FL S1752

Establishes collaborative partnership between Board of Governors and Legislature to elevate academic and research excellence at Florida's highest-performing state research universities beginning with 2012-2013 academic year.

Allows state research universities meeting at least 11 of 14 specified academic and research excellence standards to set student tuition and fees at differentiated and market rates beyond existing limitations, with approval from university board of trustees and Board of Governors.

Sets academic and research excellence standards including minimum 3.8 GPA and 1800 SAT for incoming freshmen, top 50 national ranking, 90% freshman retention rate, 70% six-year graduation rate, $200 million in annual research expenditures, and $400 million endowment.

Permits qualified universities to require incoming first-time-in-college students to take 9-to-12 credits of university-determined courses and restricts earning credit for these courses through acceleration mechanisms or transfer credit.

Requires Board of Governors to oversee implementation and is encouraged to identify and grant additional flexibilities to improve national rankings of university programs of excellence.