State University System Board Approvals

The state university system’s Board of Governors has approved three new presidents, all of whom are allies of Governor Ron DeSantis. This move is part of DeSantis’ efforts to remake higher education in Florida.

Controversial New Leaders

The board’s confirmations have cemented decisions by university boards of trustees to hire former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez as president of Florida International University, Marva Johnson as president of Florida A&M University, and Education Commissioner Manny Díaz Jr. as interim president of the University of West Florida. The appointments have been met with widespread opposition from alumni, students, and faculty members.

Opposition to Johnson’s Selection

Johnson’s selection as president of Florida A&M University, the state’s only historically Black public university, was particularly contentious. The university’s trustees voted 8-4 to choose Johnson, a Charter Communications executive and former chairwoman of the State Board of Education, over three other finalists. Members of the audience booed when her nomination was introduced, and students urged the board to reject her selection. "As students, as primary stakeholders … we are very concerned about the future of our university," FAMU student Devin Nobles Jr. said. "The candidate does not meet the qualifications as set for us by our own presidential search committee."

Compensation Packages

The board approved a compensation package for Johnson that includes a base salary of $650,000 a year, as well as annual performance bonuses of $86,000 and "retention" payments of $150,000 in August 2028 and August 2030 if she remains president. The board also approved a compensation package for Díaz that includes an annual salary of $643,000, nearly double his current salary, as well as a $60,000 housing allowance and up to $24,000 in relocation expenses. Nuñez’s appointment as president of FIU comes with a five-year contract and a base salary of $925,000, with annual performance bonuses of up to $400,000.

Leadership Changes and Conservative Ideology

The leadership changes approved by the board further bring into focus efforts by DeSantis and other Republicans to push higher education into closer alignment with conservative ideology. Richard Corcoran, a former Republican House speaker and education commissioner closely aligned with DeSantis, took over as president of New College of Florida in 2023 and is shepherding a shift to the right at the liberal-arts school. Florida Atlantic University trustees selected former House Majority Leader Adam Hasner as president in February.

Expert Insights

George Mason University professor Judith Wilde, an expert in university presidential searches and compensation, noted that while the hiring of ideologically aligned leaders isn’t unique, "most other states haven’t gone as far towards the political patronage side as Florida has." Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, said that DeSantis and education leaders in Texas are offering blueprints for other conservatives to "engage in the politicization of higher education and erode academic freedom."

Conclusion

The state university system’s Board of Governors has approved three new presidents, all of whom are allies of Governor Ron DeSantis. The appointments have been met with widespread opposition from alumni, students, and faculty members, and have raised concerns about the politicization of higher education and the erosion of academic freedom.

FAQs

• Q: Who are the three new presidents approved by the state university system’s Board of Governors?
  A: The three new presidents are Jeanette Nuñez, Marva Johnson, and Manny Díaz Jr.
• Q: What are the compensation packages for the new presidents?
  A: Johnson’s compensation package includes a base salary of $650,000 a year, as well as annual performance bonuses of $86,000 and "retention" payments of $150,000. Díaz’s compensation package includes an annual salary of $643,000, nearly double his current salary, as well as a $60,000 housing allowance and up to $24,000 in relocation expenses. Nuñez’s appointment as president of FIU comes with a five-year contract and a base salary of $925,000, with annual performance bonuses of up to $400,000.
• Q: What are the concerns surrounding the appointments of the new presidents?
  A: The appointments have raised concerns about the politicization of higher education and the erosion of academic freedom, as well as the qualifications and experience of the new presidents.
• Q: What is the significance of the leadership changes approved by the board?
  A: The leadership changes further bring into focus efforts by DeSantis and other Republicans to push higher education into closer alignment with conservative ideology.