ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The potential appointment of Santa Ono as president of the University of Florida was halted on Tuesday by a decision from the state university system’s Board of Governors. The board voted 10-6 against Ono, following criticisms from conservative groups concerning his previous backing of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which they perceive as overly liberal.
Ono, who formerly held the presidential post at the University of Michigan, had been approved by the University of Florida Board of Trustees to become the institution’s 14th president. This rejection by the Board of Governors is noteworthy as it marks a rare overturning of such a decision. As a result, the university must now begin the search for a new candidate again.
The contract proposed for Ono included requirements aligning with the ideological expectations held by state officials. This was to include a reduction in DEI-focused programs and collaboration with Governor Ron DeSantis’ Office of Government Efficiency. Moreover, Ono was expected to appoint university officials and deans who were closely aligned with Florida’s political and educational directives.
Leading up to the vote, prominent conservatives expressed concerns about Ono’s past associations with DEI and other progressive initiatives. Critics, including Republican U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida, voiced apprehensions on social media platforms, suggesting that Ono prioritized liberal agendas over providing quality education. Other opposition included criticisms from Donald Trump Jr. and various Florida Republican congress members like Byron Donalds, Greg Steube, and Jimmy Patronis.
In a piece for Inside Higher Ed, Ono reflected on his journey with DEI initiatives, acknowledging their initial intent to promote equal opportunity. However, he observed that these programs began to focus more on ideology, causing division rather than student success. In line with Florida’s educational vision, Ono said he eventually limited DEI efforts at the University of Michigan, indicating his shift towards a more conservative educational approach.
Governor DeSantis, who advocates for eliminating what he refers to as “woke” policies in higher education, refrained from openly supporting or opposing Ono. Nonetheless, he did remark on some of Ono’s past statements during a news conference, suggesting they could provoke discomfort.
During the board meeting, Ono faced scrutiny from former Republican state House speakers, Paul Renner and Jose Oliva, about his previous liberal stances. Board member Charles Lydecker objected to the intense questioning process, labeling it unfair. Despite Lydecker’s concerns, Oliva questioned the legitimacy of Ono’s current conservative stance when compared to his earlier views.
Greg Steube, a Florida congressman and UF alumnus, shared his approval on social media, stating the board’s decision was favorable for the university and the state. Ono, who was meant to take over from Kent Fuchs — the interim president after Ben Sasse’s transition to the role of university president — will no longer assume the position.
Ben Sasse had resigned from the U.S. Senate to become the university’s president only to step down after a brief tenure due to his wife’s health issues. Reports following his resignation indicated that Sasse had controversially hired former Republican aides with high salaries and expended over a million dollars on private catering and events.
Santa Ono also has a history of leadership as the former president of both the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati. As the university navigates the search for new leadership, the attention remains on how these ideological considerations will shape their decision.