Chris Kinsley: achievements and hopes for the future
Christian Kinsley at the Feb. 22 Board of Trustees meeting. Photo courtesy of Christian Kinsley.

Chris Kinsley: achievements and hopes for the future

Readers of the Catalyst for the past four years may recognize the name Christian Kinsley.  He has been an important, reliable source for many articles, providing much-needed background on significant topics the Catalyst has covered. As Vice President of Finance and Administration since Mar. 15, 2020,…

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FL Board of Governors removes sociology from core curriculum options
A College Hall classroom. Photo taken by Christine Wehner.

FL Board of Governors removes sociology from core curriculum options

Sociology is no longer an option for Florida post-secondary students seeking to fulfill their general education course requirements. As of Jan. 24, introductory sociology courses cannot be counted for the social science requirement due to the discipline losing favor with the Florida Board of Governors…

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Revisions to Carryforward Spending Plan raise questions about transparency
Screenshot of the Nov. 6 BOT meeting supporting documents regarding Carryforward Spending Plan revisions.

Revisions to Carryforward Spending Plan raise questions about transparency

On Nov. 6, the New College Board of Trustees (BOT) held a virtual meeting with the sole agenda item of discussing revisions to the Carryforward Spending Plan. According to the State University System of Florida (SUS), Carryforward funds are reserve funds that each university must…

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Richard Corcoran is now among the highest paid presidents in the state of Florida
A screenshot of the Oct. 20 Board of Trustees meeting that took place on Zoom. (Courtesy of New College of Florida's YouTube.)

Richard Corcoran is now among the highest paid presidents in the state of Florida

President Richard Corcoran’s employment contract was the primary topic of discussion at the Oct. 20 Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting. The contract was negotiated and presented by Vice Chair Ron Christaldi, and after an hour-long discussion the BOT moved to approve the document. The motion…

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Oct. 3 Board of Trustees meeting preceded by protest supporting academic freedom
Xandr Denner stands at the podium with recent alumni Sophia Brown, students, and community members with Women’s Voices of Southwest Florida. (Taken by Chloe Rusek.)

Oct. 3 Board of Trustees meeting preceded by protest supporting academic freedom

Outside Hamilton “Ham” Center, rhythmic drumming drew a crowd to Z Green at 12 p.m. on Oct. 3, just a few short hours before the Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting where the new president of New College would be chosen. Speakers, students and supporters alike…

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BOT Academic Affairs subcommittee discusses admissions policies and a “representative and diverse student body”
Trustee Charles Kesler is a member of the Subcommittee of Academic Affairs. Photo by Basil Pursley

BOT Academic Affairs subcommittee discusses admissions policies and a “representative and diverse student body”

The Academic, Student and External Affairs Standing Committee, a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees (BOT),  met on Apr. 17 to discuss upcoming items for the Apr. 26 BOT meeting, vote on a few small amendments and discuss reports from the college. Notice of this…

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NCF Board of Trustees approves revised contract for Richard Corcoran
Vice Chair Ron Christaldi tuning in to the Feb. 21 Special BOT Meeting from his car. Photo taken by Basil Pursley

NCF Board of Trustees approves revised contract for Richard Corcoran

Incoming Interim New College President Richard Corcoran’s employment contract was approved on Feb. 21 by the Board of Trustees (BOT), including his lofty base salary of $699,000. Approval of Corcoran’s contract was the only action item at this virtual Special BOT meeting, and judging by…

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Board of Trustees approves Corcoran’s Interim President contract: NCF faces uncertain future
The Board of Trustees (BOT) and a handful of other New College administrators present for the Special BOT Meeting on Feb. 13 via Zoom. Photo taken by Sophia Brown

Board of Trustees approves Corcoran’s Interim President contract: NCF faces uncertain future

After a deeply disruptive Jan. 31 meeting, the New College Board of Trustees (BOT) was not expected to meet again until the end of February. However, on Feb. 6, it was posted on the New College website that a Special BOT Meeting would be held…

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Who is Richard Corcoran? A look at our incoming Interim President
A photo of Richard Corcoran, flanked by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Who is Richard Corcoran? A look at our incoming Interim President

On Jan. 31, the New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees (BOT) fired former President Patricia Okker and proposed replacing her with an interim, Republican politician and education administrator Richard Corcoran, effective Feb. 27. Corcoran’s base salary will sit at $699,000, approved when his proposed…

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