Florida's Board of Governors passed a regulation in January limiting public funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and in accordance with state law, the university's decision reportedly applies to all employees in those positions, as well as all administrative appointees.
In response to this announcement, Governor Ron DeSantis (R) celebrated on X that "Florida is where DEI goes to die."
Aaron DiPietro, legislative affairs director for the Florida Family Policy Council (FFPC), says this action is long overdue.
"I think it's a very good step that the state of Florida is making in ensuring that our tax dollars are going toward promoting education and not indoctrination or the pushing of political agendas that have proven to be more divisive than they are actually producing any benefit in society," he tells AFN.
And considering the Left's longtime "iron stronghold over the higher education sphere" in the areas of medicine, law, and teaching, he says this is "a refocusing of higher education as well," a first step toward a broader picture of reforming higher education.
"Higher education has really been turned into a one-size, one-sided propaganda push for leftist agendas, with studies and degree programs that really have no relevance to the 21st century and moving American forward in creating a stronger economy," DiPietro submits.
According to the university's memo, employees whose positions were eliminated will receive UF's standard 12 weeks of pay, and those colleagues are allowed and encouraged to apply 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 12-week window," the memo states.
