If you want to spur downtown development and activity, nothing better than upgrading your higher education right in the middle of downtown. Ensures a constant influx of young adults. BU in Boston, NYU in New York, etc, etc.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072408/met_308718930.shtml
Jax State College?
Jax College (kinda like that one)
Jax College International (heh heh)
Sounds like a great opportunity.
That's great news.
I wonder if all FCCJ locations will be partly 2-year, partly 4-year classes - or if one location will become the 4-year college?
Hopefully this will lead to on-campus housing at the downtown location.
I really like the idea of FCCJ moving up the ranks, especially with how over crowded our current Universities are. I would also love to see a University downtown!
BUT....
A few of my Professors at FCCJ do not like the idea of it becoming a state school. The main issue being affordability for lower income students in the area. A lot of people who wouldn't be able to go to school depend on FCCJ's low cost for higher education. If FCCJ were to become a state school, it would drive up the prices making it harder for people to attend.
This isn't my opinion, I actually love the idea. I just wanted to let you guys know what some of the FCCJ peeps are saying about it.
QuoteUnder the new system, state colleges will be able to offer approved bachelor's degrees but still must retain many of the characteristics of community colleges, including affordable costs, a variety of associate's degrees and adult education.
There is already a Jacksonville College in Texas. I don't know if that matters or not.
this sounds like a great thing to me! Jacksonville College would be great. If they included downtown dorms, it would be a huge step in the right direction.
To play the "if I were Mayor bit" here, I would be in favor of increased funding to this development, and encourage a new direction along the lines of "Innovation State College".
While still offering easier access Associates, the other major part of it would be a jewel for creative young engineers, planners, artists, architects, etc.
Quote from: thelakelander on July 24, 2008, 01:49:10 PM
Hopefully this will lead to on-campus housing at the downtown location.
I hope you're right, of course. However, the way things tend to go in Jacksonville, I would bet that they'd turn the Beach Boulevard Campus into the residential 4 year college.
New student housing, done properly, would be a great addition to downtown! It would be great to see young people walking and riding their bikes to class and around the city.
To our new mayor
The Honorable Stephendare:
Your excellency, it has come to my attention that the sprawling campus of Cowford State Express University now has a fully operating medical school, and teaching facility in conjunction with the University of Florida, Shands and Mayo Clinic. As CSXU has quickly become one of the fastest growing medical research Universities in the world we should address the needs of our many area veterans.
Therefore I, Thurston Howell - Justice IV, world traveler, part time Colombian, streetcar builder and friend to spotted cats and teal blue women everywhere, offer to build, free of charge, a new 500 room Veterans Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville. Your early interest would be appreciated.
Thirsty IV Justice
story in the WSJ yesterday about this happening around the country at comm colleges.
There is already a Jacksonville State in Alabama.
Quote from: Jimmy Olsen on July 24, 2008, 01:59:18 PM
I really like the idea of FCCJ moving up the ranks, especially with how over crowded our current Universities are. I would also love to see a University downtown!
BUT....
A few of my Professors at FCCJ do not like the idea of it becoming a state school. The main issue being affordability for lower income students in the area. A lot of people who wouldn't be able to go to school depend on FCCJ's low cost for higher education. If FCCJ were to become a state school, it would drive up the prices making it harder for people to attend.
This isn't my opinion, I actually love the idea. I just wanted to let you guys know what some of the FCCJ peeps are saying about it.
Lacking enough facts at this time I tend to agree. FCCJ serves a vital function in Jax just as it is. FCCJ is an oustanding institution and provides advanced learning opportunities to many who would otherwise not get it. It is a springboard into higher education for those who did not achieve or "mature" enough in high school.
$.02
As long as it stays affordable it will still meet the needs of the "downtrodden". Come on folks a four year downtown, that is going to spur development for sure!
Aren't they doing an expansion now?
It would be awesome if the Downtown location were large enough to warrant housing on campus. St Petersburg College has no dorms on any campus despite their name change, but I don't know if any of the other 9 pilot colleges have initiated any form of housing.
Seems to me that FCCJ is extremely large and should be able to support on campus housing somewhere (though whether that is downtown remains to be seen).
In any case, I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves...the school is beginning to award a few 4-year degrees beginning this fall and I think they're mainly focused on how that goes. I heard from my parents (both professors at FCCJ) that a decision on the state college designation probably won't be made for awhile.
How 'bout First Coast College of Jacksonville - won't even have to change the initials.
