The document announces the formation of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform in Florida. It introduces Representative Marlene O'Toole as a member of the task force and outlines its six areas of focus, which include assessing strengths and weaknesses of the university system governance model. The letter writer calls an organizational teleconference for May 30th to establish a timeline and draft agenda. Face-to-face meetings will be held in June, July, September and October in Tallahassee and elsewhere. The task force will operate under Florida's open meetings law.

1. May 16, 2012
Representative Marlene O’Toole
916 Avenida Central
Lady Lake, FL 32159
RE: INITIATING THE BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE ON STATE HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM
Dear Representative O’Toole:
Thank you for agreeing to serve on the Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform.
As the Executive Order outlines, there are six areas of focus for our efforts, each representing
significant opportunities to strengthen the state’s higher educational system:
1. Catalog and consolidate the recommendations of the various efforts addressing Florida’s
higher education system with respect to the State University System;
2. Assess strengths and weaknesses of the State University System’s governance model
related to its Constitutional charge;
3. Analyze the ability of state universities to contribute to the State University System's 2012-
2025 strategic plan;
4. Recommend strategies, such as incentive systems and governance improvements, to
encourage cooperation between institutions leading to reduced duplication and improved
efficiencies;
5. Recommend amendments to statutes and Board of Governors regulations necessary to
improve accountability and transparency on the part of state universities to the Board of
Governors and the Board of Governors to the Legislature and Governor; and
6. Conduct a review and analysis of efforts to achieve national preeminence and academic
and research excellence by Florida universities, including elements that may be considered
for future legislation to advance higher education.
I call your attention to the first enumerated charge from the Executive Order excerpted above,
which underscores the importance of incorporating previous efforts as a starting point. Indeed, we
need not duplicate the exceptional work produced during the past ten years. Our initial meetings
therefore should seek to engage the many partners whose perspective will prove invaluable. We
are, however, more than just historical analysts. Our work will require courageous pursuit of
innovation with a long-term focus and a demonstration of return on investment.
Please be aware that a digital communication platform has been established to facilitate
transparency and provide easy access to information pertinent to our activities. Content ranges
from the Executive Order to the respective documents or presentations submitted to the Blue
Ribbon Task Force for review during the next several months. For now, I maintain access to several
communication vehicles listed on the next page.

2. Page 2 of 2: INITIATING THE BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE ON STATE HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM
Web site: www.FLHigherEd.org
Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/FLHigherEd
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/FLHigherEd (and @FLHigherEd)
Slideshare (for hosting and sharing documents): www.SlideShare.net/FLHigherEd
With the full task force now appointed, we can begin making progress by establishing a timeline
for our work together. It is my hope to hold an organizational meeting via teleconference from 2
p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30. A draft agenda is attached to this communication as a
starting point for organizing this first meeting. If you have suggestions for expanding or refining the
agenda, please feel free to share your thoughts via e-mail at brill.dale@gmail.com.
Please consult your calendars to determine your availability for in-person meetings on the dates
below with Tallahassee the most frequent, but not exclusive, location for these meetings. We will
determine the final date selections for these meetings during our organizational phone call on May
30.
June 12 and 13 June 27 July 26
September 21 October 12
In addition to face-to-face meetings, the work of the Task Force will be conducted via the web, e-
mail and telephony. Please be reminded that we operate under Florida Sunshine Law, Chapter 119,
Florida Statutes. Among its elements, “Sunshine” prohibits the communication among Task Force
members outside of the public view. All meetings will be noticed and the public’s oversight
welcomed.
Finally, let me share that I am humbled by the call to service with you in this important endeavor.
It can only be an obvious conclusion that we are attempting to address issues facing Florida with
no easy solutions. I join you with the determination to exceed the expectations of those who
appointed us, as well as making the most of this significant opportunity to contribute to the
success of Florida’s state higher education system.
Yours for the future of Florida,
Dale A. Brill, Ph.D.
c/o Florida Chamber Foundation
136 S. Bronough St.
Tallahassee, FL 32301

3. TENTATIVE AGENDA
Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform
2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2012
I. Welcome and Introductions
II. Review of Executive Order (Scope of Task Force)
III. Report Development Process Discussion
A. Defining Consensus Threshold for Forwarding Recommendations
B. Milestones, Meeting Dates and Future Meeting Workplans
C. Desired Presentations or Data Requests from Stakeholder Groups
IV. Adjournment