Trustees approve Rays stadium relocation plan

Hillsborough College trustees voted Wednesday to approve the relocation of campus assets to make way for the Tampa Bay Rays stadium construction on the Dale Mabry campus in Tampa. The decision clears the path for administrators to begin moving operations, even though the measure does not yet authorize demolition of existing structures.

The vote followed a meeting where students and faculty voiced strong opposition to the logistics of the move. Many attendees argued that the current plan to split the student body across two distant locations would disrupt academic continuity and isolate students from campus life.

Sophomore Justin Yearwood, the Student Government Association's chief of staff, told the board that students remain uncertain about how the transition will work. He noted that while officials suggest a move in March, details on class schedules and transportation routes are missing.

"We don't know what routes the buses would be on. We don't know if they're stopping between each of the buildings," Yearwood said. He also criticized administrators for providing repetitive information rather than answering specific questions about the relocation process.

The college has revised its original plan to house students in a temporary facility on campus called the Nest. Instead, five healthcare programs will move to a University of South Florida center in downtown Tampa. All other classes will relocate to the Tampa Bay Park office complex, which sits about 1.5 miles from the current Dale Mabry campus.

President Ken Atwater said the changes were made after hearing concerns about the initial temporary housing solution. He acknowledged that the split would create inconvenience for students but argued that the new locations offer better learning environments in permanent buildings.

"There will be some inconvenience for our students," Atwater said. "We know this, and we've never denied this, but you've got to look at the long-term goal."

Faculty members warned that the fragmentation could impact enrollment and student retention. Professor Eric Fisk, a political science instructor, presented survey data from 900 students showing that roughly 30% are considering transferring or leaving school because of the move.

"Some students will endure it, probably most will, and I think that's what y'all are hoping for," Fisk said. He added that if those students leave, the Tampa area will lose thousands of potential college-educated citizens in the coming years.

With the agenda item approved, administrators can now begin the process of relocating campus assets. Officials stated they will return to the board with an inventory of disposed items once the physical move is underway.