A 1977 review is presented of Florida's State University System, which was conducted by the Commission on the Future of Florida's Public Universities--a blue ribbon commission. The current status of the system and some indications of the importance of high quality universities to Florida's future are considered, and recommendations for improving Florida's public universities are offered. Topics include the following: evolution of the Florida State University System, geographical distribution of programs, academic programs, research and service programs, quality of programs, library resources, reputation of faculty, ratio of students to teaching faculty, size of university endowments and amount of voluntary support, ability to attract external research and development funds, ability to attract good students, evaluation of program quality, and financial support. Florida's tax base and tax potential, economic development in Florida, the ability to attract federal funding and talented students in the future, and the ability of the state to resolve major problems through research and service are also discussed. It is concluded that the success of Florida's public universities in the 1980's requires an emphasis on quality. High-priority recommendations concern the following: increasing the number of scholastically gifted students; funding programs in selected academic disciplines to develop programs of national distinction; upgrading faculty salaries with special emphasis on merit increases and an improved fringe benefit policy; intensifying basic and applied research conducted within the state university system so that it is accessible to other sectors of society; and providing service to adult learners. (SW)