The University of Florida announced Friday its decision to close its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, eliminate “DEI positions and administrative appointments” and terminate its contracts with external DEI vendors.
A university memo from the human resources department cites the Florida Board of Regents' regulations on “no spending” as motivation.
The rule, approved earlier this year, prohibits spending state or federal funds to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion. This follows a state law approved in May 2023 that also prohibits DEI spending.
HR's memo added:
University employees whose positions are eliminated at the direction of UF's Human Resources Department will receive UF's standard 12-week salary. These fellows are permitted and encouraged to apply for expedited consideration for a variety of positions currently posted at the University between now and Friday 19 April. UF's Human Resources will expedite the interview process and strive to provide a response to all applications within 12 weeks.
Additionally, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer will reallocate approximately $5 million in funds previously reported to Tallahassee for DEI costs, including salaries and expenses, to the Faculty Recruitment Fund, which will be administered by the Office of the Provost.
Finally, the University of Florida has and will remain steadfast in its commitment to universal human dignity. We will continue to foster a community of trust and respect for all members of the Gator Nation while carefully leveraging diverse ideas and perspectives to educate our students. The University of Florida is an elite institution because of its outstanding faculty who are dedicated to teaching, discovery, and service.
That news comes in about a week. college fix According to an exclusive investigative report, the University of Florida employs one administrator for every four undergraduate students, and some of the administrative overhead associated with the university's DEI initiatives include:
According to the most recent data, UF's DEI initiative consists of the equivalent of 24 full-time employees. DEI initiatives have cost the university $5.3 million, $3.3 million of which is funded by the state.
Chief Diversity Officer Marsha McGriff earned $300,000 annually as of November 2022, according to public records.
It is led by UF's former Republican senator, Ben Sasse, whose appointment was met with fierce opposition from faculty and students before he takes the helm in late 2022.
The anti-DEI state law was approved last year as part of an education reform package touted by the Republican governor. Ron DeSantis said public institutions “may not expend state or federal funds to promote, support, or sustain programs or campus activities that advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, or promote political or social activity.” “I participate.”
More: Florida drops sociology from created courses, bans DEI spending.
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