University of Florida Archives - The Florida Capital Star

DeSantis Admin Orders Universities Remove Pro-Palestine Student Orgs for Openly Supporting ‘Terrorism’

October 26, 2023October 25, 2023 Florida Capital Star Staff

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration ordered two major universities in Florida to remove Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters from campus Wednesday, citing the organizations’ support for “terrorism.”

Multiple student organizations at elite colleges and universities signed open letters or held rallies in support of Palestinians following the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, including the University of Florida and the University of South Florida. The chancellor of Florida’s university system, Ray Rodrigues, called on the colleges to disband SJP chapters Tuesday following their declaration of support for Palestinians, alleging they violated Florida’s antisemitism laws.

Loyola Marymount President Blasts DeSantis in Op-Ed, Praises Woke Students for ‘Indoctrinating Us’

June 14, 2023June 13, 2023 Admin

Loyola Marymount University President Timothy Law Snyder recently wrote an op-ed for the Miami Herald arguing Ron DeSantis is on the losing end of the woke battle in education since most students today are already socially liberal by the time they enter college.

Snyder suggests that DeSantis is out of touch with undergraduates, stating, “Has DeSantis met the college students of the year 2023? If he has, he has somehow missed entirely their makeup and conviction.”

New Florida Law Forces Universities to Vastly Expand Constitutional Curriculum, Civic Literacy

June 6, 2023June 5, 2023 Admin

Florida’s three largest universities must vastly expand their instruction on constitutional principles under a new law recently signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The new law refocuses three already established academic centers at Florida State, University of Florida and Florida International University, retooling them with an emphasis on nurturing patriotism and western-democratic thought through active instruction.

University of Florida Reports Significant Increase in Trans-Identifying Students, Sex Change Treatments in Response to DeSantis Audit

March 7, 2023March 6, 2023 Admin

University of Florida (UF) health centers reported an uptick in the number of transgender patients, fulfilling a request by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration in January, UF student newspaper the Independent Florida Alligator reported.

The Florida Office of Policy and Budget sent a memo to university leaders on Jan. 11 demanding reports about the number of patients treated for gender dysphoria at affiliated health centers. UF Health reported an increase in sex change treatments including puberty blocker prescription, hormone therapy, surgery and behavioral services at its various clinics since 2018, according to the reports obtained by the Alligator.

University of Florida Bans Protests Inside Campus Buildings Ahead of Vote to Appoint Sen. Sasse President

October 31, 2022October 30, 2022 Admin

In response to a recent protest during which students took over a campus building, shouted and banged on doors, University of Florida has pledged to enforce a ban on indoor demonstrations as the Board of Trustees meets next week to appoint Republican Sen. Ben Sasse as president.

Current UF President Kent Fuchs stated in a letter to students that those who violate a long-standing campus regulation that “no demonstrations are permitted inside university buildings” will face disciplinary action under the Student Conduct Code.

University of Florida Students, Faculty Protest Sasse Appointment over Gay Marriage Stance

October 12, 2022October 11, 2022 Just the News

University of Florida students and faculty are protesting the appointment of Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) as president of the school because of his positions on same-sex marriage.

During a question-and-answer session that Sasse attended on Monday at the university, protestors claimed the senator’s stance on same-sex marriage makes him an unsuitable choice for being the university’s president, The Hill reported.

University of Florida Students Melt Down over Ben Sasse Considering Leadership Role

October 11, 2022October 11, 2022 Florida Capital Star Staff

Hundreds of students at the University of Florida (UF) disrupted a forum for Republican Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, the only current contender for the school’s next president, with protests Monday over a previous statement he made regarding a same-sex marriage law.

“The Supreme Court once again overstepped its Constitutional role by acting as a super-legislature and imposing its own definition of marriage on the American people rather than allowing voters to decide in the states,” Sasse said in a 2015 statement in opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision to enshrine same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges. The Nebraska Republican is reportedly retiring from Congress to pursue a career in academia, according to a former aide.

After Unanimous Vote, Nebraska U.S. Senator Ben Sasse on Track to Become University of Florida President

October 10, 2022October 9, 2022 Florida Capital Star Staff

Nebraska Senator Dr. Ben Sasse will potentially be stepping down from his office to become the next University of Florida (UF) president.

On Thursday, UF, located in Gainseville, announced that its Presidential Search Committee unanimously voted to recommend Senator Sasse to the Board of Trustees for the “13th president of the University of Florida.”

GOP Sen. Sasse Expected to Resign from the Senate: Report

October 6, 2022 Just the News

Nebraska Republican Sen. Ben Sasse is expected to step down in favor an educational role.

Politico reports that the senator would then become the next president of the University of Florida.

Ron DeSantis Comes Out Against Chinese Buying Land in Florida

July 26, 2022July 26, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Last Friday night on Fox News’ Ingraham Angle, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called out China for buying up large tracts of property around the country, particularly in Florida.

The Communist Party Rebrands Itself at the University of Florida as the ‘Future of Leftism and Communalism’

May 2, 2022May 1, 2022 Florida Capital Star Staff

The Communist Party at the University of Florida (UF) has officially “come back” after disbanding following the Student Government spring elections.

The party announced the “renewal” of the group in an Apr. 10 Instagram post labeled “Letter on the Return of the UF Communist Party.”

DeSantis to Authorize Hamilton Center for Teaching the ‘Foundations of Western and American Civilization’

April 4, 2022April 3, 2022 Florida Capital Star Staff

The University of Florida is set to receive $3 million to establish its Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education.

