The system was created in Article IX, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution to support education, research, and public service for the people of Florida and their communities . Prior to 1905, Florida's state institutions were governed by a Board of Education and even earlier variations thereof, reaching back to the
Florida Constitution of 1838 wherein higher education and normal education was established, based on grants of land from the
U.S. Congress. From 1905 to 1965, the few universities in the system were governed by the
Florida Board of Control. The Board of Control was replaced by the
Florida Board of Regents in 1965, to accommodate the growing university system. The Board of Regents governed until it was disbanded by the
Florida Legislature in 2001, and its authority was divided between the
Florida Board of Education (which was given some authority over all levels of public education in the state), and appointed university boards of trustees, which operated independently for each separate institution. In 2002, Floridians led by U.S. senator
Bob Graham passed an amendment to the
Florida Constitution establishing a new statewide
governing body, the
Florida Board of Governors. ==Universities within the system==