Proposal Would Transfer USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus to New College of Florida
A proposal advanced in the Florida Legislature could close the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus and transfer its facilities and funding to New College of Florida as early as July 1, 2026.
The plan, supported by Governor Ron DeSantis and approved by the Florida House of Representatives, would consolidate operations by turning over the Sarasota-Manatee campus property — including academic buildings, residence halls and surrounding land — to New College. The House version of the proposal also redirects state funding currently allocated to USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College.
USF Sarasota-Manatee serves approximately 2,000 students enrolled in about 40 accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. The campus offers upper-division coursework and graduate degrees in fields such as business, education, nursing, hospitality management, cybersecurity, and social sciences. Programs are designed in partnership with local employers and community organizations to support workforce needs in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Under the proposal, no new students would be admitted to USF Sarasota-Manatee after July 1, 2026. Current students would be required to complete their studies at other USF campuses, primarily in Tampa or St. Petersburg. The University of South Florida system consolidated accreditation in 2020, but the Sarasota-Manatee campus continues to operate as a distinct location serving the Suncoast region.
New College of Florida, the state’s designated public honors college, has undergone significant governance and leadership changes since 2023 and has reported efforts to expand enrollment and campus life. The transfer of the USF Sarasota-Manatee facilities would significantly increase New College’s physical footprint and residential capacity.
Supporters of USF Sarasota-Manatee argue that the campus plays a distinct role in providing accessible, workforce-focused higher education for place-bound students, including graduates of State College of Florida and local high schools. They note that New College and USF Sarasota-Manatee have historically served different missions — one as a small liberal arts honors institution and the other as a regional comprehensive campus within a large state university system.
In response to the proposal, many local residents, alumni, business leaders, and students have begun contacting state senators and members of Congress to urge them to oppose the closure. Community members have organized outreach campaigns encouraging written correspondence to the region’s legislative delegation, emphasizing concerns about student displacement, workforce development and long-term economic impact. The website https://www.saveusfsm.org was created to provide information to people seeking to contact state officials.
If enacted, the transition would mark a significant restructuring of public higher education in the Sarasota-Manatee region and would require coordination between state education officials, university leadership and accrediting bodies. The proposal remains subject to final legislative approval and gubernatorial action.
