Higher Education

The board elected leadership that cements a conservative majority, raising questions about the influence of Gov. Ron DeSantis' higher education agenda and the board's ties to the local community.

After restarting a state-halted search, the school will select from Adam Hasner, a former House majority leader with FAU ties; Michael Hartline, business dean at FSU; and John Volin, provost at the University of Maine.

Jeremy P. Martin becomes FSC's 18th president, replacing the retiring Anne B. Kerr. He's an experience administrator with a "record of enhancing the student experience and institutional growth."

Students are still waiting on financial aid packages due to FAFSA delays. Some of Florida's largest universities are giving the incoming class more time to decide on committing to their school.

Higher education faculty is one group that's feeling the effects of tougher regulations placed on Florida public sector unions. Their leaders say union protections are more important than ever as state laws target certain freedoms.

The bill would designate four behavioral health teaching hospitals linked to universities and provides them $100 million a year over the next three years.

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 American Association of University Professors has placed sanctions on New College of Florida for "unacceptable conditions" for faculty. School officials call the announcement a "headline grab."

The hiring freeze is due to a Florida law passed earlier this year meant to combat the infiltration of the higher education system by "countries of concern" — including Cuba, Venezuela, China, Russia, Syria, Iran and North Korea.

"America's Censored Classrooms 2023" documents more than 100 bills introduced across the country that aim to restrict discussion on LGBTQ- and race-related issues in educational settings. Many are modeled after Florida legislation.

The challenge, filed by the group NCF Freedom and several New College professors and students, says restrictions in the law would strip away numerous course offerings from its students.

Five Florida colleges join top schools in the U.S. in a report ranking free-speech climate and culture on college campuses. Once again, Florida State University is near the top.