“The purpose of the center is to support teaching and research concerning the ideas, traditions, and texts that form the foundations of western and American civilization,” the amendment to Florida’s SB 2524 reads, granting the authorization to the public university.

University of Florida Report: Omicron Will Peak Around Mid-January in Florida

January 11, 2022January 10, 2022 Grant Holcomb

New findings from the University of Florida (UF) show the omicron variant’s sweep through Florida will likely peak around mid-January 2022. The findings also showed the newest variant will likely result in fewer deaths due to being the least severe of the COVID variants.

University of Florida President Kent Fuchs Announces Final Year at Helm

January 6, 2022January 5, 2022 Grant Holcomb

University of Florida President Kent Fuchs announced in a video that he is planning on stepping down from his current position in 2023. Fuchs desires to return to the classroom and be a professor.

The University of Florida Launches Investigation into Possible COVID Data Destruction

December 14, 2021December 13, 2021 Grant Holcomb

The University of Florida is launching an internal investigation after a report came out showing a culture of fear, political influence, and pressure to destroy COVID-related research data. Vice President of UF Research David Norton made the announcement last week by email.

University of Florida Backtracks, Permits Professors to Testify

November 7, 2021November 7, 2021 Grant Holcomb

The University of Florida has completely backtracked on its policy to prevent three professors from testifying in a state legal challenge. The university originally said the professors’ testimony would be a conflict of interest given the university is funded by state dollars.

University of Florida Professors Fighting School’s Testifying Pro Bono Order

November 4, 2021November 3, 2021 Grant Holcomb

Three University of Florida professors are going to be fighting their employer’s order over testifying in a State of Florida election integrity law challenge. UF previously banned them altogether from testifying but backtracked their position and said they would permit the professors to testify if they remained unpaid.

“Prohibiting professors from giving standard expert testimony, and instead only allowing pro bono testimony, undermines their credibility as expert witnesses and chills their speech,” said the attorneys representing the professors.

Florida Judge Clears Pathway for Possible Lawsuit Against University of Florida

October 20, 2021October 19, 2021 Grant Holcomb

Florida Judge Monica Brasington refused to dismiss a potential class-action lawsuit against the University of Florida which says the school should refund the fees to students who were forced to study from home during the COVID-induced school year.

If it is considered a class action lawsuit, then Anthony Rojas’ lawsuit against the university, would likely affect tens of thousands of students who were forced to study and learn from home when the university shut campus down during the pandemic.

‘Communist Party’ at the University of Florida Contested Student Government Elections on ‘Labor Army,’ Abolition, Critical Race Theory Platform

October 11, 2021October 10, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

For the first time in school history, the Communist Party at the University of Florida ran for student government using that name during the fall 2021 election.

The party ran 12 students under its banner slated in various races. The party participated in last fall’s election under the name of the Progressive Party and announced in March its plans to “reinvent” itself. declaring its “Socialist Party” name would become “Communist Party” for the Fall 2021 Election.

Alachua County Officials’ Request to Impose Mask Mandates Rejected by University of Florida and Santa Fe College

September 14, 2021September 13, 2021 Grant Holcomb

Alachua County officials have called upon the University of Florida (UF) and Santa Fe College (SFC) to mandate masks for all students, faculty, and staff. The higher education institutions have rejected the request from the county commissioners.

Alachua County sent a letter to UF and SFC, located within Alachua County, last week asking them to join the county, the county school board, and the City of Gainesville in an effort to be of one accord in mandating masks.

Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees Leaving Florida Department of Health

August 28, 2021August 27, 2021 Grant Holcomb

Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees is leaving his post at the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). Rivkees has been with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration since 2019 and led the FDOH since the COVID pandemic began in Florida in March 2020.

“We thank Dr. Rivkees for his meaningful work during the most challenging pandemic of our lifetime. We appreciate his service to the people of Florida and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said DeSantis’ press secretary Christina Pushaw to Florida Politics.

Florida Researchers Say COVID Cases Will Peak by End of August

August 15, 2021August 14, 2021 Grant Holcomb

Scientists at the University of Florida developed a model which says Florida’s delta variant of COVID has not yet peaked, but the future of the pandemic could be similar to flu seasons where booster shots might be normal.

Ira Longini, Ph.D. and Thomas Hladish’s model says the high transmissibility of the delta variant is the cause of the increase in cases, but they are not able to forecast the pandemic past December 2021.

University of Florida Spends $38k on ‘Anti-Racist’ Training that Discourages ‘All Lives Matter’

March 15, 2021March 14, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

The University of Florida spent $38,000 on a new diversity, equity, and inclusion training for students that is “not a requirement,” but has a due date.

The training is similar to those that students take relating to alcohol, drug usage, and sexual harassment. Within the diversity training, students are prompted to take quizzes, watch videos, and read about different issues relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This new course is part of the university’s wider anti-racism initiative that includes removing its “gator bait” chant, and reviewing name changes for various buildings as well as monuments across campus, according to The Alligator.

University of Florida Professor Indicted over Undisclosed China Ties

February 10, 2021February 9, 2021 Florida Capital Star Staff

A professor at the University of Florida has been indicted on charges of wire fraud and failure to disclose his ties to China. The professor obtained a $1.75 million federal grant from the National Institutes of Health.

According to the Department of Justice, the professor, Lin Yang had not only received support from the Chinese government but also promoted his own company in China to conduct research “supported by millions of dollars of U.S. government funding.”