Florida Polytechnic University

Public university in Lakeland, Florida, US

Florida Polytechnic University

Former name

| University of South Florida Lakeland (1988-2008)
University of South Florida Polytechnic (2008-2012)
Motto| "Technology, Engineering, Industry"
Type| Public university
Established| April 20, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-04-20)[1]

Parent institution

| State University System of Florida
Accreditation| SACS

Academic affiliations

| Space-grant
Endowment| $3.57 million (2021)[2]
President| Devin Stephenson
Provost| Terry Parker

Academic staff

| 97[3]

Administrative staff

| 171[3]
Students| 1,236 (Spring 2017)[4]
Location|

Lakeland

Florida

United States

Campus| Fringe rural[6], 531 acres (2.15 km2)[5]
Media| Layers
Colors| Royal Purple

Mascot| Phoenix
Website| https://floridapoly.edu

Florida Polytechnic University (Florida Poly) is a public university in Lakeland, Florida. Created as an independent university in 2012, it is the newest of the 12 institutions in the State University System of Florida. It is the state's only public polytechnic university, and focuses solely on STEM education.[7]

The institution originated as a branch campus of the University of South Florida, which opened in 1988. The State of Florida authorized a new campus in 2008, and renamed the school University of South Florida Polytechnic. In 2012, the Florida Legislature initiated plans to dissolve the USF branch campus and reform the Lakeland institution into an independent school. Florida Poly opened for classes on August 25, 2014 with an inaugural class of 554 students.[8]

Florida Poly resides on a 170-acre[9] campus. The university's Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, is home to a 3-D printing lab, cyber gaming and media lab, cyber security lab, robotics lab, and a big data lab.[10] In addition, Florida Poly is the first university whose campus library is completely digital.[11]

## History

[edit]

Eastern side of the IST Building

The University of South Florida opened a satellite campus in Lakeland – University of South Florida Lakeland – in 1988.[12] The branch shared its grounds with the Lakeland campus of Polk Community College (now Polk State College). By the 2000s it had grown to enroll around 4,000 students, and the local business owners secured state funding for a separate campus in 2008. The same year, USF's trustees renamed the campus University of South Florida Polytechnic, reflecting a new focus on STEM education.[12][13] A site near Interstate 4 was chosen for the new campus. In 2009 Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava was selected to design the campus' first building.[13]

Meanwhile, the institution's backers, most prominently Florida State Senator J. D. Alexander, then-Chair of the Florida Senate's Budget Committee, initiated a campaign to break USF Polytechnic away from USF and form an independent university, Florida Polytechnic University. In 2011 Alexander proposed a 2012-13 state budget that provided $33 million for the move.[14][15] Like the acquisition of the new campus, the proposed split was controversial in some quarters, as it came during a tight budget year and was unpopular with USF students and faculty.[16] In response to Alexander's proposal, the Florida Board of Governors approved a multi-year plan to allow Florida Polytechnic to gain independence gradually once it met certain criteria, including accreditation, the construction of residence halls, and the development of a STEM curriculum.[17] Displeased with the board's compromise, Alexander introduced a new budget for the state universities that included immediate independence from USF Polytechnic, effectively bypassing the Board of Governors.[18]

On April 20, 2012, Governor Rick Scott signed into law Alexander's budget for the State University System, including the provision that created Florida Polytechnic University as an independent institution, and closed down USF Polytechnic. The law took effect on July 1, 2012.[19][20] In a letter that accompanied the signed legislation (SB 1994[21]) creating Florida Poly, Scott noted that Florida Poly, with its strong focus on STEM programs, will be a key component of the State University System of Florida meeting the goals outlined in its 2012-2015 Strategic Plan. The strategic plan requires the State University System to increase STEM degree production from 9,605 to 22,500 per year by 2025.[22]

The university submitted its initial application for regional accreditation in December 2014.[23] In March 2016, the Florida Poly administration announced that the university would not meet its original accreditation deadline of December 31, 2016. A budget bill sent to the office of Gov. Rick Scott would extend the school's accreditation deadline until December 2017.[22][24] The university finally received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in June 2017.[25][26]

The university had its inaugural commencement ceremony on Jan 3, 2017. Fourteen students graduated with the Master of Science and four students were awarded the Bachelor of Science.[27] The commencement speaker was JD Alexander, the former State Senator known for his advocacy of a STEM university in Lakeland. The campus was thus named after him.[28]

On April 15, 2024, Dr. Devin Stephenson was selected by a committee to serve as Florida Poly's next president after inaugural university president Dr. Randy Avent announced his resignation from the position at the end of the tenth year of his tenure.[29]

## Academics

[edit]

