The Florida Senate approved a bill today that would allow the governor to appoint the student representative to the Board of Governors.
SJR1508 was approved with a 3-1 vote following the approval of a similar House bill on Tuesday.
Student Body President Anthony Reynolds and Florida State University Student Body President Avi Assidon support the bills.
All other student body presidents in the state university system are opposed, Florida Student Association chairman Mike Long said.
Thursday's meeting of the Senate higher education committee was "a bit of a fireworks show," Long said.
Representatives from the University of North Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida A&M University, New College of Florida and the University of South Florida spoke against giving the governor the power of appointment.
The committee discussed whether students would benefit more from their representative on the Board of Governors being elected or appointed.
After the committee meeting, Long said, supporting and opposing student representatives met to discuss their concerns about the bill.
"I think it was a good start, and I think there's room for collaboration," he said.
He said he expects the representatives to present an amendment to the bill next week.
