DeSantis 3, Education 0

The system of higher education in Florida is composed of 12 universities and 28 colleges. Some independent rating sources have deemed it the best state system in the country. I have no reason to doubt it.
 
When a new president is selected for one of them, there usually is a search in which applicants are encouraged to apply worldwide. The process usually whittles down a large number of applicants to a maximum of six and those making the cut are brought to campus for extensive interviews with faculty, staff, administration, trustees, and students.
 
Occasionally politicians are selected, a choice leaving me nervous. But in all honesty, there have been many who have done an excellent job, overcoming the hesitancy of the educational community and becoming effective academic leaders.
 
These searches have always been carried out in the open.
 
Until recently.
 
Not too long ago a law indicated the names of candidates would be withheld until the finalists were chosen. No longer would the public learn who had applied and been eliminated.
 
What was the reason? The claim was that good people would not put their names forward because of fear they would be in trouble with their current employer. I understand that. But the truth is that good people did apply, and the result was to make the Florida system so excellent it received the best of ratings.
 
So I don’t think that was the reason. I think the real motivation for the law was to provide the first step in a state takeover of higher education in Florida. A takeover by Governor DeSantis.
 
There already is a ban on the teaching of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout the system and instructors are fearful of going anywhere near those subjects. We certainly don’t want students to feel uncomfortable discussing controversial ideas, the definition of which is ideas that go against the whims of DeSantis.
 
Unfortunately, this general threat isn’t enough for our governor. It seems he wants to have more direct control of each university and he is attempting, successfully so far, to stack the leadership of the universities and colleges with presidents supportive of DeSantis.
 
The governor already has three wins:

1. The University of Florida (UF). Its recent presidential search ended when all finalists decided to withdraw. We were told they didn’t want their names to become public unless they were offered the position. Actually, not all withdrew. One remained: Ben Sasse. You’ve probably heard of him. He was a U.S. senator from Nebraska. Conservative, anti-abortion. His qualifications? He previously served as a college president many years before. Of a school with about 1500 students. UF has more than 52,000 students. So far he hasn’t rocked too many boats but I await with bated breath. DeSantis loves him.
2. New College. This small liberal arts college had a sterling reputation for innovative education and a devoted student body and powerful alumni. It became raw meat for DeSantis. He appointed a new conservative majority governing board who immediately fired the president and replaced her with Richard Corcoran, a political sycophant who graciously accepted a salary of almost $700,000, way more than any of the other presidents of state universities. New College is being transformed, with the goal of it becoming a public equivalent of the awful private ultra-conservative Hilldale College in Michigan. In fact, a representative of Hilldale College was appointed to the board of New College and others tied to it are assisting in determining what books should be banned from our public schools.
3. South Florida State College. This college is in the process of conducting a presidential search. Three finalists were chosen. All had doctorates. All had experience with college administration. All were called into a meeting. When the meeting was over, all decided to withdraw their applications. Sound familiar? This leaves the presidency open. But there is no need to fear. A conservative member of our legislature, Fred Hawkins, has said he will become the president and has been enthusiastically endorsed by Desantis. Just a minor problem. Hawkins does not possess a terminal degree (such as a doctorate, master of fine arts, law, etc.) He has a bachelors in political science. The trouble is the search criteria specifies that a terminal degree is required. Again, no problem. Solved at once by eliminating that requirement. Hawkins still has to be selected officially. That decision will be made by the school’s trustees. Who have been appointed by, you guessed it, DeSantis.

 
So DeSantis has three wins, with just 37 to go to completely rule the entire public higher education system in Florida. Sounds like a lot. But don’t assume it’s impossible. The general restrictions already in place on the schools is having a devastating effect and who knows how that will cause departures in the futures, departures DeSantis would view as opportunities.
 
He's already working on Number 4: Florida Atlantic University. I have a soft spot for it because it hosts a yearly conference related to my area of research and I attended many of them. They are currently conducting a search for a new president. Those doing the search have assured everyone it will be carried out in the proper manner. I bet those at South Florida State College thought the same thing. The scary part is DeSantis has said another legislator, Randy Fine, would make a good president and Fine has agreed. Randy Fine is notorious. He is far, far right and a nasty individual. To give just a small idea of the type of person he is, he takes delight in attacking gays and the transgender community and has called a school leader he didn’t like a “whore.” Just the type of man we want leading education of young minds.
 
My heart is broken over the demolition of a higher education system I devoted a major portion of my life to.
 
And this should scare everybody.