Students and professors at New College of Florida in Sarasota are reporting chaos and anxiety as the fall semester begins, following what critics describe as a conservative takeover of the institution. Nearly 40% of faculty members have resigned, leading to a reduction in course options and challenges for students to complete their areas of study. The new board of trustees, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, has abolished diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and aims to transform the college into a "classical college." Students are also facing housing issues, with some being housed in hotels due to air quality concerns in the dorms. Despite the challenges, students are determined to preserve the unique student culture at the school.
Students and professors at New College of Florida in Sarasota are reporting chaos and anxiety as the fall semester begins. Nearly 40% of faculty members have resigned, leading to a reduction in course options and challenges for students. The college's Board of Trustees, which underwent a conservative takeover earlier this year, has abolished diversity programs and is in the process of eliminating the gender studies program. Students are also facing housing issues due to air quality concerns. Despite the challenges, students are determined to preserve the unique student culture and are hopeful for future protests.
Former Trump adviser Dr. Scott Atlas was met with boos and jeers during his keynote speech at the New College of Florida's graduation ceremony, which comes amid a conservative takeover of the liberal arts college. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis replaced nearly half of the college's board of trustees with conservative allies, leading to the abolition of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. In protest, students held an alternate commencement ceremony where they heard remarks from Maya Wiley, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
A conservative takeover of a Colorado school board has led to nearly 40% of high school staff quitting, with neighboring districts reporting Woodland Park students transferring schools. The district has implemented a fringe social studies curriculum, given away part of the public middle school to a charter school, and hired a superintendent who was recently recalled from a nearby district. At least two staffers who voiced objections were ousted from their jobs, and the district indicated that it would not apply for grants that pay the salaries of counseling staff and social workers.
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 administrative changes and 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.
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.
