The University of Florida is getting rid of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office and employees.
In a statement the university’s provost, Dr. Scott Angle, said, “To comply with the Florida Board of Governor’s regulation 9.016 on prohibited expenditures, the University of Florida has closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, eliminated DEI positions and administrative appointments, and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors.
“Under the direction of UF Human Resources, university employees whose positions were eliminated will receive UF’s standard twelve weeks of pay.,” the statement continued.
Angle also said the school will “reallocate the approximately $5 million in funds previously reported to Tallahassee for DEI expenses, including salaries and expenditures — into a faculty recruitment fund.”
BREAKING: UF fired all staff in positions related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, effective immediately. pic.twitter.com/D5qMSmBKWN
— The Alligator (@TheAlligator) March 1, 2024
The statement insisted, “Finally, the University of Florida is – and will always be – unwavering in our commitment to universal human dignity. As we educate students by thoughtfully engaging a wide range of ideas and views, we will continue to foster a community of trust and respect for every member of the Gator Nation. The University of Florida is an elite institution because of our incredible faculty who are committed to teaching, discovering, and serving.”
The move was quickly celebrated on social media:
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) posted on X, “Florida is where DEI goes to die.”
Florida is where DEI goes to die… https://t.co/1PsGgHE6nP
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) March 1, 2024
Check out some of the other reactions below:
You can’t fight racism with more racism. Go Gators. https://t.co/bbjvXOARLg
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) March 1, 2024
This is absolutely phenomenal @GovRonDeSantis just fired all DEI employees effective immediately at the University of Florida. https://t.co/SllqgEUbKw
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 1, 2024
BREAKING: University of Florida has fired all employees related to DEI. The conservative counter-revolution has begun. pic.twitter.com/Lx0IAx0JHD
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) March 1, 2024
👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/sYE0IwfTQU
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) March 1, 2024
The move comes after the Florida Board of Governors voted to ban the use of state funds at public universities for DEI programs.
