DeSantis-backed board denies tenure to 5 New College professors.

The New College of Florida board, now dominated by conservatives appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, voted to deny tenure to five professors, despite concerns by faculty and students that the decision poses a threat to academic freedom. The school's interim president, DeSantis ally and former state House Speaker Richard Corcoran, said he wanted the professors' tenure denied or delayed in part because of the administrative changes and because of “a renewed focus on ensuring the college is moving towards a more traditional liberal arts institution.” The conservative takeover has gained national attention, prompting a visit in April by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California in which he sharply criticized DeSantis and the changes underway at New College.