Board of Governors of the State University System.

(1) Pursuant to s. 7(d), Art. IX of the State Constitution, the Board of Governors is established as a body corporate comprised of 17 members as follows: 14 citizen members appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate; the Commissioner of Education; the chair of the advisory council of faculty senates or the equivalent; and the president of the Florida student association or the equivalent. The appointed members shall serve staggered 7-year terms. In order to achieve staggered terms, beginning July 1, 2003, of the initial appointments, 4 members shall serve 2-year terms, 5 members shall serve 3-year terms, and 5 members shall serve 7-year terms.

(2) Members of the Board of Governors shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses as provided in s. 112.061.

(3) The Board of Governors, in exercising its authority under the State Constitution and statutes, shall exercise its authority in a manner that supports, promotes, and enhances an Early Learning-20 education system that provides affordable access to postsecondary educational opportunities for residents of the state to the extent authorized by the State Constitution and state law.