About 200 community members packed a ballroom at USF Sarasota-Manatee on Wednesday to oppose a legislative plan transferring the campus to New College of Florida. The Florida House passed a bill that would move the campus's land, buildings, and debt by July 1, while allocating $23 million of USF's state funding to New College.

Local business leaders warned of severe economic impacts if the transfer proceeds. Kerkering Barberio, an accounting firm, employs 30% USF Sarasota-Manatee graduates, while Carr, Riggs & Ingram has 20% of its workforce from the campus. Healthcare providers like HCA Blake Hospital rely heavily on the campus's nursing program graduates for clinical rotations.

Former legislator Lisa Carlton urged attendees to contact senators, declaring "This is way not over." Campus officials emphasized that 95% of graduates remain in the area, making the campus vital to local workforce development. New College's provost countered that the institution would sustain existing partnerships and add a hospitality program, citing Sarasota-Manatee's dense hospitality industry. The Senate and Gov. Ron DeSantis must still approve the legislation before it becomes law.