6C1-1.300. University of Florida; Direct Support Organizations

(1) The President of the University may recommend to the Board of Trustees that an organization meeting the requirements of Section 1004.28(1)(a), F.S., be designated a University of Florida Direct Support Organization (“DSO”). Upon approval by the Board of Trustees, a DSO shall be considered to be certified and authorized to use the property, facilities and personal services of the University.

(2) In order to be considered for certification as a DSO, an organization must fulfill the requirements of Section 1004.28(1)(a), F.S., and must have Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that together:

(a) Provide that any person employed by the organization shall not be considered to be an employee of the University of Florida Board of Trustees by virtue of employment by the DSO.

(b) Provide that the chief executive officer or director of the DSO shall be selected and appointed by the governing board of the DSO, with prior approval of the President of the University, and that the chief executive officer or director shall report to the President or a designee reporting directly to the President.

(c) Provide that any amendments to the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws be subject to the approval of the University Board of Trustees.

(d) Provide that the President of the University shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Monitor and control the use of University resources by the organization.

2. Control the use of the University name by the DSO.

3. Monitor compliance of the organization with federal and state laws.

4. Approve contributions of funds or supplements to support intercollegiate athletics.

(e) Provide that the organization shall provide equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age or national origin.

(f) Prohibit the giving, directly or indirectly, of any gift to a political committee or committee of continuous existence as defined in Section 106.011, F.S., for any purpose other than those certified by a majority roll call vote of the organization’s governing board at a regularly scheduled meeting as being directly related to the educational mission of the University.

(3) The Chair of the University of Florida Board of Trustees may appoint a representative to the governing body and the executive committee of each DSO. In addition, the President of the University or a designee shall also serve on the governing body and executive committee of each DSO.

(4) Each DSO shall submit an annual budget which has been approved by its governing board to the President of the University or the President’s designee for review. Such proposed budget shall be submitted no later than sixty (60) days after the first day of the fiscal year to which the proposed budget pertains. The President or designee shall report results of review to the Board of Trustees.

(5) Significant changes in projects funded, expenditures, or income projected in the annual budget must be reported to the President. Planned actions which would cause a commitment of University resources or which represent a significant commitment of the resources of the DSO should be reported by the first date of the fiscal quarter in which they are to occur.

(6) Each DSO shall cause a financial audit of its accounts and records to be conducted by an independent certified public accountant after the close of each fiscal year. The audit report shall be submitted by the President of the University to the Board of Trustees no later than the end of the sixth month following the close of the organization’s fiscal year.

(a) Audits shall be conducted pursuant to Section 1004.28(5), F.S., and in accordance with rules adopted by the Auditor General pursuant to Section 11.45(8), F.S., and University of Florida rules.

(b) The President of the University shall submit the annual audit report to the Auditor General and to the Florida Board of Governors no later than nine (9) months after the close of the organization’s fiscal year.

(7) The President of the University may recommend to the Board of Trustees that an organization be decertified as a DSO if the President determines that the organization is no longer serving the best interest of the University. The recommendation for decertification shall include a plan for disposition of the organization’s assets and liabilities.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.74(4), 1004.28(2) FS. Law Implemented 1001.74(37), 1004.28 FS. History–New 1-7-03, Amended 6-3-03.