I think the current downtown construction at FCCJ is to fancy-up their State Street entrance. But a full-fledged downtown college, with dorms, would be great. UNF could have had that, until the State was given 1000 acres out in the boonies. And they should concentrate the 4-year program on an expanded (vertically) downtown campus.
"First Coast College" - that sounds great.
By the way - drove down there today. That area has terrific potential to be a beautiful campus. An abundance of parks nearby, lake, stream, etc. Vacant land nearby would be easy to acquire for expansion.
It could really turn around the whole Hogan's Creek/State & Union corridor between Downtown and Springfield in the long run.
Assuming this happened, would ALL locations continue to be utilized? Also, would there not be a need for a "community college" anymore? Seems to me that Kent campus or downtown would be the most viable options for expansion and/or on-site quarters.
Quote from: rjp2008 on July 26, 2008, 09:05:13 PM
"First Coast College" - that sounds great.
By the way - drove down there today. That area has terrific potential to be a beautiful campus. An abundance of parks nearby, lake, stream, etc. Vacant land nearby would be easy to acquire for expansion.
I go to the First Florida CU down in that area. I usually make a point to drive by FCCJ. There is definitely potential to make it a great urban campus. You could easily have student housing.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on July 26, 2008, 05:18:12 PM
How 'bout First Coast College of Jacksonville - won't even have to change the initials.
I think the current downtown construction at FCCJ is to fancy-up their State Street entrance. But a full-fledged downtown college, with dorms, would be great. UNF could have had that, until the State was given 1000 acres out in the boonies. And they should concentrate the 4-year program on an expanded (vertically) downtown campus.
Good one...! I like it!
John T. Alsop College, Fuller Warren College, A. Phillip Randolf College, John Matthews College, Bob Hayes College, Wolfson College, Clara White College...
Quote from: urbanlibertarian on July 27, 2008, 03:54:12 PM
John T. Alsop College, Fuller Warren College, A. Phillip Randolf College, John Matthews College, Bob Hayes College, Wolfson College, Clara White College...
Or...John Peyton College. What? No takers?
This might have been mentioned before, but I would personally rather see off campus downtown dorms that are walking distance from either FCCJ itself or any of the Skyway stations. Students could just ride the monorail to get to class plus more renovations for our existing buildings rather than new construction on the actual campus. Not sure what the likely hood of this happening would actually be though.
Frist Coast College of Jacksonville - Good one, Charles Hunter.
Why not just make it a satellite campus of the University of Florida especially since UF already does a lot with Shands here in Jacksonville.
University of Florida - Jacksonville.
This satellite campus could offer more workforce type degrees rather than typical university degrees that are usually broad which could be offerred by the Gainesville campus.
considering the state already has massive financial problems I don't understand the need to spend money on this, we already have a state university here, UNF, why do we need another one? As another has noted JAX needs a low level, low cost school like FCCJ
FCCJ remains commited to filling the role it plays in the community with low cost entry level education. They also want to add to the four year programs they offer and the new status requires a name change. FCCJ is run so well I tend to trust them. This is an expansion not and not just another UNF.
Quoteconsidering the state already has massive financial problems I don't understand the need to spend money on this, we already have a state university here, UNF, why do we need another one? As another has noted JAX needs a low level, low cost school like FCCJ
beein frum Jacsunville i done finelly foudn sumptin wei'ns agreee onn. Ainnt got no kneed fer no dam skul. Mie unkle earnst ainnt got no skul'in neithere. He done whooped everie won on da st MARYES, reel goode tu. He gots hiss selff a piccup truk an a trailller house, 4 coun doggs, 3 fisshn reals an a wowman. Maude. Maude iss a desh tu. Her gotts 9 teethe, an 18 chilin an 2 dressis. com on doowne fer turcie dae, we's havin catfsih, com ovver.
Got to love this city!OCKLAWAHA
Takes out pin marked "Legislature".
Pops balloon labeled "4-year FCCJ"
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/sfl-flpstatecollegesbox0705sbjul07,0,322350.story
FCCJ doesn't seem to be on the list of community colleges going to 4-year schools
Shazam wate til I teles ernest! Nother dollur fer mie Bud.
OCKLAWAHA
That doesn't matter, the changes are coming in waves. The list you have there is the original list (actually it's missing Broward College and some, like St Petersburg College, have been in the conversion process for a couple years now)
If you look at the date of the news story you've posted, it's actually older than the news story that started this entire thread.
So keep your hopes up, folks!! (although I personally don't believe the state college distinction is going to have anywhere close to the dramatic effect some seem to be expecting)
Quote from: Charles Hunter on September 11, 2008, 10:26:24 PM
Takes out pin marked "Legislature".
