FL S1296

Requires Board of Governors to establish an annual assessment of intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity at each state university using an objective, nonpartisan survey, with results published by September 1 each year beginning in 2020.

Modifies performance-based metrics for state universities to include 2-year graduation rates for community college transfer students, 6-year graduation rates for Pell Grant-eligible students, and percentage of students graduating without excess hours, beginning in fiscal year 2020-2021.

Restricts state appropriation transfers from university boards of trustees to direct-support organizations and University of Florida health entities to only capital projects, health care delivery, intergovernmental matching funds, or graduate medical education, effective July 1, 2019.

Establishes a reverse transfer agreement provision allowing Florida College System institutions to award associate in arts degrees to students who transfer to state universities before completing their degree requirements.

Requires the Board of Governors to include 5-year trend data on faculty and administrator staffing in legislative budget requests and prohibits administrator growth rates from exceeding faculty growth rates at any state university.