The University of Florida is terminating all staff in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) roles and administrative positions, as stated in a memo sent on Friday.
“To comply with the Florida Board of Governors’ regulation 9.016 on prohibited expenditures, the University of Florida has closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, eliminated DEI positions and administrative appointments, and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors,” as per the memo.
“Under the direction of UF Human Resources, university employees whose positions were eliminated will receive UF’s standard twelve weeks of pay. These colleagues are allowed and encouraged to apply, between now and Friday, April 19, for expedited consideration for different positions currently posted with the university. UF HR will work to fast-track the interview process and provide an answer on all applications within the twelve-week window.”
The Independent Florida Alligator, a university newspaper, reported that 13 full-time positions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion were terminated, along with the elimination of 15 administrative appointments.
On X, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated, “Florida is where DEI goes to die.” DeSantis has made stopping DEI a pillar of his plans to reform the state’s educational system.
“DEI is toxic and has no place in our public universities. I’m glad that Florida was the first state to eliminate DEI and I hope more states follow suit,” DeSantis further continued.
DEI are defined as “any program, campus activity, or policy that classifies individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation and promotes differential or preferential treatment of individuals on the basis of such classification.” The Florida Board of Governors passed the regulation restricting public funding for DEI in January.
Supporters of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) on campus assert that these initiatives are essential for rectifying systemic inequalities and catering to the growing diversity among student populations. On the contrary, critics such as DeSantis argue that DEI measures amount to leftist discrimination.
Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist, expressed his approval of the decision, stating on X, “The conservative counter-revolution has begun.”
“Higher education must return to its essential foundations of academic integrity and the pursuit of knowledge instead of being corrupted by destructive ideologies,” Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. stated last month. “These actions today ensure that we will not spend taxpayers’ money supporting DEI and radical indoctrination that promotes division in our society.”
The University of Florida memorandum stated that the Office of the Chief Financial Officer intends to redirect around $5 million, initially allocated for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) expenses in Tallahassee, to a fund for faculty recruitment. The memo concluded with a bold statement.
“Finally, the University of Florida is – and will always be – unwavering in our commitment to universal human dignity. As we educate students by thoughtfully engaging a wide range of ideas and views, we will continue to foster a community of trust and respect for every member of the Gator Nation. The University of Florida is an elite institution because of our incredible faculty who are committed to teaching, discovering, and serving,” According to the memo.
Ben Sasse, a Republican senator from Nebraska, assumed the role of president of the University of Florida last year. With about 61,000 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, it’s one of the biggest colleges in the country.
