Introduction to the Crisis
After Florida’s Board of Governors voted down Santa Ono as president of the state’s flagship university Tuesday, even members of the board seemed shocked by what they’d just done.
“The motion fails,” said board chair Brian Lamb, his tone registering disbelief after the votes were tallied. “First time that’s really happened.”
The board’s rejection of Ono — unanimously approved just a week earlier by the University of Florida’s Board of Trustees — was so unexpected that the university had not prepared a contingency statement.
Concerns Over Ono’s Record
Those who voted against Ono pointed to what they described as substantive concerns to his record and responses during a tense, hours-long interview. Board members cited his reversal on diversity and climate change initiatives, and his delayed response to antisemitism during his tenures at University of Michigan and University of British Columbia.
To outside observers, the schism between the two boards, both composed largely of Gov. Ron DeSantis appointees, marks a new phase in the political transformation of Florida’s higher education system — one where ideological litmus tests are increasingly defining who can lead the state’s public schools.
Impact on Future Leadership
After witnessing what happened to Ono, “I’d be shocked if any traditional academic would want to try it at this point,” said Holden Thorp, former chancellor of the University of North Carolina.
Board of Trustees Chairperson Mori Hosseini did not immediately respond to messages about the board’s decision. A UF spokesperson said the university was still working on a statement about its next steps.
Conservative activist Christopher Rufo, who helped launch the online campaign against Ono, targeted the trustees themselves.
“There needs to be a real shakeup at the University of Florida board of trustees, which voted unanimously in favor of a man who promoted gender pronouns, land acknowledgements, two-spirit insanity, DEI 2.0, critical race theory, and child sex-change procedures,” Rufo posted Tuesday.
Denial of Political Motivations
Board of Governors Vice Chairperson Alan Levine rejected the idea that votes against Ono were driven by political machinations, or that the board would be unwelcoming to better suited candidates from academia.
“Yesterday was not a repudiation of academics,” Levine said. “My opinion was strictly based on my assessment of the candidate.”
But the vote comes amid a clear shift in who’s considered acceptable for presidential leadership. In recent months, figures with close ties to Tallahassee — including former lawmakers Eric Hasner, Manny Diaz and Jeanette Nuñez and former education official Eric Hall — have been tapped to lead state colleges and universities.
Future of University Leadership
Observers say that Ono’s rough treatment by the board could have a chilling effect on the ongoing presidential searches at the University of South Florida and University of West Florida.
“Getting leaders into the presidency that both members of the board and local campuses can agree on is becoming really impossible,” Thorp said. “In the long term that’s not good for anyone.”
What happens next at UF is unclear. As Ono was the sole finalist, there are no other publicly named alternatives to fall back on.
Kent Fuchs, the retired president called back after former Sen. Ben Sasse resigned last year, is under contract as the interim president until July 31. A “mutually agreeable extension” may be possible, according to his contract.
Current State of the University
Absent a new president, five of the school’s 16 academic deans are left as interim placeholders, according to an email from UF journalism professor Hub Brown.
“This action puts us all in uncharted territory,” Brown wrote. “As of this writing, there is no indication of the path forward.”
The uncertainty now facing UF was underscored in the tense moments following Ono’s rejection.
After he was grilled for three hours, after the board issued its historic rebuke, and after Ono slipped quietly out a side door flanked by police, Levine approached UF trustee Patrick Zalupski to offer a conciliatory handshake.
Zalupski refused. Arm stiff at his side, he looked Levine in the eye.
“No,” he said. “You [expletive] up, man.”
Conclusion
The rejection of Santa Ono as president of the University of Florida marks a significant turning point in the state’s higher education system. The controversy surrounding his nomination and the board’s decision has raised questions about the role of ideology in academic leadership and the future of the university. As the university navigates this uncertain period, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved and what implications it will have for the future of higher education in Florida.
FAQs
Q: Who was rejected as president of the University of Florida?
A: Santa Ono was rejected as president of the University of Florida by the Board of Governors.
Q: Why was Ono rejected?
A: The board cited concerns over Ono’s record and responses during an interview, including his reversal on diversity and climate change initiatives and his delayed response to antisemitism.
Q: What is the current state of the university’s leadership?
A: The university is currently without a permanent president, and Kent Fuchs is serving as interim president until July 31.
Q: How will the rejection of Ono affect the university’s future?
A: The rejection of Ono may have a chilling effect on future presidential searches and could impact the university’s ability to attract top talent.
Q: What is the timeline for finding a new president?
A: The timeline for finding a new president is unclear, but the university will need to begin a new search process to find a suitable candidate.
Originally Published: June 4, 2025 at 4:12 PM EDT
