Prometheus 6

Report: College access gap looms in Fla.
Minority students' access to colleges in Florida could take a major hit in the next few years if the state doesn't improve funding, a new report said.
BY OSCAR CORRAL

Budget cuts and chronic underfunding have left Florida's university system on the brink of a crisis that could leave tens of thousands of students without access to a college education, according to a report by a group that monitors state universities.

The report by ENLACE Florida says the recent decision by the state Board of Governors to freeze growth in freshman enrollment for three years, followed by the possibility of enrollment cuts, ''will create a significant college access gap.'' ENLACE Florida is a network of state university faculty members that researches and promotes college access for minorities.

ENLACE Executive Director Paul Dosal said the consequences of the state's tightfistedness with higher education are now becoming evident.