Fernandina Observer: FSCJ Thanks Governor Scott for Veto

Link to article: http://fernandinaobserver.com/2017/06/19/fscj-thanks-governor-scott-for-veto/

Letter to Editor

Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) deeply appreciates and thanks Governor Rick Scott for his veto of Senate Bill 374, a bill that would have had severe and negative impacts to FSCJ and the Florida College System.

The local responsiveness to a skilled workforce for Duval and Nassau counties is our purpose. Additionally, the importance of providing students affordable, flexible access our College offers is at the heart of what is most critical to the economic growth of our community. Limiting our ability to provide baccalaureate degrees to people who need it most would have been devastating to them, our community and our employers.

By offering baccalaureate degrees aligned with the workforce needs in northeast Florida, our students are afforded with valuable opportunities to receive high paying jobs following the degree offerings at FSCJ.

While FSCJ will still absorb a $3.2 million budget cut, we are grateful to the Governor for his leadership and consider this veto a major win for FSCJ.

We will continue to work with our business and community partners to enhance the economic vitality of our region.

Sincerely,

Dr. Cynthia Bioteau, FSCJ President

FSCJ Board of Trustees: Randle DeFoor, chair
Jimmie Mayo, vice chair, Nassau County
Thomas McGehee Jr., vice chair, Duval County
Karen Bowling
D. Hunt Hawkins
Candace Holloway