Governor Scott approves budget funding for expansion of Kirkpatrick Center

June 5, 2014

Florida Governor Rick Scott approved a $77 billion budget Monday, including an $8.1 million appropriation to expand Santa Fe College's Kirkpatrick Center, home to SF's Institute of Public Safety (IPS).

"This important project will assist in meeting our area's emergency and public safety needs," said SF President Dr. Jackson Sasser in an email to employees Monday.

In recent semesters, SF had to limit enrolment in IPS programs due to lack of space. The expansion will allow greater access to the public safety programs vital to our area.

"We are grateful for the Governor's support and that of the Florida House and Senate," Sasser said in the email. "I also appreciate the diligent work of our trustees, staff and other supporters in conveying this critical need."

Over the last 10 years, students in SF's basic law enforcement courses have achieved an average 99.4 percent passing rate on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Officer Certification exam. This shows the level of success potential students are likely to achieve.

The Kirkpatrick center is also home to the newly created Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management with a public safety concentration, established by SF in response to Scott's $10,000 degree challenge.

The picture below shows an artists rendition of a possible two-story elevation.