#UFRising is a go.
On Thursday, the Florida Board of Governors greenlit UF’s Path to Preeminence: a five-year plan to become a top-10 public research university.
The board approved the preeminent research benchmark plans for UF and Florida State University, the only state universities that qualified for the designation of preeminent state research university. UF met all 12 standards specified in the legislation, and Florida State University met 11.
Upon meeting these benchmark plan goals annually, the board will award UF $15 million each year through funds provided by the General Appropriations Act.
UF plans to hire as many as 100 new distinguished professors who will attract talented graduate assistants and create groundbreaking labs.
The initiative has been brewing on the board’s agenda since Gov. Rick Scott approved the bill in April.
Board member Patricia Frost’s motion to approve the benchmark plans was met by unanimous approval from the board.
After the approval, an email sent by UF President Bernie Machen was circulated to students’ emails.
Machen heralded the plan and encouraged students, faculty and staff to learn more about UF Rising.
“The facility upgrades will improve the UF experience for everyone who socializes at the Reitz Union, visits St. Augustine for the weekend or attends a basketball game or swim meet in the O’Connell Center,” he said.
A version of this story ran on page 1 on 11/22/2013 under the headline "UF ready to rise through the ranks"
