Lawmakers Push Back on Politicization of State University Presidents

TALLAHASSEE — As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues to use his political power to reshape the state university system, some lawmakers are saying enough. DeSantis has been stacking trustee boards with political cronies who then often hire unqualified ideologues to run the universities at questionable salaries.

New College was the first school to famously undergo a makeover after the governor made it part of his "war on woke," a signature aspect of his failed presidential run. DeSantis vowed to turn it into the Hillsdale of the South, referring to a small, private, conservative, Christian college in Michigan. Despite his failed candidacy, DeSantis continued the methodology, training his sights on the state's flagship school, the University of Florida, and its only member of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Florida A&M University. 

University of Florida trustees selected Santa Ono as the next president. However, his nomination was denied by the State University System Board of Governors after the board grilled the highly qualified candidate for hours regarding his positions on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Last month, the DeSantis-friendly board of trustees at Florida A&M voted 8-4 to appoint Marva Johnson as the school’s 13th president. In the same meeting, they voted to increase her salary to as much as $750,000 to match Johnson’s requested compensation. It was unclear, however, whether the board could compel the school's foundation to allocate such a substantial amount toward the president's salary, which is capped at $200,000 by the state. 

This week, three Florida lawmakers who are products of the state university system issued the following "Joint Statement on the Politicization of Presidential Appointments in the State University System."

“As elected officials, law partners, and graduates of Florida universities, we are deeply disturbed by the troubling pattern emerging in the selection and appointment of university presidents across our state. The presidential appointments at Florida A&M University (FAMU), New College of Florida, Florida International University (FIU), and the University of Florida (UF) raise serious concerns about political interference and the erosion of academic independence in our higher education system.

“We are alarmed that these critical leadership decisions appear to be driven more by political ideology than by a commitment to academic excellence, equity, and the long-term success of our institutions. The rejection of Santa Ono as a finalist for the presidency at the University of Florida is particularly egregious. The Board of Governors hearing showed the primary reason for his disqualification was his previous support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) — a stance that should be recognized as a strength, not a disqualifier.

“By contrast, the recently appointed president of FAMU, Marva Johnson, was chosen by the Board of Trustees with clear political motives due to their involvements in politics, lobbying or otherwise. There was an outcry within FAMU with multiple student protests prior to and following her appointment. There is no regard for student or alumni opinion. The focus centered on shutting student protests down rather than listening.

“A similar outcry within the student body happened with the appointment of UF’s previous president, Ben Sasse, who was also selected with underlying right-wing political motives with no regard to qualifications in academia. Introducing Ben Sasse and the Governor’s “anti-WOKE” and “anti-DEI” ideologies destroyed UF’s reputation as a Top 5 public university and reduced the education quality and rigor of UF students – a situation that FAMU alumni and students do not want to see happen to their beloved university.

“This appointment, rather than reflecting the will of the Rattler community, appears to have been orchestrated behind closed doors—disregarding the voices of students, alumni, faculty, and staff who deserve a seat at the table. The politicization of this process undermines the very values FAMU stands for: excellence, accountability, and a legacy rooted in Black self-determination.

“Let us be clear—this is not about individual personalities; it’s about the process. A process that sidesteps meaningful engagement, that leans into political expediency over shared governance, is a betrayal of the trust our community places in its leadership.

“FAMU is more than a boardroom decision. It is a cultural institution, a beacon of hope, and a sacred space for generations of Black excellence. To handle its future with anything less than transparency and reverence is not only wrong—it’s dangerous.

“As Black women legislators, we traverse the political space in Florida every single day, knowing full well that spaces we occupy were not meant for us nor were we contemplated as occupants during their creation, so it is not with haste or pressure that we issue this statement. It is due to our commitment as legislators and law partners that we stand in solidarity to demand that our institutions are not tainted with political theatrics.

“Representative LaVon Bracy Davis, a proud alumna of the inaugural class of Florida A&M University College of Law, brings a deeply personal perspective to this moment. FAMU played a foundational role in her legal education and professional journey. The integrity of the university’s leadership is not just a policy issue. It is a matter of legacy, justice, and the continued empowerment of future generations.

“What we are witnessing at institutions like FAMU and UF are not isolated; it is part of a broader trend of political overreach that threatens the integrity, transparency, and independence of our higher education system.

“The Florida House of Representatives even voted in favor of a bill – HB 1321 introduced by Representative Michelle Salzman – to make the presidential search process by the Board of Governors more transparent and to include university students, faculty, and administration to be a part of the search committee. Governor DeSantis has shown his vehement opposition to this bill and refused to sign it into law, calling it “treacherous.”

“This growing politicization of our colleges and universities undermines the integrity of the presidential search process, marginalizes qualified candidates, and sends a chilling message to educators, students, and academic leaders across the country. These decisions threaten the foundation of Florida’s public higher education system, which should be guided by transparency, merit, and a commitment to preparing our students for a diverse and global future.

“We stand united in calling for transparent, fair, and inclusive presidential search processes that reflect the true mission of higher education — to cultivate knowledge, foster critical thinking, and serve the public good, free from political agendas. The people of Florida, especially our students, deserve leadership chosen for their vision, experience, and dedication to education — not their political alignment.

“We will continue to advocate for accountability, transparency, and academic freedom across Florida’s institutions. Our future depends on it.”

Representative Ashley V. Gantt (D-Miami), HD 109
Representative Michele K. Rayner (D-St. Petersburg), HD 62
Representative LaVon Bracy Davis (D-Ocoee), HD 40