TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Gov. Rick Scott's task force on overhauling state colleges and universities is getting to work.

The seven-member panel held its first meeting Wednesday via conference call.

Scott appointed Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation President Dale Brill to chair his Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform.

The Republican governor has complained that the state's universities don't sufficiently emphasize high-demand degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.

He's also has opposed efforts to increase tuition rates that are among the nation's lowest. University officials say they need to charge more to improve quality.

The Board of Governors, which oversees Florida's 12 public universities, has appointed its own study panels to examine various aspects of the State University System.

Brill said Scott's panel will try to avoid duplicating those efforts.