Florida State University's
Long Standing Corrupt Relationship with the Charles Koch Foundation and BB&T
(Select) Media on Koch at FSU
State of the University Series: Funding, Oct 8 2016, FSU News
[I]n the past few years, President Thrasher and Florida State have faced scrutiny from students and speculation from the media regarding funds and donations. In January of 2015, President Thrasher abruptly canceled a meeting with the Progress Coalition—a group of students who regarded the large sums of funding money from the Koch Brothers as ‘jeopardizing the university’s academic integrity.’
Thrasher has, however, responded to critics since his arrival on campus about the influence of the Koch brothers on Florida State faculty and curriculum:
“Anyone who would suggest that (the Koch Brothers) would be allowed to pick the faculty or pick which kind of programs are offered—we would not accept that kind of gift. There is nothing to the Koch grant contract that allows them to do anything like that.”
Koch Foundation provides over $800,000 to FSU, June 29 2016, FSUNews
Op Ed: FSU Koch gift must have strings attached, June 26 2016, Tallahassee Democrat
New [Koch] Funding Supports Postdoc Fellowships, Research and Outreach, June 21 2016, FSU News
United Faculty of Florida does not support Koch grant, June 18 2016, Tallahassee Democrat
Koch Criminal Justice Reform Trojan Horse: Special Report on Reentry and Following the Money, June 16 2016, PRWatch
Charles Koch Foundation provides more than $800,000 in research grants to FSU, June 15 2016, Tallahassee Democrat
Charles Koch's Disturbing High School Economics Project Teaches 'Sacrificing Lives for Profits', May 9 2016, Alternet
Provost candidate has ties to Koch interests, Nov 17 2015, Tallahassee Democrat
FSU students debate value of Koch donations, Nov 5 2015, Tallahassee Democrat
University responds to Progress Coalition report, June 6 2015, FSU News
Progress Coalition report uncovers alleged violation of university donor policy, June 4 2015, FSU News
[Admin Op Ed] Koch contract portrayed inaccurately, Feb 25 2015, Tallahassee Democrat
Koch contract raises serious issues for FSU, Feb 23 2015, Tallahassee Democrat
FSU Progress Coalition to Protest Thrasher Speaking Event Tomorrow, Feb 10 2015, WTXL
LTE: Economics Department likely to be influenced by Koch donation, Jan 22 2015, Tallahassee Democrat
Reply to John Thrasher on Koch agreements and Transparency at FSU, Jan 21 2016, FSU Progress Coalition Blog
Thrasher: Academic freedom not restricted by donors, Jan 16 2016, Tallahassee Democrat
An MOU Relating to a Grant from the Koch Foundation, Jan 1 2015, AAUP Academe Blog
UFF-FSU Statement Regarding Donor Agreements, Jan 15 2015, United Faculty of Florida FSU
Thrasher nixes meeting with students on Koch funding, Jan 11 2015, Tallahassee Democrat
[Student Op Ed] Koch-funded positions raise serious concerns, Jan 10 2016, Tallahassee Democrat
How FSU Sold Its Soul for $1.5 Million, Jan 9 2015, Gainseville Scene
James Carville: FSU stands for ‘For Sale University’, Nov 18 2014, The Hill
BOG approves Thrasher, protests continue, Nov 12 2014, FSView
On first day in office, new FSU president hears student demands, Nov 11 2014, USA Today College
Students protest selection of Thrasher as FSU president, Nov 6 2014, WTSP
Thrasher confirmed as new presidents of FSU, Nov 6 2014, Florida Times-Union
UnKoch My Campus National Day of Action Around FSU Presidential Search, Nov 4 2014, Inside Higher Ed
FSU Students ask Board of Governors to reject Thrasher's appointment, Nov 3 2014, Tampa Bay Times
FSU student group to protest Thrasher presidency, Nov 3 2014, Miami Herald
Florida State U. Board Picks Politician as President Despite Widespread Protest, Sept 24 2014, Chronicle of Higher Education
John Thrasher named new president of FSU, Sept 23 2014, News4Jax
Koch Brothers, ALEC Threaten Campus Democracy at FSU, US Universities, Sept 19 2014, Popular Resistance
Politifact: Thrasher says he has 'never received any contributions from the Koch brothers' - MOSTLY FALSE, Nov 19 2014, PolitiFact Florida
John Thrasher Hears Student Demands as He Takes the Helm at FSU, Nov 10 2016, News Service of Florida
Thrasher's first day at FSU begins with tense student meeting, Nov 10 2014, Florida Times-Union
Koch Network Poised To Control FSU, Sept 1 2014, Crooks & Liars
FSU foes point to John Thrasher's ties to Koch brothers, Sept 19 2014, Tampa Bay Times
How a Koch foundation influenced a university economics department, Sept 12 2016, Washington Post
Koch brothers sought say in academic hiring in return for university donation, Sept 12 2014, The Guardian
Koch foundation proposal to college: Teach our curriculum, get millions, Sept 12 2014, Center for Public Integrity
Koch brothers influence on FSU sets risky precedent, Aug 28 2016, Florida Independent Alligator
My View: Free FSU search from corporate influence, Aug 27 2014, Tallahassee Democrat
FSU trustees insist on at least three president finalists, June 28 2014
Koch Foundation Criticized Again For Influencing Florida State, May 23 2014, NPR
Thrasher To Interview For FSU Presidency Over Objections By Faculty, Students, May 21 2014, WFSU
[Faculty Op Ed] FSU learns from Koch association, May 15 2014, Tallahassee Democrat
FSU Students Discover New Senate Bill Meant To Keep Koch Infiltration… Behind Closed Doors, Apr 24 2014, Daily Kos
Column: Some fear Charles Koch's influence damages FSU's integrity, Apr 19 2014, Tampa Bay Times
Is Charles Koch Funding Climate Science Denial in Florida State University Economics? Apr 9 2014, Greenpeace Blog
‘The University is For Sale’: Koch Brothers Target Higher Education, Apr 6 2014, National Education Association's NEA Today
My View: Don't let Koch hurt academic integrity, Apr 4 2014, Tallahassee Democrat