State budget concerns stall USF pharmacy program - South Florida Business Journal:

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A bill pending in the establishinga four-year doctorf of pharmacy degree program at USF is stalled as lawmakerzs grapple with a budget Without legislative approval, the progran could be delayed, exacerbating a shortage of pharmacists in the The university isn’t asking for any money for the programj right now, although it plans to seek state supportr beginning in fiscal year But, with the state facing a budgey shortfall for the upcominvg fiscal year, Senate staffers are blockingh progress of any spending bills, USF President Judy Genshafrt told a board of trustees workgroup on April 16.
Genshaftf asked trustees and others at the meeting tosend e-mails to Senatew leaders urging passage of the measure. “The pharmacy programn is about providing for the needsz ofthe state,” said Rhea Law, president of the board of adding that retailers such as (NYSE: WAG) and insurerx such as are in need of more pharmacists in “The state would put money into incentivew to bring these jobs here,” Law voted in January to approve the USF pharmacg program, but the Legislature also needs to give its OK becausr pharmacists are licensed by the state. Identicalo measures pending in the House and Senate authorizethe program.
The Hous bill is progressing smoothly, but the Senate sponsored by Sen. Mike Fasano, R-Nesw Port Richey, is being held up, Genshafgt said. Fasano did not return a call for The university is using fundsw from corporate andprivate donors, including a $1 millionn anonymous gift, for the initial For fiscal year 2011-12, when the first class of 50 studentz would enroll, USF is asking for $1.4 milliob from the state, followedd by $2.7 million in FY The program is expected to reach full capacity at 400 studentw in 2016. Tuition would coverf about 70 percent ofthe costs.
If the Legislatur e doesn’t approve the USF could delay it for one year and ask for state fundw beginning inFY 2012-13, Genshaff said. She’s also looking at alternative funding such asincreasing tuition, more fundraising to increase private investment and reallocating othert university resources. Five other Floridw institutions offer doctor ofpharmacy degrees. Genshafft said none have objected to theUSF