Big changes could be on the horizon for students at the University of Florida
     State lawmakers could soon require students to take more general studies courses.  They are pushing a plan that could change how long it takes students to graduate--and which courses they have to take--to get a diploma.
     The Florida House on Friday passed a bill that would allow UF and Florida State University to require extra classes for incoming freshmen, even if the student has college credit earned from advanced placement courses.
     And the cost of those classes may soon rise again.
     That same bill would give UF and FSU  the authority to raise tuition much higher than the current 15% a year cap.  Rep. Eric Fresen (R-Miami), the sponsor of the bill, said allowing the two universities to raise the tuition price to market levels will make them more competitive.
     "If we are not trying to create a university system that's going to elevate to excellence our economic development in the state is going to be dwarfed and we will be losing the battle on competition," said Fresen.
     The bill was approved 85-28.  The only lawmaker representing part of North Central Florida to vote against it was District 10 Democrat Leonard Bembry.  It still has to be approved by the Senate.  If it is, then it goes to Gov. Rick Scott, who told lawmakers at the start of session he didn't want any tuition increases.