Citizens to Protect the Ringling

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who showed up, spoke out, made calls, wrote letters, and stood with this community during this fight when it would have been easier to look away. It mattered. It still matters.

The deal that closed last weekend is not the outcome we worked for. We know you feel the loss of USF Sarasota-Manatee as deeply as we do. What we can tell you is this: we were right, the facts were on our side, and our community now has a clearer-eyed view of what is happening in Tallahassee and locally because of the work we did together. None of that disappears with this vote.

Thank you for everything. More to come.

The deal — and it's a bad one for our region - is done: The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus will be transferred to New College of Florida.

The Sarasota-Manatee is losing more than buildings and lad — it’s losing access to a preeminent research university, workforce programs and opportunities for local students.

Politics won.

The region lost.

Read the latest from The Bradenton Journal's Marc Masferrer. Link in the comments.

05/20/2026

"Destroying USFSM is an unnecessary elimination of regional choice. What makes this worse is that no one has consulted the people most affected — local students, employers, and families. There have been no hearings before legislative Committees or higher education Boards." - Laurey Stryker in FloridaPolitics

Eliminating USFSM would erase opportunity, access and regional progress.

05/18/2026

When it comes to the value of higher education in a region where he has made millions, one of the region’s most politically influential developers knows a lot about real estate.

05/08/2026

⏰ TIME IS RUNNING OUT. This back door political deal will harm our community. YOUR voice is needed.

The Florida Legislature returns May 12th for a special session to finalize the state budget. What's at stake? The future of USF's Sarasota-Manatee campus. Our nursing, hospitality and veteran programs will disappear. Programs our community built and supported for 50 years.

Governor DeSantis wants to shut down USF Sarasota-Manatee and give the property to New College, the same institution that tried to take over The Ringling Museum last year. All to prop up a failing institution. USF spends ~$72,000 per degree. New College spends (drum roll please)... nearly $500,000! This is political overreach on the taxpayer's dime.

The good news? The Florida Senate's budget does NOT include this transfer. The House's does. The outcome will be decided in closed-door negotiations in a matter of DAYS.

Here's where our community stands:
✅ Nearly 40 community leaders signed an open letter urging lawmakers to reject this plan.
✅ The Manatee, Sarasota, and Venice chambers of commerce have all spoken out opposing the shutdown.
✅ Nearly 350 residents rallied in protest.

Now it's YOUR turn. Contact your state legislators today and tell them: protect USF Sarasota-Manatee.

👉 Read the full story: https://thebradentonjournal.substack.com/p/sacrificing-usf-sarasota-manatee

The Bradenton Journal
SAVE USF Sarasota Manatee

Community leaders make final arguments as Legislature prepares to decide on whether University of South Florida's local campus should be closed and transferred to New College of Florida.

05/08/2026

Supporters of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus are planning another rally as the fight over the campus’s future enters what could be its final stage in Tallahassee.

Students, alumni, faculty and community leaders are expected to gather Friday evening outside the campus entrance to oppose a proposal that would transfer the campus to New College of Florida.

Story link in the comments.

04/20/2026

Florida's own government efficiency report found it costs New College $495,000 to produce a single degree. USF? $72,000. Now Tallahassee wants to close USF Sarasota-Manatee and hand struggling New College its campus along with a $53 million debt New College has no way to pay. Its own credit rating can't support it and has no revenue to cover it.

A former New College insider & VP of Strategy, Nathan Allen, called it "lethal." When New College can't make payments, taxpayers will be left holding the bill. This isn't “a strategic alignment.” It's a shutdown - with a bill you will pay.

Call Senator Jim Boyd today. Tell him to stop this bad deal for Manatee County taxpayers.
Take action here:

Help preserve The Ringling Museum's vital 25-year partnership with FSU. This successful collaboration has protected the museum's collections, provided crucial emergency response, and maintained world-class facilities serving 400,000 annual visitors.