The university offers nine baccalaureate programs, two master's programs and 31 areas of concentration.[30] Curricula and classroom facilities are designed to facilitate hands-on, applied learning, and degree programs are focused on preparing students for STEM-related careers.[31] Four Florida Poly bachelor's degrees received ABET accreditation on August 28, 2019: computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

### Demographics

[edit]

Fall first-time freshman admission statistics  | 2023[32] | 2022[33] | 2021[34] | 2020[35] | 2019[36] | 2018[37] | 2017[38] | 2016[39]

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Applicants  | 2,432 | 2,780 | 2,124 | 1,665 | 1,259 | 1,438 | 1,215 | 1,531
Admits  | 1,281 | 1,310 | 1,159 | 973 | 631 | 729 | 672 | 1,127
Enrolls  | 343 | 358 | 398 | 315 | 277 | 315 | 317 | 410
Admit rate  | 52.7% | 47.1% | 54.6% | 58.4% | 50.1% | 50.7% | 55.3% | 73.6%
Yield rate  | 26.8% | 27.3% | 34.3% | 32.4% | 43.9% | 43.2% | 47.2% | 36.4%
SAT composite*  | 1200–1390
(69%†) | 1250–1370
(69%†) | 1210–1360
(90%†) | 1210–1300
(91%†) | 1210–1340
(85%†) | 1220–1368
(67%†) | 1180–1330
(52%†) | 1040–1260
(72%†)
ACT composite*  | 25–31
(31%†) | 26–30
(31%†) | 26–31
(49%†) | 27–32
(43%†) | 27–31
(43%†) | 27–31
(33%†) | 25–29
(48%†) | 23–28
(65%†)
* middle 50% range
† percentage of first-time freshmen who chose to submit
Student body composition as of May 2, 2022  Race and ethnicity[40] | Total

|

White | 61%  | 61

Hispanic | 21%  | 21

Black | 6%  | 6

Asian | 5%  | 5

Other[a] | 5%  | 5

Foreign national | 2%  | 2

Economic diversity
Low-income[b] | 32%  | 32

Affluent[c] | 68%  | 68

The inaugural class of students at Florida Poly had an average incoming GPA of 3.9 and test scores of 1350 on the SAT and 25 on the ACT. The average weighted high school GPA was 4.0, with average SAT and ACT scores for admitted freshman in fall 2017 at 1280 (SAT) and 28 (ACT).[41]

## Industry partnerships

[edit]

Florida Poly collaborates with more than 100 corporate, government and non-government organizations that provide guidance on curriculum development, assist with research and offer internship opportunities.[42] Industry partners include Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Mosaic, Cisco and Harris Corporation.[43] In Sept 2016, the University announced a long-term partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The FDOT will build a 400-acre technology test facility, which will include a 2.25-mile test track.[44]

## Research

[edit]

The Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research (FIPR) Institute is a Florida Poly research institution. The FIPR institute supports phosphate-related studies to improve the environment, protect public health and increase mining and processing efficiency. FIPR Institute's staff biologists, engineers and chemists also conduct in-house research, and the institute supports some non-phosphate topics such as energy and the mining and processing of other minerals.[45]

Florida Poly's Advanced Mobility Institute (AMI) is a university-affiliated technology research center focused on the development and testing of autonomous vehicle (AV) related technology. AMI is not only unique to the state, but also one of the largest university centers specialized on the narrow area of testing and verification of AV technology in the country.[citation needed]

## Campus

[edit]

A view of the IST Building from the visitor parking lot

Florida Poly's 170-acre campus includes the Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building, two residence halls, Student Development Center, Wellness Center, and Admissions Center. The University Trail is a multiuse trail connected to the campus.

### Innovation, Science, and Technology (IST) Building

[edit]

Inside the main facility

The 162,000-square-foot Innovation, Science, and Technology (IST) Building is the university's main facility. It houses 26 classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, 11,000-square-foot Saddle Creek Logistics Commons, seven labs–including a 3D printing lab, cybersecurity lab, and health informatics lab. The building is also home to the school's digital library. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the building includes 94 robotic louvers on the roof that move to accommodate changing sunlight patterns.[46][47]

#### Digital library

[edit]

Florida Poly's IST Building includes a bookless library where students can access more than 135,000 digital titles on their choice of reader, tablet or laptop.[48] Students still have access to librarians and a reference desk to receive tutoring, resources and training to manage digital materials.[49] Hard copy books can be requested on loan from libraries at Florida's 11 other public universities.

