New College

Since the overhaul of New College of Florida in 2023, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’s administration is now moving toward a potential expansion for the tiny public liberal arts college in Sarasota, by taking over educational and cultural facilities from other state universities.DeSantis aims to have the school take over the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, which is adjacent to the school but run by Florida State University.

Federal aviation authorities have been expected to weigh in on the deal, which must be done at fair market value and meet other criteria determined by the agency.

A business plan outlining sweeping changes at New College of Florida is “not financially viable” in its current state, a University of Florida business-school faculty member said in an analysis that critiqued New College’s “strategic vision.”

The small liberal-arts school in Sarasota launched an intercollegiate athletics department in March, following sweeping leadership changes. Gov. Ron DeSantis in January appointed a slate of conservative allies to the trustees board.

Graduates of New College of Florida held an alternative commencement at the Sarasota Art Museum on Thursday. Hundreds of family and friends joined them in celebrating.

The 700-student Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts has offered students at Florida's New College admission, and is matching their current cost of tuition.

2018 marks the bicentennial of the publication of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus," and Southwest Florida is marking the…