Pops balloon labeled "4-year FCCJ"
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/sfl-flpstatecollegesbox0705sbjul07,0,322350.story
FCCJ doesn't seem to be on the list of community colleges going to 4-year schools
oops, need to tune up my Google-foo
I have always loved FCCJ and try to take new and exciting courses there once a year. Do you think the extra programs added will leave UNF and EWC and JU behind in certain categories-sports, music etc. (Since neither of these institutions seem to be making the mark in either arena.
OK, Google-foo tuned, and it wasn't out of tune to begin with:
Quote1004.875 State College Pilot Project.--
(1) The Legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the state to provide the residents of the state affordable access to baccalaureate degree programs that are designed to meet regional and statewide employment needs.
(2)(a) Beginning with the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the State College Pilot Project is created, which shall be conducted by Chipola College, Daytona Beach College, Edison College, Indian River College, Miami Dade College, Okaloosa-Walton College, Polk College, Santa Fe College, and St. Petersburg College in collaboration with the Florida College System Task Force. The purpose of the pilot project is to recommend to the Legislature an approval process for the transition of baccalaureate-degree-granting community colleges to state colleges in order to meet the employment needs of Florida, criteria for the transition of institutions in the Florida College System to state colleges, and a funding model for the Florida College System.
So, no FCCJ in the Pilot Program, which must issue a report to the Legislature on recommendations for expanding the program, and implementation ideas.
From here: http://www.flsenate.gov/cgi-bin/view_page.pl?Tab=session&Submenu=1&FT=D&File=sb1716er.html&Directory=session/2008/Senate/bills/billtext/html/
Quoted section begins on line 196. It talks about the Pilot Program and reporting around line 263.
Doesn't (or didn't) Senator Wise work for FCCJ? Couldn't he get our school included??
Cool. Thanks for the added info. It solidifies what I had alluded to back in July...
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on July 26, 2008, 03:18:31 PM
I heard from my parents (both professors at FCCJ) that a decision on the state college designation probably won't be made for awhile.
I believe there are about 10 more community colleges considering the switch after this initial "pilot project," and as I said, FCCJ is among those, but it's far from a done deal. This fall marks the inception of their four 4-year degree programs, so it's a start, but it's just a start.
For what it is worth, I am a professor at FCCJ and my understanding is that we offer four 4-year degrees now, which makes us a college. The big questions are will we keep this status, if so, will we expand our offerings?
I do not see a cost problem at this time. We are offering degrees that there is a shown demand for and we already most of the parts in place since we where already courses and/or 2-year degrees.
I would like us to be allowed to offer a few BA degrees that are liberal arts based.
"First Coast College of Jacksonville" "FCJ" - so named by Charles Hunter does sound pretty good. Also, I will toss out there "Florida College at Jacksonville" --->>> We can even save money losing the weight of the extra "C"!!!! : )
My 2 cents.
Jaxphotocat
if you convert FCCJ into a 4 year state university what will take the place of FCCJ? there is a need for a community college, I don't know if there's a need for another 4 year school
The legislation I linked to requires the new state COLLEGES (not Universities) to continue their missions of providing low-cost, access-to-all, education to their communities.
Going back to what jaxphotocat said, this is what confuses me, FCCJ is offering 4-year degrees, but isn't part of the "pilot program"? Why not be in the pilot?
Making a North link on the Skyway as a transit - trunk - Line seem to make all that much more sense. Edward Waters - First Coast College - Jones - JU, toss in the Courthouse, library or a railway connection and we'd have to beat the tourists and students off with bats.. "In a godda de vida"
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: rjp2008 on July 24, 2008, 10:26:49 AM
If you want to spur downtown development and activity, nothing better than upgrading your higher education right in the middle of downtown. Ensures a constant influx of young adults. BU in Boston, NYU in New York, etc, etc.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072408/met_308718930.shtml
Jax State College?
Jax College (kinda like that one)
Jax College International (heh heh)
One of the things that appeals to me and my husband about living in downtown Jacksonville is that it's within walking distance to a college and library. We would love to live in a high rise with a river view, but the places I've been able to find while surfing the net, like Berkman Plaza, and Peninsula seem like even just a studio on a low floor would be at least $200-$300,000. Does anyone know of any high rise condos on the river, or downtown with a river view that has prices in the $100,000's? We're considering moving up there from Fort Myers. Any comments, suggestions, or warnings? Thanks!
best name is First Coast College of/at Jacksonville. i dont think anyone will be able to stop calling it FCCJ, or want to.
