DeSantis Administration Intervenes in University of Florida’s Search for Liberal Arts Dean

Introduction to the Controversy

The DeSantis administration ordered the University of Florida to suspend its search for a new dean for its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences this week, one day after a conservative social media account accused the university of selecting finalists who oppose the governor’s education agenda. This move has sparked controversy and raised questions about the extent of the governor’s influence over the state’s public universities.

Background on the Suspension

Bryan Griffin, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ communications director, announced Thursday on X that UF leadership was “cooperative” and had “committed to holding off” on the hire. Griffin’s post quoted the viral thread that appears to have triggered the intervention — published by the anonymous right-wing account CommiesOnCampus, which labeled the finalists “radical DEI progressives.” Griffin responded: “Thanks for flagging this.”

University Response

The same day, UF interim President Kent Fuchs sent an internal memo saying the search was being called off because it was “inadvisable to appoint a new dean without the full participation of the next president of the university.” Per the memo, the university plans to restart the search process once a new president is in place. Fuchs, reached through a university spokesperson, didn’t respond for comment.

DeSantis Administration’s Involvement

DeSantis spokesperson Sierra Dean confirmed on Friday that the governor’s office had intervened. “Once brought to the attention of the office, we worked with the University of Florida to halt the search,” Dean said in a statement. “The candidates’ previous statements related to DEI raised concerns regarding their ability to administer quality higher education under Florida law.”

Expansion of Governor’s Influence

The halted search marks a significant expansion of DeSantis’ hold over Florida’s public universities, reaching beyond his traditional role in selecting university presidents and trustees to include dean-level hires. It raises the question if future dean searches (UF currently has four interim deans) will face the same scrutiny.

Legislative Response

At the same time, state lawmakers may be moving to rein in the governor’s influence. Just last week, the Florida House overwhelmingly approved a bill that would limit the governor’s role in university governance, including a provision barring him and members of his administration from discussing job vacancies. The legislation is still awaiting a Senate vote.

Context of Political Tension

UF is already navigating the politically charged search for a new president. Ben Sasse, the former Republican U.S. Senator from Nebraska, stepped down from the university’s top post in July amid family health issues and a reported falling out with Mori Hosseini, the chairman of UF’s board of trustees and a close DeSantis ally. DeSantis has said he wasn’t “involved necessarily” in Sasse’s selection and promised to leave the appointment of his successor to UF trustees.

History of Tension Between DeSantis and Universities

The suspension of the search for the liberal arts college’s dean also follows years of political tension between the DeSantis administration and Florida’s higher education institutions. DeSantis has implemented sweeping reforms banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, restricting how race and gender can be taught and giving state-appointed boards greater power over academic affairs. Critics say the changes amount to ideological censorship and are undermining academic freedom.

Impact on the University of Florida

UF has been a focal point of those battles — particularly its liberal arts college. Since 2022, humanities professors at the college have been locked in a feud with UF’s Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education, a GOP-backed institute that critics view as part of a top-down conservative overhaul of curriculum. Tensions flared last spring, culminating in the resignation of then-liberal arts dean David Richardson in May, leaving the college under interim leadership ever since.

The Finalists and the Controversy

The four finalists in the now-suspended search for a permanent liberal arts dean had participated in recorded public interviews, where some voiced concerns about recent legislative actions and the impact on faculty morale. The CommiesOnCampus post featured selectively edited clips of those interviews and accused the candidates of pushing progressive agendas. The account, which has increasingly targeted Florida academics, describes itself as dedicated to “exposing communism in America.”

Statements from Finalists

One finalist, Northern Illinois University’s liberal arts dean Robert Brinkmann, was critical of the Trump administration’s federal research funding cuts and legislation banning diversity initiatives. “It’s definitely a difficult time, and I’m sorry that our country is in this space where this is happening right now for our students,” Brinkmann said in the clip. “Part of the reason why I’m interested in this job is, personally, I feel called to help a little bit as an out, older gay man to be here for people at a time of crisis.”

Conclusion

The intervention by the DeSantis administration in the University of Florida’s search for a liberal arts dean highlights the ongoing tension between the governor’s office and the state’s public universities. As the state legislature considers bills to limit the governor’s influence over university governance, the future of academic freedom and the role of politics in higher education in Florida remains uncertain.

FAQs

1. What prompted the DeSantis administration to intervene in the University of Florida’s search for a liberal arts dean?

   • The intervention was prompted by a conservative social media account accusing the university of selecting finalists who oppose the governor’s education agenda.

2. What did the University of Florida decide to do after the intervention?

   • The university decided to suspend its search for a new dean for its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

3. How does this event reflect the broader political landscape in Florida regarding education?

   • It reflects the ongoing tension between the DeSantis administration and Florida’s higher education institutions over issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and the teaching of race and gender.

4. What is the potential impact on future dean searches at the University of Florida?

   • The event raises questions about whether future dean searches will face similar scrutiny from the governor’s office.
5. How are state lawmakers responding to the governor’s influence over universities?
   • State lawmakers are considering legislation to limit the governor’s role in university governance, including discussing job vacancies.