Florida university leaders want to protect general education

By The Associated Press
Published: January 18, 2012
Updated: January 18, 2012 - 2:58 PM

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TALLAHASSEE --

Florida university presidents are urging lawmakers not to forget general education in the push to expand science, technology, engineering and math studies.

Those so-called STEM subjects remained a focus as the House Education Committee on Wednesday continued talks with presidents of the 11 public universities.

University of Central Florida President John Hitt said his school traditionally has focused on STEM subjects and has one of the nation's largest engineering schools.

But he noted employers say many of those graduates lack writing, problem solving and critical thinking skills they could get through liberal arts and general studies.

Gov. Rick Scott has been pushing for the universities to increase the output of STEM graduates because they have better job prospects.