUGH INFORMED CHOICES BY REQUIRING THE UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONS TO POST
- TO ALLEVIATE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON STUDENTS THE BILL MANDATES STUDENTS BE PROVIDED A DETAILED ITEMIZATION
- I WILL SAY STUDENTS HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT IT.
- SINCE WE OFTEN DON'T HAVE THAT ADULT SUPPORT OTHER STUDENTS DO.