One respondent spoke about students ’ race and enrollment. Another criticized La breaks.
The search for a novel professor at the University of Florida is on hold after Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed concerns about all of the candidates ’ support for “DEI, ” or diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Miami Herald reports.
“Once brought to the attention of the office, we worked with the University of Florida to halt the search, ” spokesperson for the Republican governor Sierra Dean said in a statement Friday.
“The candidates ’ previous claims related to DEI raised concerns regarding their ability to administer quality higher education under Florida law, ” Dean told the newspaper.
The public school late had narrowed down its search for a dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to four individuals.
Last week, the conservative X account Commies on Campus posted video clips from the prospects ’ public conversations.
“The University of Florida @UF is hiring a new dean for its College of Liberal Arts, where 25 % OF ALL UF STUDENTS are enrolled, ” it wrote. “4 Winners. ALL extreme DEI democrats. ”
The content caught the governor’s interest, Inside Higher Ed information:
In reply, Bryan Griffin, DeSantis’s communications director, posted on X, “Thanks for flagging this ” and said that UF authority was “cooperative” and had “committed to holding off ” on the use. …
UF time leader Kent Fuchs sent an internal note that same day confirming the establishment had terminated the search, saying it was “inadvisable to appoint a new professor without the full cooperation of the next president of the university. ” The academy plans to resume the research process when a new leader is in location, he said.
In one picture picture posted by the consideration, applicant Kevin Knudson talked about enrollment and students ’ cultural identities when he ran the university’s Honors Program.
Knudson, now an associate professor at UF, said: “…we changed enrollment. We were able to increase the number of African American and Hispanic students in the system and it cost everything. ”
Another contender for the placement criticized state and federal officials ’ breaks to DEI applications, the Miami Herald reviews:
One contender, Northern Illinois University’s liberal arts professor Robert Brinkmann, was critical of the Trump administration ’s national study funding cuts and policy banning variety initiatives.
“It’s certainly a difficult day, and I’m sad that our nation is in this place where this is happening right now for our students, ” Brinkmann said in the tape. “Part of the reason why I’m engaged in this job is, personally, I feel called to help a little bit as an away, older gay person to be here for individuals at a time of crisis. ” …
The halted research marks a major expansion of DeSantis ’ hold over Florida’s people universities, reaching beyond his classic role in selecting college presidents and governors to include dean-level workers. It raises the question if future dean searches ( UF currently has four interim deans ) will face the same scrutiny.
At the same time, express politicians may be moving to rein in the governor’s control. Just last week, the Florida House overwhelmingly approved a bill that would reduce the governor’s part in school management, including a clause barring him and people of his presidency from discussing employment vacancies. The policy is still awaiting a Senate voting.
DeSantis has supported a number of higher education changes in recent years, including a 2023 rules to defund school DEI plans, The College Fix formerly reported. The law also prohibits mandatory DEI statements in hiring and admissions.
Another law that DeSantis signed requires universities to host debate panels about major public policy disputes with conservative and progressive speakers.
MORE: Ohio faculty union advances ballot referendum to restore DEI in higher ed
IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: A sign displays the name of the University of Florida. Katherine Welles/Shutterstock
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