Latest news with #SantaJ.Ono
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Absolute embarrassment': Florida's GOP-led education board torpedoes UF president search
In a landmark moment for Florida higher education, the state university system's Board of Governors on Tuesday blocked Santa J. Ono's appointment as the next president of the University of Florida amid furious conservative backlash. The 10–6 vote capped a fiery and deeply political process, marking the first time the board had overturned a university's choice for its top job. The decision not only leaves UF without a permanent leader, but could potentially have far-reaching consequences for the future of higher education across the state. By rejecting a candidate who most recently led one of the nation's top research institutions, the board signaled that traditional scholars are no longer welcome as academic leaders in Florida. Ono, a molecular immunologist who just finished a two-and-a-half year stint leading the University of Michigan, had been unanimously backed by the UF Board of Trustees last Tuesday. Had the Board of Governors voted yes, the three-time college president would have entered a five-year contract valued up to $15.4 million plus benefits. Ono, having already stepped down from Michigan, is now left without a position. His appointment would have marked a symbolic win for UF, which has long aimed to match the University of Michigan in national rankings. Michigan currently holds the No. 3 slot in the U.S. News & World Report's public university rankings; UF ranks No. 7. UF board chair Mori Hosseini has been in a 'laserfocused' quest to boost UF's standing in national rankings. A major Republican donor and ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Hosseini praised Ono on Wednesday as a leader who has 'seen first hand how liberal orthodoxy that dominates many elite universities is failure, breeding division, eroding public trust and compromising academic rigor.' But Ono had been met with a lukewarm response from DeSantis and bitter opposition from other prominent Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds. From the moment UF announced Ono as the sole finalist for the $3 million-a-year job on May 4, conservatives pounced on his former support for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives while at Michigan, including a high-profile 'DEI 2.0' campaign and the expansion of one of the nation's most extensive DEI offices. Although Ono disbanded those programs in March, since describing his views as having 'evolved,' prominent conservatives widely met the reversal with skepticism rather than forgiveness. Christopher Rufo — a Washington-State based conservative activist and key architect of DeSantis' anti-DEI crusade — helped orchestrate a public pressure campaign, celebrating Ono's defeat as a victory in the ideological war for the soul of higher education. 'We conducted an investigation, generated a strong media narrative, and made the case that Ono was a captured left-wing ideologue who would jeopardize Florida's reputation as the place 'where woke goes to die,'' Rufo wrote on X after the vote. Tuesday's proceedings more closely resembled a political interrogation along the lines of a Capitol Hill confirmation hearing than a routine board vote. The board — which is stacked with DeSantis appointees — probed Ono's old tweets and statements and pressed him on what some saw as a less-than-swift response to antisemitism and pro-Palestinian encampments on Michigan's campus. There was scant discussion of Ono's academic vision for UF. 'It's an absolute embarrassment,' Amanda Phalin, a UF business professor who previously served on the Board of Governors, told reporters after the meeting. 'The political questions that were being asked portends more politics in the process and less focus on academics.' Board member Paul Renner — a recent DeSantis appointee and former Florida House Speaker — confronted Ono with a binder of news clippings and past statements and demanded he clarify the timeline of his evolving stance on DEI, pointing to comments that appeared to support those programs long after the school eliminated them. Ono, clearly caught off-guard, struggled to recall or contextualize each item in the stack. 'My name is on a lot of things at institutions that I didn't write,' he said at one point, adding that some statements were written by committees or task forces. Despite the mounting pressure, Ono remained steadfast in his desire to lead UF. In his public statements and before the Board of Governors, he aligned himself closely with DeSantis' vision for higher education, repeatedly affirming his support for the state's dismantling of DEI programs and other academic reforms. 'I support fully, the decision to end DEI,' Ono told the board. 'I'm here to ensure DEI never returns to the University of Florida. Science will lead — not ideology.' Not everyone on the board agreed with the hostile tone of the proceedings. Charles Lydecker, who has served on the Board of Governors since 2019 and was also part of UF's search committee, raised concerns that governors were questioning Ono about years-old statements and hadn't been given a chance to review materials beforehand. 'We have never used this as a forum to interrogate,' Lydecker said. 'Are we a court of law here? Oor are we a body intending on ratifying the vote already taken at the University of Florida? This process doesn't feel fair to me.' Chairman Brian Lamb, who ultimately voted in favor of Ono, also expressed concerns. 'We are the Board of Governors; we are not at the Supreme Court,' Lamb told board members. Tensions also flared when Renner was confronted with revelations that he had previously expressed interest in the UF presidency. Mori Hosseini, the UF board chairman, disclosed that Renner had contacted him about the position before his appointment to the Board of Governors. Renner confirmed a conversation had taken place but denied actively pursuing the role. Meanwhile, UF trustees, faculty leaders and donors passionately defended Ono. Kent Fuchs, UF's interim president and a former president himself, called Ono 'an accessible person, a person who leads with warmth, who leads with courage.' Fred Ridley, another UF trustee, implored the board to 'look past all the noise' and give Ono a fair shot. Even the terms of Ono's contract seemed tailored to calm critics. The $15.4 million deal included strict assurances that no university funds would be used for DEI initiatives and that Ono would hire only administrators aligned with 'Florida's approach to higher education.' As the final vote was tallied, audible gasps could be heard in the audience. Hosseini, visibly frustrated, whisked Ono away through a side door, escorted by police. When approached by reporters, Hosseini declined to take questions. Ono didn't look back. Back inside the conference room, Board of Governors Vice Chair Alan Levine, who voted against Ono and intensely scrutinized his political positions for nearly an hour during the meeting, offered a handshake to UF trustee Patrick Zalupski. Zalupski turned him down. 