No Poly Folly: Looks like USF President Judy Genshaft, who had been getting criticism for not taking a stronger stand against USF Polytechnic independence, played it just right. She never responded in kind to the zero-sum, cheap PR game that legacy-hungry Sen. JD Alexander and egotistical Poly Chancellor Marshall Goodwin played.
She stayed above the fray, while staying abreast of it. In the end, she made the case that Poly could accomplish its goals through USF–not by going its own ill-advised way. She believes in building bridges, not burning them.
Genshaft also helped orchestrate an impressive turnout in front of the Board of Governors. She obviously realized she still has to work with Poly people, although Goodwin may not be among them for long.
Ultimately, Alexander and Goodwin’s 14-week secession campaign yielded a consolation prize: the Alexander Vo Tech concept, per se, was not deep-sixed. Which means if independence from the USF Tampa mother ship does happen, it will be years down the I-4 road. But not now. Not even close.