Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday shrugged off recent reports about high faculty turnover at New College of Florida, as the governor and other conservative leaders have sought to remake the small liberal-arts school in Sarasota.
During a speech at an American Legislative Exchange Council meeting in Orlando, DeSantis addressed higher-education changes such as efforts to rid state colleges and universities of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. DeSantis said “we’ve seen a flood of applications coming in” amid the changes.
He pointed to New College, which has been filling positions that account for nearly a third of the school’s faculty. DeSantis appointed a slate of conservative members to the school’s Board of Trustees early this year.
“The media will say, ‘Oh, some of these professors are leaving, like New College. Like, isn’t that bad? Is that a brain drain?’ Well, you know, if you’re a professor in like, you know, Marxist studies, that’s not a loss for Florida if you’re going on, and trust me, I’m totally good with that,” said DeSantis, who has made education issues a pillar of his 2024 presidential campaign. The issue of New College faculty turnover was discussed during a July 17 Board of Trustees meeting.
The school was in the process of filling 36 faculty positions ahead of the fall semester, which starts Aug. 28. At the time, school officials reported having signed offer letters for 15 incoming visiting faculty members. After DeSantis’ appointments to the board early this year, New College trustees ousted former school President Patricia Okker and replaced her on an interim basis with Richard Corcoran, a former Republican House speaker and state education commissioner.
Jim says
Wow, there must have been a lot of professors of Marxist’s studies at New College. I guess none of those professors who left taught things like mathematics and science for example. Just a bunch of Marxist classes for everyone! DeSantis is a loser and he’s showing all of us just how terrible he is in his run for president. His brand of hate isn’t playing so well in the rest of the country. Maybe some of his local supporters should take note and question why they support this loser in the first place.
All you college age kids, come to Florida for your education. It doesn’t matter how dumb you are, you won’t be challenged in our colleges unless you appear to be woke!!!!
Ban the GOP says
Teachers in general are leaving this state and for good reason, they can charge them with felonies if they posess a book the fascist dont like, poor pay and schools are grossly underfunded. Floridas answer is to defund them futher and give tax dollars to extremist and religous schools with no educational standards. Give it few years to see what a terrible De-staster that will be for the non wealthy kids. Socialism for the rich.
Laurel says
We’re seriously going to have to clean up DeSantis’ mess when he finally leaves. It just shows what stupid with power can do.
Michael Cocchiola says
The world has seen this before… in 1930s Germany.
Demonize truth. Demonize “liberal” teachers and administrators. Get them to leave voluntarily if you can. Forcibily remove them on some pretext if you must. Take control of the books, lesson plans, tests and evaluations. Reward compliance with state-issued materials and adherance to dictates. Create compliant school boards, administrators, faculty and students.
Florida is a fascist state under DeSantis. The only question is will it continue on his dark path to oblivion when he goes… if he goes.
Laurel says
Michael: No, Ronnie has pissed off too many people.