Quote from: mrsepsr on September 16, 2008, 07:44:58 PM
Quote from: rjp2008 on July 24, 2008, 10:26:49 AM
If you want to spur downtown development and activity, nothing better than upgrading your higher education right in the middle of downtown. Ensures a constant influx of young adults. BU in Boston, NYU in New York, etc, etc.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072408/met_308718930.shtml
Jax State College?
Jax College (kinda like that one)
Jax College International (heh heh)
One of the things that appeals to me and my husband about living in downtown Jacksonville is that it's within walking distance to a college and library. We would love to live in a high rise with a river view, but the places I've been able to find while surfing the net, like Berkman Plaza, and Peninsula seem like even just a studio on a low floor would be at least $200-$300,000. Does anyone know of any high rise condos on the river, or downtown with a river view that has prices in the $100,000's? We're considering moving up there from Fort Myers. Any comments, suggestions, or warnings? Thanks!
There are quite a few options. The river views are going to come at a premium but there are plenty of other places for rent and sale in and around downtown.
Check out http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/
Hope you find what you're looking for.
Just talked to my parents tonight. My mom mentioned that the school had its convocation this past week (postponed from august due to Fay) and they formally announced their plans to become a 4-year state college. I guess they have 90 days or something to submit some application, presumably to start the new programs next school year.
Anyway, sorry I don't have very many details, but I'm just confirming that FCCJ is moving forward with their state college plans and the name change will come by the end of this 90-day period.
Cool.
I ran into one of FCCJ's deans the other night and he mentioned the same thing.
This is awesome and exciting!
QuoteWhy pick this name? Steve Wallace, president of the college, said the word “state” emphasizes the school’s focus on serving all of Florida. It’s also not so different from FCCJ that the school would lose its brand in the community.
That's so absurd. As if a community college has any brand equity that's worthwhile to a 4 year college. If anything one would want to distance oneself from community college roots.
Oh well ... hardly a huge issue either way ...
Well, that's sorta the point, Joe. They're not just a community college anymore. While they will still serve the function of a community college locally, the state college could draw interest from, as Wallace said, around the state.
I understand the point but it does sound like kind of a let down. But I guess college names are really nothing to right home about anyway.
this will obviously change the scholarship process
can anyone get me a website or program besides ARTEMIS i think most of us are familiar with ephesians
What an original name, Jacksonville thinking out of the box again!
Email from Steve Wallace, president of "FCCJ," yesterday after the state legislature officially approved the school's name change, effective in august.
QuoteI am delighted to inform you that a few minutes ago the Florida Legislature passed the Florida College Bill that changes the name of our college and provides implementing statutes for Florida’s new state colleges. Accordingly, we will commence operation as Florida State College at Jacksonville on August 1, 2009.
In celebrating this great advancement of our college it is important to recognize that our accomplishment today was possible only because of the fine, dedicated work of our faculty, staff and leaders over the initial 44 years of the college’s history. It is important that we reaffirm that the foundational values of the community college mission â€" accessibility, affordability, and community responsiveness -- remain as the cornerstones of the new state college. It is, in fact, our citizens’ need for affordable, accessible, career-oriented bachelor’s degrees to compete effectively in a knowledge economy that propelled us to this historic day in the college’s evolution.
The extraordinary transition from a community college to a four-year state college is, unquestionably, one of the most significant events in our college’s history. Formal affirmation by the legislature of our expanded mission is the demarcation point for important new opportunities to serve our students and our community. Truly regional in scope and impact, Florida State College is well positioned to be highly responsive and relevant to tremendous range of needs and interests in our service area, our state and our nation.
There is much work to be done prior to our emergence as a state college this summer. The most immediate requirement is to finalize the first budget of the new institution -- something we cannot do until the Legislature approves our funding for next year. At the same time we will be implementing our new organizational structure, most of which we will be able to have in place by August 1. You will be hearing a lot about these plans over the next several weeks.
Finally, a word about our new identity in the community. We appeal to you to resist the temptation to reduce our wonderful new name to an acronym. The words “Florida State College†are far more compelling than the letters “FSCJâ€.
I’m looking forward to working with you as we launch an exciting new era for our STATE college!
Dr. Steven Wallace
College President
Florida Community College
Ugh, what an awful name. Imagine being a student there...
:) : What school do you go to?
:( : Florida State...
:) : Oh really? That's aweso-
:( : College.
:-\ : Oh.