ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The long-serving academic Ono faced rejection on Tuesday from the State University Systems Commission, following intense criticism from political leaders and conservatives regarding his prior support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, among other initiatives they deem problematic.
The Florida Governor’s Committee, which regulates the state’s universities, voted 10-6 against Ono, who is currently the president of the University of Michigan. This decision came after the University of Florida Board of Directors voted unanimously in his favor. It’s unprecedented for the governor to overturn such actions that approved ONO as the institution’s 14th president in May.
As a consequence, the search for a new president will resume.
Ono’s proposal contract featured numerous ideological stipulations, particularly regarding how effectively he halted DEI-focused programs. He was expected to collaborate with Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Office of Government Efficiency and a body established during President Donald Trump’s term to appoint officials and deans supportive of Florida’s educational policies, while also eliminating curricular elements seen as yielding “low return on investment.”
Prominent conservative figures raised concerns about Ono due to his involvement in Palestinian protests, climate change advocacy, gender ideology, and DEI initiatives at the University of Michigan, along with his previous academic history.
“He’s more inclined to appease and prioritize distant leftist activists than to ensure student safety and quality education,” stated Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican senator from Florida, on X-Social Platform. Others expressing concern include Donald Trump Jr. and Florida GOP representatives Byron Donald, Greg Stube, and Jimmy Patronis, with Donald running as a Republican candidate for governor.
According to a piece he penned for Inside Higher Ed, Ono revealed that he initially backed the DEI initiative as it appeared to promote “equal opportunity and equity for all students.”
“However, over time, I noticed how DEI evolved into something else. I began to see elements of ideology, division, and bureaucracy, rather than a focus on student success,” Ono remarked, noting he ultimately restricted DEI’s office in Michigan. “I embrace Florida’s vision for higher education.”
DeSantis has championed reforms in higher education aimed at eradicating “woke” policies like DEI; however, he has yet to release a public statement on Ono. At a recent press conference, he expressed a strong sentiment of exhaustion regarding the current educational landscape.
Ono faced similar pointed inquiries during Tuesday’s meeting, particularly from former Republican chairmen Paul Renner and Jose Oliva.
“We have never utilized this forum to interrogate him. It’s not a courtroom. Frankly, this process seems unfair to me,” commented Ridecker.
But now that he is seeking work in Florida, Oliva has questioned how Ono’s previous statements regarding various cultural issues align with his purportedly conservative stance.
“Now we’re supposed to believe you are abandoning the entire ideological framework,” Oliva added. “We’re asking someone to lead a flagship university. I don’t understand how that’s unfair.”
On X, Steube commended the board for its decision.
“Great news for my alma mater and for Florida! The Governor’s Committee clearly heard our concerns. Santa Ono was the wrong choice for UF,” the lawmaker remarked.
Ono was set to succeed Kent Fuchs, who has been serving as the school’s interim president since last summer after former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse stepped down. Sasse left the Senate, where he represented Nebraska, to take the presidency of the university in 2023.
Sasse announced in July that he would resign after his wife received a diagnosis of epilepsy.
Subsequently, reports surfaced indicating that Sasse hired six former staff members and two ex-Republican officials, at salaries surpassing comparable positions, and spent $1.3 million on lavish dinners, private catering, and upscale social events during his first year.
Ono previously held the presidency at the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati.
Source: apnews.com