DEI

Accounts spread through social media said officials at the college had sent a large collection of books from its recently shuttered gender studies program to a local landfill.

The law requires professors to undergo more frequent evaluations to earn tenure. That, along with restrictions on topics about race and DEI, are causing some to leave, USF faculty say.

In a statement, a USF spokeswoman said visitors questioning the display led the administration “to look into [the] processes” of selecting all flags.

Public colleges and universities across Florida are closing down diversity, equity and inclusion programs, in response to changes in state law. At Florida Atlantic University, that led to the closure of the Center for IDEAs. But now students are bringing new life to the space.

State law restricted the use of public funds for Diversity Equity and Inclusion Programs on college and university campuses. Several higher education institutions have begun phasing out those initiatives.

The University of South Florida is one of many schools forced to phase out diversity, equity, and inclusion offices thanks to a new state law. But USF officials say the school will remain diverse.

A federal court recently blocked most of a key DeSantis measure, the Stop WOKE Act. Courts have ruled against a number of the governor's conservative initiatives.

On March 1, UF sent out a memo announcing it was closing the office of the Chief Diversity Officer, eliminating 13 DEI positions and 15 administrative appointments.

It comes after Gov. DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting the use of state funds for any DEI programs, and in response to the University of Florida and other schools eliminating their programs.

New College of Florida president Richard Corcoran, who spoke against public funding for DEI programs, and Ameshia Cross, of the Education Trust, kept the discussion cordial despite the polarizing topic.

The move was intended to comply with a new state law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who banned spending money on diversity issues at the state’s public colleges and universities.

Prior to 1921, Sarasota was a part of Manatee County. During that time, there were six known victims of lynchings in this area. A historical marker will be placed in Sarasota to memorialize the victims.