Organization and administration of Florida State University
Florida State University (FSU) comprises 17 colleges and more than 110 centers, facilities, laboratories, and institutes, collectively offering 277 degree programs.
Colleges and Schools – Founding Years
Established Colleges/Schools
- 1901: College of Arts & Sciences, College of Education, College of Human Sciences, College of Music
- 1905: College of Fine Arts
- 1928: College of Social Work
- 1929: School of Dance
- 1947: Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, School of Communication, Dedman School of Hospitality
- 1950: College of Business, College of Nursing
- 1951: College of Criminology and Criminal Justice
- 1966: College of Law
- 1973: College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, School of Theatre
- 1982: College of Engineering
- 1989: College of Motion Picture Arts
- 2000: College of Medicine
- 2009: School of Communication Science and Disorders
- 2010: College of Applied Studies
- 2017: Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship, School of Physician Assistant Practice
Governance
As part of the State University System of Florida, FSU operates under the Florida Board of Governors, which consists of 17 members. The university is further governed by a 13-member Board of Trustees, responsible for overseeing operations in alignment with both FSU’s mission and the broader objectives of the State University System.
The university president reports directly to the Board of Trustees, while the executive staff members report to the president. These executives oversee various university divisions through a structured hierarchy.
The Faculty Senate, elected from the general faculty, serves as the legislative body responsible for developing academic policies and setting academic standards. While the Senate’s actions are subject to a presidential veto, a two-thirds majority vote can appeal such decisions to the Board of Trustees.
Established in 1935, FSU’s Student Government Association (SGA) consists of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch is led by the student body president, supported by a vice president, treasurer, seven agencies, four bureaus, and an executive cabinet. The legislative branch includes 80 senators, while the judicial branch consists of a chief justice and four associate justices, who must be in their second or third year of law school.
Relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida
After a 42-year period (1905–1947) in which FSU functioned as a women’s college, male collegiate sports were reinstated, and students voted to adopt “Seminoles” as the university’s official name and symbol. The university maintains a close relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which regulates the use of Seminole imagery in university activities. In 2005, the NCAA granted FSU a waiver permitting continued use of the Seminole name and imagery, acknowledging the university’s collaboration with the tribe.
Financial Overview
As of 2024, FSU’s financial endowment stood at $785.2 million, with total assets valued at $1.03 billion. These funds support scholarships, research, faculty development, and other donor-specified initiatives.
In 2022, Fitch Ratings, Moody’s, and S&P Global awarded FSU the highest credit rating among Florida universities. Moody’s assigned an Aa1 and Aa2 debt rating, while S&P Global gave the university an AA+ rating. On February 14, 2022, Fitch affirmed FSU’s Issuer Default Rating at AA+ with a stable outlook, citing the university’s strong financial position, statewide and national student appeal, and robust fundraising capabilities.