College of Florida accused of Sunshine Regulation violations

The College of Florida is opening its board retreats to the general public after the Board of Trustees was accused of violating state legislation by primarily holding closed conferences, NPR affiliate WUFT reported.

Whereas board retreats are alleged to be public, in accordance with Florida’s Sunshine Regulation, the UF governing board has met in secret quarters since 2018. Although the board gave discover of the assembly dates as required by legislation, the college didn’t present the placement of the retreats, which critics argue quantity to conducting closed conferences. 

“The [Board of Trustees] is violating the Sunshine Regulation by not offering discover and permitting the general public to attend its retreats,” Barbara Petersen, who leads the nonpartisan Florida Heart for Authorities Accountability, which advocates for transparency, advised WUFT. “The Sunshine Regulation applies to all conferences of the BOT at which public enterprise is to be transacted or mentioned.”

David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Heart for the Development of the First Modification at UF, additionally advised the radio station that board actions have been “inconsistent” with Florida’s Sunshine Regulation.

As well as, UF has didn’t publish agendas or minutes from these conferences, WUFT reported.

Following crucial protection, UF spokesperson Steve Orlando advised the NPR affiliate that board retreats are public and that the board’s “intent has by no means been to shut them.” Going ahead, the college will publish the placement of such retreats forward of time, he mentioned.