JACKSONVILLE It has been a smooth ride for the University of South Florida's proposed downtown Tampa medical school. In the past four months the project has won nothing but accolades and approving votes.

The victory tour came to an abrupt halt on Wednesday.

The medical school faced a crucial vote for state funding from the Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System. But the meeting quickly unraveled when a handful of governors complained they didn't know enough to start spending tens of millions.

"I don't understand why we don't have a presentation on this so we can be prepared," said board member Dean Colson. "I shouldn't have to fly to Tampa to get the details."

The BOG's facilities committee authorized USF to spend just a fraction of the money $5 million but delayed approving the rest of the $57 million it is seeking until they get more answers.

Instead, the governors told USF to come back Feb. 19 to give a more detailed presentation.

USF could have made a presentation on Wednesday but officials were never told to do so.

The committee chair, Fort Lauderdale businessman H. Wayne Huizenga Jr., took the blame for the confusion.

"I accept full responsibility for that," he said.

USF president Judy Genshaft vowed to give the board whatever information it needs to secure funding for the medical campus.

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USF medical school plans for downtown Tampa delayed