The University of Florida announced last week that it has closed its Office of the Chief Diversity Officer in compliance with a new state policy championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in his battle against “wokeness” in education. The policy, enacted last year, prohibits state universities from allocating funds for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
The university disclosed in a March 1 announcement that it had terminated positions related to diversity, equity and inclusion, along with administrative appointments, and had ceased contracts with external vendors focused on DEI.
In a memo from the provost, general counsel and human resource vice president, it was stated that employees affected by the eliminations would receive 12 weeks of pay and were encouraged to apply for other roles within UF. The university pledged to expedite the interview process for these applicants and provide responses within the 12-week time frame.
The memo also mentioned the redirection of $5 million, previously designated for diversity expenses, toward faculty recruitment. It emphasized the university’s commitment to universal human dignity and fostering a community of trust and respect for all members of the “Gator nation.”
The University of Florida appointed its first chief diversity officer in 2018, citing the need to address historical challenges in welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds. The diversity office played a pivotal role in crafting a three-year strategic plan for inclusive excellence, initiating mentoring programs for underrepresented students and organizing celebrations for heritage months.
While the university underscored its dedication to these values, the move to close the diversity office reflects a response to state policy prohibiting such expenditures. It remains unclear how other public universities in Florida have responded to similar challenges, but instances of pausing searches for chief diversity officers and issues with diversity web pages have been noted at other institutions, including the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida.
New College of Florida took a similar step in February 2023 by eliminating its diversity office, coinciding with changes in the board of trustees following appointments by DeSantis.