Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently provided a significant update on his ongoing efforts to reform higher education in the state, touting the departure of professors he described as "Marxist." The governor made these comments during a speech at The Gathering conference in Atlanta, emphasizing his administration's success in reshaping Florida's education system to counter what he views as leftist indoctrination.
DeSantis did not shy away from framing the exodus of these professors as a positive outcome of his policies. “If Marxist professors are leaving the state of Florida, that is good for the state of Florida,” he declared, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience. This statement underscores the governor’s long-standing position that taxpayer dollars should not fund education systems that promote ideologies he sees as fundamentally opposed to American values.
I am a strong Ron DeSantis supporter and I can not fathom why any RD supporter would not vote and actively advocate for the Trump Vance ticket. The Trump policies are almost identical to DeSantis and the danger of four years of Marxist Komrade Kamala and Walz will permanently… https://t.co/uhbHrVhBGq
— Mark Straton (@mstraton2) August 21, 2024
Central to DeSantis’ education reforms has been the overhaul of the New College of Florida, which he described as a former "Marxist commune" that has been transformed into a classical liberal arts school. The governor appointed seven conservative trustees and a conservative president, who promptly eliminated the college's gender studies program. This move was part of a broader push to rid Florida's public universities of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which DeSantis argues have strayed from academic rigor and become platforms for ideological indoctrination.
In addition to restructuring New College, DeSantis highlighted other reforms, including a requirement that all tenured professors undergo review every five years, with the possibility of termination. This measure, he claims, is aimed at maintaining academic standards and ensuring that Florida’s higher education institutions remain aligned with the state’s values. Critics, however, argue that these changes are part of a broader strategy to undermine academic freedom and silence dissenting voices in academia.
Just wanted to set the record straight; Trump/VANCE is 1000% better than the 2 Marxist the DNC put up.
But I am NOT a MAGA Republican. I am a Reagan & DeSantis Republican.@benshapiro@glennbeck@SultanSantis@RonDeSantis@TheFloridaMike@FloridaGOP#NeverHarris#DeSantis2028 pic.twitter.com/uRTbT6A8lu— Robin (@squid6800) August 19, 2024
The impact of these reforms has been felt beyond New College. Faculty members across Florida have expressed concerns about the chilling effect these policies may have on their ability to teach controversial subjects, particularly those related to race and gender.
Some professors have altered their courses to avoid potential conflicts with the new regulations, while others have left the state altogether, fearing for their job security.
Despite the controversy, DeSantis remains undeterred. He views these changes as essential to preserving what he calls the "historic, traditional mission of higher education" in Florida. The governor has also promoted initiatives like the Bright Future scholarship program, which provides financial support to students based on academic merit, as part of his broader vision for a reformed education system.
DeSantis' education reforms have sparked a broader national conversation about the role of higher education in American society. As he continues to implement his vision, Florida’s universities are likely to remain at the center of this debate, with the potential for long-lasting implications not only for the state but for the country as a whole.
