Santa Ono's bid to become UF president rejected: Here's what to know
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Santa Ono blocked from UF presidency amid DEI backlash
Santa Ono, former University of Michigan president and a prominent academic leader, was blocked from becoming the next president of the University of Florida after a 10-6 vote by the state university system's Board of Governors.
Fox - 35 Orlando
Florida's Board of Governors voted down the former University of Michigan's nomination to become the next president of the University of Florida.
The board rejected Santa Ono's nomination, whom Florida conservatives criticized due to his previous support of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, according to the Detroit Free Press, a part of the USA TODAY network.
The rejection comes after Ono resigned from his position in May, after being named the sole finalist for the position.
The position would have paid $15 million over a five-year period.
USA TODAY has reached out to the University of Florida for comment.
Here's what to know about the controversy.
Florida politicians weigh in on Ono's nomination
On June 2, Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott blasted Ono's nomination in a post on X ahead of the vote.
Ono "has a record of embracing divisive and radical DEI policies, showing he is willing to appease and prioritize far-left activists over ensuring students are protected and receive a quality education.' Scott wrote.
University of Michigan accused of insufficient efforts to combat antisemitism
In March, the U.S. Department of Education threatened to withhold funding to 60 universities across the country, including the University of Michigan, U-M, not to be confused with Florida's University of Miami, for what the Trump administration considered the schools' insufficient efforts to combat antisemitism.
'Clearly, Ono has a concerning record from his time at the University of Michigan, where he allowed an illegal, pro-terrorist encampment to take over the campus for nearly a month, putting Jewish students in danger and failing to uphold even the most basic standards of leadership,' Scott stated.
However, Trump's charge came after U-M had long faced criticism of its treatment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on campus, including the removal of a protest encampment on the U-M Diag.
The school's treatment of those protesters prompted lawsuits against U-M, but in the eyes of some people in Florida, Ono was too soft on the encampment.
Universities and DEI
In February, the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funds from universities that consider race in their admission practices.
In March, Ono announced that U-M would close its expansive Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and redirect the funds to more student-focused efforts, like the expansion of the Go Blue Guarantee, which provides free tuition for students from Michigan who meet income guidelines.
What is the Florida Board of Governors?
It is a board that consists of 17 members that "oversees the operation and management of the Florida public university system's twelve institutions," according to the State University System of Florida.
Of the 17 members, 14 are appointed to the board by Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, Republican, and confirmed by the Florida Senate.
The three remaining members include the following people:
Chair of the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates
The Commissioner of Education
The Chair of the Florida Student Association
The members of the board have a term of seven years.
The board was created in 2003, after the Florida Constitution was amended in 2002 to create a system of governance for public universities in the state, according to the University of West Florida's websit
Contributing: Alan Festo, Gainesville Sun
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
Contact John Wisely: jwisely@freepress.com. On X: @jwisely
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