'You f—ed up, man,' Zalupski said. With UF now forced to restart its search for a new president — a costly, monthslong process — the stakes remain high. The university is still reeling from the brief-yet-turbulent tenure of Ben Sasse, who abruptly resigned in July only to be flagged later by state auditors for questionable spending. Sasse, a former U.S. Senator from Nebraska, was widely seen as a political pick ill-suited to run one of the nation's top research institutions. Interim president Fuchs' contract expires July 31, and while it may be extended, the university's leadership vacuum could disrupt strategic initiatives, fundraising, and academic momentum. Bernie Machen, who led UF from 2004 to late 2014, told the Miami Herald late Tuesday that university leadership is in a state of 'total confusion.' 'I think we're in a deep hole right now,' Machen said. 'Nobody has a clue about what's going to happen.'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
University of Florida presidential pick faces final vote amid growing GOP opposition
The Brief Dr. Santa J. Ono faces a final vote on Tuesday by the Florida Board of Governors before he can officially become the University of Florida's next president. Several Republican leaders have come out against Ono, saying he has a record of supporting DEI initiatives. Gov. Ron DeSantis has remained fairly neutral, saying the Board of Governors will "do their job." ORLANDO, Fla. - The University of Florida's pick to become the institution's president faces a critical final vote from the Florida Board of Governors as more Republicans come out against his appointment. The backstory Dr. Santa J. Ono served as president of the University of Michigan from October 2022 until May 2025, when the UF Board of Trustees unanimously approved his appointment to the post. PREVIOUS: Santa Ono named new president at University of Florida Ono holds a doctorate in experimental medicine and has also previously led the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati. He also brings a history of fighting for diversity programs, which gave some politicians pause because of the state's effort to end DEI programs at state universities. At Michigan, for example, Ono applauded the school's efforts to defend affirmative action in the U.S. Supreme Court. The other side Gov. Ron DeSantis has been a staunch critic of DEI initiatives and campus activism, which could work against Ono. Last week, Ono said he understood the parameters the state has set. "We have all seen what happens when universities are handed over to political activists and grievance entrepreneurs. America needs leaders grounded in scholarship, not ideology," Ono said. When asked about Ono last month, DeSantis said he wants the Florida Board of Governors to "do their job" and let the process play out. READ: International students face uncertainty as U.S. visa interviews halted "I think the folks that were involved in the search, after having interviewed him, spent time with him, it's their judgment that he's really kind of reached the limit on the campus leftism, and he would want to leave Michigan, where that is prevalent, to Florida, where it's frowned upon, because he wants to be more in line with what Florida is doing and our policies," DeSantis said. GOP critics of Ono's appointment to lead Florida's flagship university include U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, who represents Sarasota County. He denounced Ono's pick in a letter to the board, going so far as to call for a full investigation into his past comments, citing what Steube called a "history of discriminatorily charged comments." READ: Hillsborough County schools face state pressure over books under review Sen. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis also criticized Ono on social media, saying they have doubts about his record. "There's too much smoke with Santa Ono. We need a leader, not a DEI acolyte. Leave the Ann Arbor thinking in Ann Arbor," Patronis wrote. What's next The Florida Board of Governors is expected to vote on Tuesday. If approved, he would succeed Ben Sasse, who stepped down less than two years into the role. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Mariah Harrison, with additional details from previous FOX 13 News reports. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Former DEI supporter selected as University of Florida's new president
[Source] The University of Florida Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday to select Dr. Santa J. Ono as the university's 14th president, despite intense scrutiny from conservative activists who questioned his previous support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Who is Santa J. Ono? Ono previously served as president of the University of Michigan, the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati. A world-renowned vision researcher, he has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, among other prestigious organizations. However, his appointment faces significant opposition due to his past advocacy for DEI initiatives. Conservative activist Christopher Rufo, who serves on New College of Florida's board of trustees, found prior statements by Ono supporting DEI programs and reposted them online. U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds and Greg Steube also expressed opposition, with Steube writing about 'grave concerns' regarding Ono's 'woke politics.' Trending on NextShark: Despite the criticism, Ono received the support of anti-woke Gov. Ron DeSantis, who reportedly expressed trust in school officials. Board Chair Mori Hosseini, who has focused on improving the university's national standing, also endorsed Ono, saying he is 'precisely the right person' to be president at this time and that his values 'align perfectly with ours here in the great state of Florida.' What he's saying Ono has since renounced his previous DEI positions. 'Over time, I saw how DEI became something else — more about ideology, division and bureaucracy, not student success,' he wrote in a widely circulated op-ed. 'That's why, as president of the University of Michigan, I made the decision to eliminate centralized DEI offices and redirect resources toward academic support and merit-based achievement. It wasn't universally popular, but it was necessary. I stood by it — and I'll bring that same clarity of purpose to UF.' Trending on NextShark: Ono's appointment follows the search to replace Ben Sasse, the former Nebraska senator who resigned abruptly in July 2024 after serving little more than a year. Under the proposed contract, Ono would receive a $1.5 million annual base salary plus potential bonuses and $500,000 from UF Health, with duties including preventing money from being spent on DEI or activism. The Florida Board of Governors is expected to vote on his appointment next week. Trending on NextShark: This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Miami Herald
