A statement issued on March 1st by the University of Florida has confirmed the elimination of all DEI-related positions on the campus. The University of Florida was forced into compliance by recently passed regulations banning DEI positions and administrative appointments in Florida’s public universities.
This latest move comes in the midst of a movement to “Stop Woke” being pushed by Republicans and spearheaded by Florida Governor Ron Desantis.
University of Florida Statement
In the statement released Friday, the University of Florida announced the closure of the DEI office and other DEI positions, citing new state rules.
“To comply with the Florida Board of Governor’s regulation 9.016 on prohibited expenditures, the University of Florida has closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, eliminated DEI positions and administrative appointments, and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors,” the statement said. (Via University of Florida)
Compensation for Eliminated Staff
These staff members will likely be troubled by the sudden dismissal, which could cause financial distress. To quell concerns, the University of Florida also announced compensation for those who were affected by the suddenly eliminated positions.
“Under the direction of UF Human Resources, university employees whose positions were eliminated will receive UF’s standard twelve weeks of pay,” the statement said.
Expedited Interview Process
While these staff members’ positions are being eliminated, the University of Florida is still offering a way for them to receive priority consideration for different open positions on campus.
The memo from the University of Florida reads, “These colleagues are allowed and encouraged to apply, between now and Friday, April 19, for expedited consideration for different positions currently posted with the university. UF HR will work to fast-track the interview process and provide an answer on all applications within the twelve-week window.”
Additional Funds Allocated
An additional move the University of Florida decided to make is to provide money to a fund meant to help recruit these faculty members.
“Additionally, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer will reallocate the approximately $5 million in funds — previously reported to Tallahassee for DEI expenses, including salaries and expenditures — into a faculty recruitment fund to be administered by the Office of the Provost,” said the university memo.
Prohibited Expenditures
According to ABC News, the Florida Board of Governors recently passed regulations that prohibited funds from the state being used for DEI initiatives. The 17-member board passed these new state rules in January with a 15-2 vote.
The scope of prohibited activities includes any campus activities or programs which “advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion as defined in this regulation; or promote or engage in political or social activism as defined in this regulation.” (via State University System of Florida)
Florida Board of Education Regulations
The Florida Board of Governors’ regulations were joined by similar regulations by the Florida Board of Education. These regulations attempted to limit the use of public funds for DEI programs or activities at public colleges.
Under the rules of the Florida Board of Education, any Florida college institutions must take action on any programs, classes, or clubs that meet the state’s DEI definition.
What is DEI?
Florida’s definition of DEI comes from The Florida Board of Education. It’s defined as “any program, campus activity, or policy that classifies individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation and promotes differential or preferential treatment of individuals on the basis of such classification,” according to CBS.
Florida has 28 state colleges that can now no longer use federal or state funds to promote, support, or maintain DEI-related programs.
What’s the Problem with DEI?
DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. While it purports to be a movement or ideology focused on fighting discrimination in society, opponents of DEI say that the way it goes about it accomplishes the opposite effect because it teaches harmful things about groups seen as privileged in society.
State Board of Education Chairman Ben Gibson said in January that “DEI really is a cover for discrimination, exclusion, and indoctrination. That has no place in our state colleges at all, and our state colleges need to be focused on learning.” (via CBS)
Do DEI Restrictions Hurt Free Speech?
DEI opponents are often conservatives, Republicans, or other groups who regularly opine about free speech restrictions in society. However, DEI supporters and those who oppose free speech restrictions are calling them out for going back on this free speech stance to use the government to suppress DEI.
Debbie Deland, the president of the Florida National Organization for Women, said in November that DEI restrictions are “Shamelessly violating freedom of speech, freedom of assembly in the hallowed ground coveted for the intellectual and humane development of our future citizenry and our future leaders is intolerable,” according to CBS.
Are Florida Republicans Using DEI as a Cover to Change College Curriculum?
Democratic Florida Representative Anna Eskamanai held a news conference where she accused the anti-DEI push of being more sinister than it appears, with other disciplines like sociology also being targeted.
“The Board of Governors, y’all, they are going after not just DEI, but sociology as a program. Please understand that every culture war really is a class war. We have to do what we can to ensure that regardless of how much money you have, that you can read books about yourself,” Eskamanai said. (via CBS)
The Movement Against DEI
Governor Ron Desantis signed the Stop WOKE Act in 2022, which kickstarted an intense push by Republicans to remove DEI ideology from the state in K–12 schools, colleges, and universities.
According to ABC News, a judge put a halt on the act from going into effect on the grounds of free speech and that it may violate the First Amendment of the Constitution.
