Ben Sasse

The University of Florida’s then-president, Ben Sasse, dished out over $1.3 million on private catering for lavish dinners, football tailgates and extravagant social functions.

More than half of the $211,824 itemized expenses attributed to six of Sasse's senior UF hires working remotely over 17 months was for airfare or train tickets, plus nearly $50,000 more for hotels.

He responded to a report in The Independent Florida Alligator that he spent $17.3 million while president, including hiring several of his former U.S. Senate staffers, including two who were allowed to work remotely from the Washington, D.C., area.

The Independent Florida Alligator reported that the former University of Florida president and U.S. senator's hiring of former aides and allies to large salaries. Reporter Garrett Shanley discusses the findings.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we discussed cellphone restrictions in K-12 schools, journalist Garrett Shanley's reporting on former UF president Ben Sasse’s record spending, Hurricane Charley 20 years later, Hurricane Debby recovery efforts and impact on wildlife, and a new TV series filmed in Florida.

The Independent Florida Alligator uncovered details of the former University of Florida president's spending. Gov. DeSantis and Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis are calling on the state university system's Board of Governors to investigate.

The University of Florida, Florida A&M and Florida Atlantic University each have openings. They're facing new pressures in a politicized selection process.

Ben Sasse is stepping down after 17 months, attributing his decision to a recent epilepsy diagnosis and new memory issues facing his wife and desire to spend more time with his family.

In the past year, Sasse has spelled out his plan for the future of UF in increasing detail. In comparison to his presence on campus on his first day, his hopes, strategies and initiatives have landed softly on the university and its constituents.

Ben Sasse, who officially took office in February, said UF has not yet deactivated a campus chapter of a pro-Palestinian student organization as directed by the DeSantis administration last month.

UF's graduate campus would focus on innovative programs in medicine, business and engineering.

The university says Sasse — who had no pool at his family’s home in Fremont, Nebraska — did not ask for the pool to be built and provided no input over its design. The money is coming from private donors.