### Barnett Applied Research Center (formerly the Applied Research Center)

[edit]

The Barnett Applied Research Center (BARC) opened in spring 2022. The new 85,000 square foot Barnett Applied Research Center (BARC) houses research and teaching laboratories, student design spaces, conference rooms, and faculty offices. The building also provides study areas for graduate students and a small amount of administrative space. A dedicated section of the center assists with commercialization of innovation and applied research and send new inventions into the marketplace. During the Fall 2023 semester, the name was changed from the "Applied Research Center" (ARC) to the "Barnett Applied Research Center" (BARC) after the Barnett Family, which has donated over $10 million to the university.[50]

### Residence halls

[edit]

Florida Polytechnic University has three residence halls, starting with Residence Hall I, with Residence Hall II being built in 2015.[51] Residence Hall I consists of three- and four-bedroom suites, while Residence Hall II is mostly two-bedroom "semi-suites".[52] The buildings themselves were originally owned by an outside company, but as of November 2022 the school now owns both buildings. On March 29, 2023, Florida Polytechnic University announced the broken ground on Residence Hall III, a five story, 137,000 square foot facility with 430 beds in one, two and four bedroom suites, which was completed on September 10, 2024.[53]

## Florida PolyCon

[edit]

Since April 2015,[54][55] Florida Polytechnic University has hosted an annual convention called FLPolyCon, which in 2021 rebranded to Florida PolyCon. According to the website for the 2018 FLPolyCon, "FLPolyCon is a diverse, all-inclusive geek culture celebration hosted by the students at Florida Polytechnic University."[56] Historically, the convention has catered to the self-professed "geek" culture by including aspects of video games and comics, often of the science fiction genre.[55] More recently, Florida PolyCon has been adding elements of anime and cosplay.[57]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Other consists of Multiracial Americans & those who prefer to not say.
2. ^ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
3. ^ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Florida Polytechnic University - SUSF". State University System of Florida. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
2. ^ "Data USA - Florida Poly".
3. ^ a b "Florida Polytechnic University Fact Sheet". Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
4. ^ "UNIVERSITY FACT SHEET". floridapoly.edu. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
5. ^ "Facts".
6. ^ "IPEDS-Florida Polytechnic University".
7. ^ "Florida Polytechnic University". i4 Business. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
8. ^ Toothman, Mary. "Students Settle Into College Life as Classes Begin at Florida Polytechnic University". The Ledger. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
9. ^ Madsen, Deane (August 15, 2014). "Santiago Calatrava's Florida Polytechnic University Opens Tomorrow". Architect, the Magazine of The American Institute of Architects. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
10. ^ "Innovation Labs - Florida Polytechnic University". Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
11. ^ Scott, Simon. "Florida Polytechnic Library Goes Book-Free". NPR. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
12. ^ a b Jerome R. Stockfish (August 3, 2014). "Florida Poly rises from pasture, ready for students". The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
13. ^ a b Lawrence Biemiller (June 16, 2009). "Calatrava Will Design First Building for U. of South Florida Polytechnic's New Campus". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
14. ^ Pransky, Noah. "USF Budget Cuts". 10 News fighting to #SaveUSF. 10 News Tampa. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
15. ^ Sanders, Katie. "PolitiFact Florida: Understanding the USF budget battle". Tampa Bay Tribune. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
16. ^ "JD Alexander is the face of what's wrong with Florida" Tampa Bay Times, March 4, 2012
17. ^ "USF-Poly gets conditional permission to break from USF, but won't happen immediately". WTSP. November 10, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
18. ^ "JD Alexander is the face of what's wrong with Florida". Tampa Bay Times. March 4, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
19. ^ "Scott Signs Bill to Establish Florida Poly as State's 12th University". The Ledger. April 20, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
20. ^ "Scott signs law creating independent Florida Polytechnic in Polk Co". Bay News 9. April 20, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
21. ^ "SB 1994: Postsecondary Education". The Florida Senate. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
22. ^ a b "Letter by Governor Rick Scott to Ken Detzner, Secretary of State". The Florida Office of the Governor. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
23. ^ "Florida Polytechnic University: Frequently Asked Questions". Florida Polytechnic University. Archived from the original on May 23, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
24. ^ Larrabee, Brandon (March 18, 2016). "Florida Poly accreditation delayed". Tampa Bay Business Journal.
25. ^ "Florida Polytechnic University now accredited". The Ledger. June 16, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
26. ^ McNeill, Claire (June 16, 2017). "Long-awaited accreditation for Florida Poly marks school as 'serious and legitimate'". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on June 16, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
27. ^ "Florida Polytechnic celebrates an early milestone as first grads turn their tassels". TBO.com. January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
28. ^ "Florida Polytechnic names campus for fighting founder JD Alexander". TBO.com. April 20, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
29. ^ "Dr. G. Devin Stephenson selected as next president of Florida Polytechnic University". floridapoly.edu. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
30. ^ Mitchell, Tia. "Florida Polytechnic survives controversy to enroll its first STEM students". Miami Herald. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
31. ^ Sarmah, Satta. "Should Universities Be Built in Silicon Valley's Image?". Fast Company. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
32. ^ "Common Data Set 2023-24" (PDF). Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
33. ^ "Common Data Set 2022-23" (PDF). Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
34. ^ "Common Data Set 2021-22" (PDF). Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
35. ^ "Common Data Set 2020-21" (PDF). Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
36. ^ "Common Data Set 2019-20" (PDF). Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
37. ^ "Common Data Set 2018-19" (PDF). Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
38. ^ "Common Data Set 2017-18" (PDF). Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
39. ^ "Common Data Set 2016-17" (PDF). Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
40. ^ "College Scorecard: Florida Polytechnic University". United States Department of Education. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
41. ^ "Did U Know?". Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
42. ^ "Florida Poly's 1st President: Front and Center". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
43. ^ "Industry Partners". Florida Polytechnic University. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
44. ^ "FDOT Announces Partnership with Florida Poly to Develop SunTrax". Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
45. ^ "Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute". Florida Polytechnic University. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
46. ^ Chino, Mike (August 12, 2014). "Santiago Calatrava's Spectacular New Building is a Living, Moving Creature From Out of This World". Inhabitat. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
47. ^ "What's That Big White Dome on I-4?". Orlando Sentinel. January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
48. ^ Kellogg, Carolyn. "Florida Polytechnic University opens with a bookless library". LA Times. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
49. ^ Stein, Letitia. "Library without books debuts at Florida's newest college". Reuters. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
50. ^ "Barnett family's transformational gift names Florida Poly's state-of-the-art research center". floridapoly.edu. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
51. ^ "Florida Poly gets go-ahead to build second residence hall". bizjournals.com. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
52. ^ "On-Campus Dining & Residence Halls - Florida Poly". Florida Polytechnic University. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
53. ^ Warren, Nicole (September 10, 2024). "Capstone Development Partners Completes Residence Hall Phase III at Florida Polytechnic University". Capstone Development Partners. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
54. ^ "PolyCon". facebook.com. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
55. ^ a b Ledger, Paul Catala The. "Polytechnic University hosts second sci-fi, comic convention". The Ledger. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
56. ^ "FLPolyCon| Home". flpolycon.org. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
57. ^ "FLPolyCon | Guests". flpolycon.org. May 23, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Florida Polytechnic University.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

