Guest Author
The proposed controversial handoff of The Ringling Museum from Florida State University (FSU) to New College of Florida (NCF), the smallest public college in the state, poses a major threat to one of Florida’s most treasured historic cultural institutions.
This move would be tragically expensive, resulting in increased financial burdens for taxpayers without clear benefits.
Under FSU’s stewardship since 2000, The Ringling has flourished, attracting over 400,000 visitors annually and earning recognition as one of the nation’s top six museums in visitor satisfaction.
FSU has ensured fiscal stability, surpluses and reduced state funding requirements each year. In stark contrast, NCF has exhibited alarming financial mismanagement and governance issues. Allegations include misallocated taxpayer funds, substandard degree programs, artificially inflated enrollment numbers, and disproportionate funding per full-time equivalent student (FTES).
For instance, NCF reportedly spends $106,813 per FTES in funding and $78,174 per FTES in instructional costs. These figures — many times the state average — highlight inefficiencies and raise legitimate concerns over its ability to manage its own challenges, let alone a complex institution like The Ringling.
NCF’s governance changes have alienated alumni and diminished trust in the institution.
Benjamin Brown, Chair of the Alumni Association, recently resigned due to opaque financial reporting, concerns over the misallocation of endowment funds, and a lack of meaningful alumni participation in governance.
President Richard Corcoran’s leadership has also faced scrutiny for redirecting taxpayer funds toward athletics and recruiting international athletes at high costs. The proposed transfer jeopardizes The Ringling’s accreditation, operational stability, independence, and the integrity of its priceless collections and campus.
Since the proposal became public in February, donations and community commitment have plummeted significantly.
Experts estimate it could take at least a decade to rebuild donor trust — assuming assurances are made that such a takeover attempt will not recur.
FSU has transformed The Ringling from a distressed property into an internationally recognized cultural destination. Its robust infrastructure and expertise have allowed the museum to thrive while requiring less state funding annually.
Conversely, NCF lacks the financial stability and administrative capacity necessary to manage The Ringling effectively. Additionally, its strained relationship with the community further undermines its suitability as a steward for the museum.
This ill-conceived, backroom proposal risks undermining The Ringling’s community-serving focus — a quality severely lacking at NCF — and threatens its operational success achieved under FSU’s stewardship.
Transferring management to NCF would be costly and jeopardize one of Florida’s most cherished cultural institutions while placing it under an entity plagued by financial instability and governance issues.
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Nancy Parrish is the president of Citizens to Protect The Ringling and former Board Chair of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Foundation.
One comment
Bruce Benidt
April 15, 2025 at 10:03 am
As someone who has watched and fought against the expensive destruction of my alma mater, New College, I applaud the Sarasota community’s resistance to throwing another cultural treasure into the mess President Corcoran and Governor DeSantis have made of New College. They have clearly demonstrated they don’t care about taxpayers, students, their parents, alumni, Sarasota or the economic future of Florida. They care only for their careers. That’s one reason we fled Florida a year ago after living in Port Richey for 13 years.