The recent guest column sounding the alarm to save the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus ignored a simple truth:
The University of South Florida sees clear benefits in moving on from its smallest campus.
USF Sarasota-Manatee has many advocates, several of whom were signatories on that column.
They have been passionate supporters and leaders of USF Sarasota-Manatee, and that is commendable.
But this is not an issue that should be positioned as a battle between the University of South Florida and New College of Florida.
There are tangible reasons why both schools have worked toward consummating this transfer, even if they have rarely addressed the matter publicly.
For example, Atala Hall – which represents the most ambitious addition to the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus in years – has housed more New College students than USF residential students since it opened in August 2024.
New College now occupies nearly 75% of the beds in the residence hall.
That’s not a great indicator for USF Sarasota-Manatee’s future as anything other than a commuter school – not to mention one that serves less than 5% of the University of South Florida’s total student body.
It’s logical for the University of South Florida to view the opportunity to unload construction debt onto New College’s ledger as an enticing proposition.
It’s true that last year’s attempt to transfer the property was ill-conceived.
It was done in the shadows, and it denied the public the opportunity to understand why the University of South Florida no longer prioritizes having a Sarasota-Manatee campus.
USF officials have been involved in planning this move, even drafting language for the proper legislative steps.
And Gov. Ron DeSantis has helped to shed light on this process by placing these changes in his proposed 2026 budget for the upcoming legislative session.
Even if the University of South Florida does withdraw its physical presence from Sarasota, we should feel great pride that such a prestigious academic institution has been a part of our region.
The school has been enjoying a hot streak of eye-opening accomplishments, going back to its invitation to join the Association of American Universities in 2023.
The University of South Florida hit a home run by bringing Dr. Moez Limayem back to Tampa as the school’s president, and it did well in landing Rob Higgins as the CEO of its athletics department.
The school’s primary campus in Tampa is changing physically as well.
It is making progress toward building an on-campus football stadium, and it has an exciting public-private partnership to develop the nearby Fletcher District.
These are critical projects, so it’s good news that Will Weatherford, the University of South Florida’s visionary trustee chair, will remain on the board for another five years.
Most of all, New College would greatly benefit by adding the USF Sarasota-Manatee property.
It would not totally solve the housing issues that have plagued New College – there are only about 50 beds in Atala Hall that aren’t already occupied by New College students.
But it would make a positive impact: it would continue to reduce New College’s need to use hotel beds until it can build its own new housing.
Would the disappearance of USF Sarasota-Manatee alter the higher education landscape of Manatee and Sarasota counties?
Of course.
But both counties would undeniably benefit if New College is able to grow in a manageable fashion that meets its ambitious goals.
In addition, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota recently started work on its fourth campus.
That’s a clear sign that we will never lack for quality local options for higher education.
In the weeks to come, it’s possible that there will be a lack of legislative appetite to move this process forward.
But I encourage all interested parties to keep an open mind about this process, and to also understand what the primary stakeholders stand to gain.
Nate March is the former director of communications for New College of Florida.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota exit makes sense for University of South Florida | Opinion
Reporting by Nate March Guest columnist, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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