Dear USF community,鈥€�
The 羞羞视频 Legislature has completed its work on the state budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, and I am pleased to share it includes important support for the University of South 羞羞视频.鈥疶he Legislature is expected to vote to approve the budget tonight and then send it to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his review, approval and line-item veto consideration before the end of current fiscal year on June 30.鈥€�
USF has been fortunate to receive record levels of state funding in recent years, including significant increases to the recurring dollars in our operating budget. This year, legislators have prioritized reducing the state鈥檚 total budget while stressing the need for universities to operate in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner.鈥€€�
With these conditions in mind, we have spent significant time in Tallahassee to advocate for funding that aligns with our institutional priorities and to make our case for how USF provides a positive return on investment.
The result is a budget that allows us to continue to advance our strategic vision, build on our areas of strength and make an even greater impact for the Tampa Bay region, the state and our nation.鈥�
Below is a summary of the newly proposed investments in USF, agreed upon by the Legislature in its budget negotiations over the past two weeks:鈥€�
USF Operating Budget
- A $12.5 million nonrecurring and $2.5 million recurring increase to USF鈥檚 operational budget to support work on each of our campuses.
- An $8 million nonrecurring operational support increase to fund strategic projects at USF Health, including Parkinson鈥檚 and neurological research.
USF Facilities
- $10 million to begin construction on the facility that will house the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. This facility will help position the Tampa Bay region as a global leader in these fields and the state funds will supplement the record-setting $40 million private gift from Arnie and Lauren Bellini to establish the new college.
- $10 million to complete the state鈥檚 share of the Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences Research and Teaching facility at the USF St. Petersburg campus. This investment will further position St. Petersburg as a world-class center of marine and environmental science, education and community engagement.
- $8.5 million to upgrade our facilities and services offered to student-veterans, military families and first responders on the Tampa campus.
- $8 million to plan for construction of the new USF Health Translational Research Institute facility, which is expected to be the largest standalone facility dedicated to research in our institution鈥檚 history.
- $7.3 million to invest in campus life facility projects across all campuses and USF Health, funded by the Capital Improvement Trust Fund.
In addition, the following special initiatives for USF were also funded:鈥�
- $2.5 million to acquire and install cutting-edge classified research equipment at the Institute of Applied Engineering.
- $1 million for the Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter Program at USF St. Petersburg, which provides students with unique abilities an accessible university experience in a postsecondary setting. The funding will allow the program to expand enrollment and upgrade facilities.
- A $500,000 nonrecurring increase for USF鈥檚 Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Research at USF Health.
Additionally, the Legislature appropriated new funding to enhance security and cultural protections for Jewish students throughout the state, including $325,000 at USF.
I extend my sincere thanks to members of the Legislature, including Senate President Ben Albritton, House Speaker Daniel Perez and our entire Tampa Bay Area Legislative Delegation for recognizing USF鈥檚 impact. Additionally, we appreciate the leadership of the Board of Governors, including Chair Brian Lamb and Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, for their support of the State University System during this year鈥檚 legislative session. And of course, thank you to our Board of Trustees, including Chair Will Weatherford and Vice Chair Mike Griffin, for their guidance and tireless work on behalf of USF.鈥�
I deeply appreciate our students, faculty, staff, alumni and many other friends of USF for everything you do to make this a great university.鈥疧ur success and achievements could not be earned without you, the dedicated members of our USF community.鈥疧ur best days are still ahead of us, and the funding in this year's budget will help us get there even faster.鈥€€� 鈥�
Go Bulls!鈥�
厂颈苍肠别谤别濒测,鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Rhea F. Law鈥€�
笔谤别蝉颈诲别苍迟鈥�&苍产蝉辫;