USF's Genshaft prepares for 'marathon' budget battle

University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft went to Tallahassee on Tuesday armed with charts, tables and data to show lawmakers how a Senate budget proposal unfairly targets her university.

"There was no formula that was used," Genshaft said at a news conference at Tampa International Airport after returning from her daylong trip. "It was all arbitrary, and it was political."

Last week, the Senate Budget Committee, which is headed by Sen. JD Alexander, released a proposal that would cut at least $79 million from USF. The university would also lose $49 million from the state if a new university were created to replace USF's Lakeland campus, USF Polytechnic.

Alexander, a Lake Wales Republican, has been a leader of the movement to make the Lakeland university autonomous.

Genshaft said the anticipated $128 million loss would devastate the university system, which now receives about $175 million from the state.

"To look at our university system being treated so differently than the rest of the universities was just clear to me that we …. had to speak out," she said.

Genshaft said she met with more than 20 members of the House, Senate and representatives of the governor's office. She didn't meet with Alexander or Gov. Rick Scott.

She expressed optimism but warned that USF is in for a long fight and needs support from the public.

"I am just hopeful that we will be able to make a difference for the University of South Florida system," Genshaft said. "This is a marathon, not a sprint. Everyone needs to continue to be very active until the end of the session."

In Tallahassee, Alexander told reporters Genshaft has tried to block an independent Lakeland public university.

"She's told numerous folks that she just plans to wait me out and not move forward with it," he said.

About 25 USF students will head to Tallahassee today to oppose the Senate budget plan. The budget committee meets today to talk about Polytechnic and university budgets. What the committee passes is expected to go to the Senate floor next week.

Matt Diaz, USF's student body president, said students are worried that such a huge budget cut could mean students might not be able to have access to the classes they need to graduate.

"I've never seen such awareness about an issue on campus in my four years," Diaz said. "They're not happy with this."

Local government and business organizations also have come forward to back USF.

"There is no rationale for why USF is being targeted to bear a greater burden than any other state university, but as a significant economic driver in our community we cannot afford to sit back idly and watch this economic train wreck take place," said Bob Rohrlack, president and chief operating officer of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.