The State University System of Florida

Campuses|

* Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
* Florida Atlantic University
* Florida Gulf Coast University
* Florida International University
* Florida Polytechnic University
* Florida State University
* New College of Florida
* University of Central Florida
* University of Florida
* University of North Florida
* University of South Florida
* University of West Florida

Chancellors|

* J. Broward Culpepper (1954-1968)
* Robert B. Mautz (1968-1975)
* E. Travis York (1975-1981)
* Barbara W. Newell (1981-1985)
* Charles B. Reed (1985-1998)
* Adam W. Herbert (1998-2001)
* Judy G. Hample (2001)
* Debra D. Austin (2003-2005)
* Mark B. Rosenberg (2005-2009)
* John Delaney (2009)
* Frank T. Brogan (2009-2013)
* Marshall Criser III (2014-2022)
* Ray Rodrigues (2023-)

Governing body|

* Florida Board of Control
* Florida Board of Regents
* Florida Board of Governors

Other|

* University Press of Florida
* Florida Institute of Oceanography
* List of State University System Libraries
* Bright Futures Scholarship Program
* Florida Student Association
* Advisory Council of Faculty Senates

State University System of Florida - Founded in 1905

* v
* t
* e

Institutes of technology, polytechnics, and technological universities in the United States

Public|

* Air Force Institute of Technology
* ASU Polytechnic School
* Arkansas Tech
* Cal Poly (Humboldt, Pomona, and San Luis Obispo)
* Colorado Mines
* Florida Poly
* Georgia Tech
* Iowa State
* K-State Salina
* Louisiana Tech
* Michigan Tech
* Missouri S&T
* Montana Tech
* New Jersey Institute of Technology
* New Mexico Tech
* Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
* Oregon Tech
* South Dakota Mines
* Southern Poly
* SUNY Poly
* Tennessee Tech
* Texas Tech
* Utah Tech
* UW–Stout
* Virginia Tech
* Wichita State
* WVU Tech

Private|

* Caltech
* Capitol Tech
* Clarkson
* Florida Tech
* Harrisburg
* Harvey Mudd
* Illinois Tech
* Indiana Tech
* Kettering
* Lawrence Tech
* MIT
* New England Tech
* NYIT
* Rensselaer
* RIT
* Rose–Hulman
* San Francisco Bay
* Stevens
* Washburn
* Wentworth
* WPI

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States

28°08′41.2″N 81°51′03.1″W﻿ / ﻿28.144778°N 81.850861°W﻿ / 28.144778; -81.850861
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template