A progressive academic named Santa Ono has been rejected by Florida’s higher education board as the choice to lead the University of Florida as president.
In recent years, conservatives have gained a small foothold in higher education in Florida and many of them were vehemently opposed to Ono’s candidacy.
Conservative education activist Chris Rufo tweeted:
NBC News reports:
Pick for University of Florida president rejected after a conservative backlashIn a surprise twist, the state of Florida’s top higher education board on Tuesday voted against a contract for Santa Ono, who was set to be the next president of the University of Florida. The decision came after growing opposition on the right to Ono’s past statements on, among other things, diversity, equity and inclusion policies.The rejection of Ono, the former president of the University of Michigan, also put Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a thorny political position.One of DeSantis’ longtime biggest political supporters — Mori Hosseini, the billionaire chair of the University of Florida board of trustees — strongly backed Ono’s bid to become president of the state’s flagship university.On the other hand, national conservatives including Christopher Rufo — an activist who built his reputation fighting racial sensitivity trainings and critical race theory courses — Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. — a Trump ally running for Florida governor — and Donald Trump Jr. argued that Ono’s past support for DEI policies made him unqualified for the job.“WTF! Have the decision makers at @UF lost their minds!???” Trump Jr. wrote in an X post last month. “This woke psycho might be a perfect fit for a Communist school in California, but how is he even being considered for this role in Florida?
Politico is taking the news well:
Amid bitter conservative backlash, state board rejects University of Florida president pickState university leaders rejected Santa Ono as the University of Florida’s prospective president Tuesday in a shocking move sparked by conservative outrage over his support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives while leading the University of Michigan.The unprecedented decision by the university system Board of Governors erases a presidential pick that UF trustees expected to propel the school into greater national prominence. But Ono was met with a lukewarm response from Gov. Ron DeSantis, a powerful voice in higher education, and outright opposition from other Republicans including Sen. Rick Scott and Reps. Byron Donalds and Greg Steube.
People on the left are reacting in shock because they’re not used to this. I am reminded of a phrase that has been said repeatedly on Twitter over the last few months. When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.
Featured image via YouTube.
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