A report on creative approaches to educational funding for the Florida University System is presented by the Study Commission on Funding for Excellence. The focus is public finance, management efficiency, and private funding and marketing. Recommendations are offered on: faculty and support staff salaries, public-private partnership, matching endowment programs, public-private facilities efforts, voluntary support, joint-use facilities, cooperative education programs, student fees, academic and administrative effectiveness, cost-effective funding incentives, training and personnel development, university development, and marketing. Appended are data on: total general revenue funds and operating appropriations for the State University System, 1970-1984; enrollments; general revenue appropriations for specific state departments; the percentage of faculty by rank for specific campuses; and number of Eminent Scholars Grants by campus. An approach to simplifying the process of establishing an upper quartile salary goal for faculty is described. Information is also provided on the program review process and on a proposal to improve management effectiveness of the state institutions. (SW)