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Santa Ono selected to be next University of Florida president amid GOP opposition
May 29 (UPI) -- Dr. Santa J. Ono was selected to be the next president of the University of Florida as a group of Republicans has expressed disdain in regard to his candidacy. The UF Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to select Ono as the university's 14th president, sending the decision to be ratified by the Florida Board of Governors in a vote set for June 3. The decision drew criticism from Republican lawmakers representing the state who opposed Ono's perceived political ideology. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., posted to social media Tuesday that UF had "made a grave mistake" in its selection of Ono. "This is a step in the wrong direction. I strongly urge the [State University System of Florida] Board of Governors to reject his selection at next week's meeting. Florida is watching," he wrote. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., have also publicly spoken out against Ono's hiring, due to his past support of diversity, equity and inclusion practices. "Have the decision makers at UF lost their minds?" Donald Trump Jr., the son of President Donald Trump wrote on X Wednesday. "This woke psycho might be the perfect fit for a Communist school in California, but how is he even being considered for this role in Florida? Every single member of the Florida Board of Governors should vote against him!" Ono, however, explained his stance on DEI has shifted in an op-ed for Inside Higher Ed. "Like many, I supported what I believed to be the original intent of DEI -- ensuring equal opportunity and fairness for every student. That's something on which most everyone agrees. But over time, I saw how DEI became something else -- more about ideology, division and bureaucracy, not student access. That's why, as president of the University of Michigan, I made the decision to eliminate centralized DEI offices and redirect resources toward academic support and merit-based achievement. It wasn't universally popular, but it was necessary. I stood by it -- and I'll bring that same clarity of purpose to UF," he wrote. The UF Board of Trustees has expressed its confidence in Ono as the correct choice to lead the GOP opposition. "Santa Ono is precisely the right person to be president of the University of Florida at this moment in its history," UF Trustees Board Chair Mori Hossein said Tuesday. "He is a remarkably accomplished scholar and a solidly proven academic leader, and his values align perfectly with ours here in the great state of Florida." Ono has also received the backing of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who said earlier in May that he trusts "the people that were involved" who made Ono the candidate for UF president "They were trustees that I've appointed, that have performed exemplary for the state of Florida in those capacities," he said. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Santa Ono selected to be next University of Florida president amid GOP opposition
May 29 (UPI) -- Dr. Santa J. Ono was selected to be the next president of the University of Florida as a group of Republicans has expressed disdain in regard to his candidacy. The UF Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to select Ono as the university's 14th president, sending the decision to be ratified by the Florida Board of Governors in a vote set for June 3. The decision drew criticism from Republican lawmakers representing the state who opposed Ono's perceived political ideology. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., posted to social media Tuesday that UF had "made a grave mistake" in its selection of Ono. "This is a step in the wrong direction. I strongly urge the [State University System of Florida] Board of Governors to reject his selection at next week's meeting. Florida is watching," he wrote. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., have also publicly spoken out against Ono's hiring, due to his past support of diversity, equity and inclusion practices. "Have the decision makers at UF lost their minds? This woke pyscho might be ther perfect fit for a Communist school in California, but how is he even being considered for this role in Florida? Every single member of the Florida Board of Governors should vote against him!" Ono, however, explained his stance on DEI has shifted in an op-ed for Inside Higher Ed. "Like many, I supported what I believed to be the original intent of DEI -- ensuring equal opportunity and fairness for every student. That's something on which most everyone agrees. But over time, I saw how DEI became something else -- more about ideology, division and bureaucracy, not student access. That's why, as president of the University of Michigan, I made the decision to eliminate centralized DEI offices and redirect resources toward academic support and merit-based achievement. It wasn't universally popular, but it was necessary. I stood by it -- and I'll bring that same clarity of purpose to UF," he wrote. The UF Board of Trustees has expressed its confidence in Ono as the correct choice to lead the GOP opposition. "Santa Ono is precisely the right person to be president of the University of Florida at this moment in its history," UF Trustees Board Chair Mori Hossein said Tuesday. "He is a remarkably accomplished scholar and a solidly proven academic leader, and his values align perfectly with ours here in the great state of Florida." Ono has also received the backing of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who said earlier in May that he trusts "the people that were involved" who made Ono the candidate for UF president "They were trustees that I've appointed, that have performed exemplary for the state of Florida in those capacities," he said.
