United Faculty of Florida Press Release

Read the complete UFF statement here.

Since the start of 2023, a number of Florida’s political leaders have escalated attacks on the higher ed students, faculty and staff who do not agree with the governor’s agenda. These unethical and — in some cases — unconstitutional assaults have spread into programs, institutions and administrations across the state, including:

• Demands from Gov. DeSantis and the Florida House for information about the funding of race- and race relations-related programs at colleges and universities. Elimination of these programs can disqualify universities from receiving millions in federal support.

• McCarthyist investigations to target trans students and employees by demanding information that could potentially compromise patient privacy and discourage individuals from seeking medically appropriate care.

• A takeover of New College, Florida’s honors university, by extremist ideologues in an effort to enforce conservative ideology on campus through authoritarian tactics.

• A collective statement from the Florida College System (FCS) presidents affirming their view that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are harmful to higher education.

• A pending regulation from the Board of Governors that virtually eliminates tenure at Florida’s universities.