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. <\/p>\n
The victory tour came to an abrupt halt on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\"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.\" <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Instead, the governors told USF to come back Feb. 19 to give a more detailed presentation. <\/p>\n
USF could have made a presentation on Wednesday but officials were never told to do so. <\/p>\n
The committee chair, Fort Lauderdale businessman H. Wayne Huizenga Jr., took the blame for the confusion. <\/p>\n
\"I accept full responsibility for that,\" he said. <\/p>\n
USF president Judy Genshaft vowed to give the board whatever information it needs to secure funding for the medical campus. <\/p>\n
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Original post: <\/p>\n
USF medical school plans for downtown Tampa delayed<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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. Continue reading