News Summary
The University of Florida’s Board of Trustees has expressed support for Santa J. Ono, criticizing the objections against his nomination for president. They condemned the rejection as politically influenced and highlighted Ono’s contributions to higher education. Despite opposition based on his previous support for Jewish students and DEI initiatives, trustees emphasize Ono’s commitment to campus safety and merit-based approaches. As the search for a new president continues, the board calls for a unified effort amid political pressures affecting leadership selection.
Florida – The University of Florida’s Board of Trustees has formally expressed its support for Santa J. Ono, the former University of Michigan president who was recently rejected as the university’s presidential nominee. In a letter addressed to key Republican lawmakers on July 3, 2023, the trustees criticized the objection to Ono’s nomination, deeming it as unfounded and politically influenced.
The board’s letter was sent to U.S. Senator Rick Scott, U.S. Representatives Byron Donalds, and Greg Steube. The trustees articulated that rejecting Ono represents a significant loss for Florida’s higher education landscape, particularly as it could have underscored the successes of the state’s educational reforms on a national scale.
Ono, a respected immunologist with a distinguished track record in academia, faced objections largely based on accusations regarding his support for Jewish students during his tenure at the University of Michigan and his alignment with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These objections culminated in a formal response from Republican lawmakers on June 18, suggesting that Ono’s actions during pro-Palestinian protests had endangered Jewish students. However, the Board of Trustees countered this narrative, stressing that Ono had prioritized campus safety.
The State University System’s Board of Governors has played a crucial role in the nomination process, as it blocked the unanimous recommendation from the UF Board of Trustees, leaving the university now without a clear successor to interim President Kent Fuchs, whose contract ends on July 31, 2023. The ongoing presidential search has drawn intense scrutiny and has been impacted by political dynamics.
In their letter, the trustees argued that political pressure complicates efforts to secure top leadership in state universities and called for a more unified approach to the presidential search. They shared that their selection process involved ten listening sessions and maintained that a single finalist approach was necessary given the current leadership market conditions. Furthermore, the trustees expressed a preference for continuing this approach in future candidate searches.
The trustees also lamented that only two members of the Board of Governors had engaged in discussions with Ono prior to the opposition campaign, which they viewed as a failure in establishing constructive dialogue. This was further underscored by their concerns regarding the transparency of the selection process, with lawmakers urging the university to consider interviewing multiple candidates and properly disclosing application materials.
Amid the criticism, notable Jewish leaders, including representatives from the Michigan Hillel and the Anti-Defamation League, have supported Ono, asserting that he had made significant strides in mitigating concerns regarding Jewish student safety during his presidency in Michigan. The Board of Trustees highlighted that Ono had demonstrated a clear ideological shift away from DEI initiatives, leaning instead towards merit-based approaches and institutional neutrality, which they believe aligns with the university’s goals.
The upcoming UF Board of Trustees meeting, scheduled for July 23, 2023, will address various agenda items, including a proposal to raise out-of-state tuition. As the search for a new president continues amidst political controversy and allegations, the UF community remains in search of clarity and direction for the university’s leadership future.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of this episode may resonate far beyond the walls of the University of Florida, impacting the broader discourse on governance, leadership selection, and political involvement in educational institutions across the state and the nation.
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Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
