The University of Florida announced Friday that it will eliminate all Diversity, equity and inclusion employee positions.
The change, announced via an emailed administrative memo, comes after the Florida Board of Governors labeled spending related to DEI programs as prohibited spending.
The memo explains that “in order to comply with the decision of the Florida Board of Governors, Regulation 9.016 “In connection with prohibited expenditures, the University of Florida closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, eliminated DEI positions and administrative appointments, and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors.”
The Board of Governors defines DEI as “any program, campus activity, or policy that classifies individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation and promotes differential or preferential treatment of individuals based on such classification.”
He regulation says a state university “may not expend any state or federal funds to promote, support, or maintain any campus program or activity” that violates Florida Statutes section 1000.05, advocates for what it defines as diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promotes or engages in what it defines as political or social activism.
Florida Statute Section 1000.05Called the Florida Educational Equity Act, it requires equal access and prohibits discrimination “on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status” against students and employees in Florida’s K-20 public education system.
On Friday afternoon, Gov. Ron DeSantis commented on X (formerly Twitter): “DEI is toxic and has no place in our public universities. I’m glad Florida was the first state to eliminate DEI and hope more states follow suit.”
The employees who have been laid off will receive the university’s standard 12 weeks’ pay, according to UF’s Human Resources department. UF said these employees are encouraged to apply between March 1 and April 19 to be considered more quickly for the various positions currently open at the university. UF also said it will work to expedite the interview process for these employees and will provide a response to all applications within 12 weeks.
State Reps. Dianne Hart, D-Tampa, and Yvonne Hinson, D-Gainesville, expressed disapproval of the layoffs in prepared remarks.
“I am stunned, but not surprised, by the elimination of DEI staff at the University of Florida, my alma mater,” Hinson said. “The culture wars waged in the Republican-dominated Florida House of Representatives will continue until Floridians have had enough and develop the will and determination to change the majority in the Florida House of Representatives.”
Hart called the series of firings “the latest manifestation of the policies of an out-of-touch legislature and a failed governor’s presidential bid.”
“When will we let go of these fabricated culture wars that are literally costing people their livelihoods? In an effort to prevent “indoctrination” in our classrooms, we have instead created an educational system that is based on lies, falsehoods, and misleading history. We cannot call ourselves the “Free State of Florida” when children are not free to learn the truth of their history and see the diversity of humanity,” she said.
The CFO’s office will reallocate approximately $5 million to a faculty recruitment fund to be administered by the Provost’s Office. These funds had previously been reported to Tallahassee for DEI expenses, including employee salaries and expenses.
Read for yourself:UF Memo on Elimination of All Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Positions on Friday
PHEW Diversity Panel Between the fall of 2012 and the fall of 2022, nearly half of the students enrolled in the university were white. In 2012, white students accounted for 56.11% of 28,102 students and in 2022 they accounted for 49.80% of 30,278 students.
In 2012, white faculty represented 73.61% of 3,341 employees and in 2022, they represented 64.46% of 3,700 employees. White faculty represented 69.96% of 6,113 employees in 2012 and 63.32% of 6,709 employees in 2022.
The memo said UF is and always will be “unwavering in our commitment to universal human dignity. As we educate students by thoughtfully engaging a broad range of ideas and viewpoints, we will continue to foster a community of trust and respect for every member of the Gator Nation. The University of Florida is an elite institution because of our incredible faculty, who are committed to teaching, discovery and service.”
He Office of the Chief Diversity Officerhe Center for Multicultural Inclusion and Engagementhe Office of Accessibility and Gender Equityhe Disability Resource Centerhe RESPECT Team and the Office of Institutional Planning and Research diversity panel All of these resources are included in the university’s DEI. UF has not yet specifically mentioned any of them.
JOBs Apply News
For the Latest JOBs Apply News, Follow ©JOBs Apply News on Twitter and Linkedin Page.
