The University of Florida is the first college in the Sunshine State to terminate roles for all diversity, equity and inclusion employees to comply with a new law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). The university announced the new policy will be taking effect there on Friday.
The university had allocated $5 million from its budget to support implementing DEI priorities at the school. But the school announced on Friday that it diverted the money to a faculty recruitment fund.
The announcement from the university said, “To comply with the Florida Board of Governor’s regulation 9.016 on prohibited expenditures, the University of Florida has closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, eliminated DEI positions and administrative appointments, and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors.”
“DEI is toxic and has no place in our public universities,” DeSantis wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Friday to celebrate the milestone toward implementing the new Florida law. “I’m glad that Florida was the first state to eliminate DEI and I hope more states follow suit.”
DEI is toxic and has no place in our public universities.
I’m glad that Florida was the first state to eliminate DEI and I hope more states follow suit. https://t.co/oThvwowKu6
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 1, 2024
“I am stunned but not surprised at the elimination of DEI staff at University of Florida, my Alma Matter,” said Democrat state Rep. Yvonne Hinson. “The culture wars engaged in the Republican dominated Florida House of Representatives will continue until Floridians have had enough and develop the will and determination to flip the majority in the Florida House.”
“When will we stop with these made up culture wars that are literally costing people their livelihoods,” Democrat state Rep. Dianne Hart said.
“In an effort to prevent ‘indoctrination’ in our classrooms, we have in turn created an education system that is built off lies, falsehoods, and deceptive history,” Hart added. “We can’t call ourselves the ‘free State of Florida’ when children aren’t free to learn the truth of their history, and see the diversity of humanity.”
Defenders of #DEI: "They're just teaching equality!"
What they're actually teaching: pic.twitter.com/86zHkWNu8s
— Emergent Perspective (@_emergent_) March 1, 2024
As Florida passed the law banning DEI expenditures, Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr., said, “These actions today ensure that we will not spend taxpayers’ money supporting DEI and radical indoctrination that promotes division in our society.”