New College: A Battleground for Conservatism
I never fully prepared for the attack on academic freedom at New College, a liberal arts college in Sarasota, Florida, where I spent the past four years studying. Despite the turmoil at Florida State, many of my classmates and I felt that DeSantis' culture war politics didn't affect our school, particularly for queer, trans, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC students. However, the new conservative leadership has been vague about upcoming changes, leaving us feeling unsure and on thin ice.
Governor DeSantis has pushed hard for change at New College. He appointed a new board, a new interim president, and let go of influential departments devoted to diversity and inclusion. In the last few weeks, we announced the replacement of our provost, who advocated for conservative values where they weren't popular. Many students who viewed New College as a sanctuary now feel unwelcome.
The acting president often talks about the wonderful things he wants to do for New College, but he also penned a letter to donors and alumni defining the college as "Orwellian" and manipulative. This implies dividing the world into oppressors and oppressed.
It's disheartening for the college's future as an academic and cultural oasis. Students are exhausted and afraid. Many of us are trying to make it through this likely last "normal" semester at a school we love dearly.
When people ask me why I chose New College, I usually say I wanted a small, academically rigorous school with around 700 students. But it's more than that.
High school was tough; my classmates wore confederate flags as T-shirts, and during my first year, my peers drew swastikas on my desk corners while I wasn't looking. I didn't believe it was directed at me, but it showed how normalized their hate-filled behavior had become. My high school had a tolerance for the LGBTQ-student club, but that tolerance wasn't strong enough to prevent students from bullying others.
New College offered a breath of fresh air, sparking a passion for education I never felt in high school. It taught me that I didn't have to compromise my identity to pursue the education I deserved. My full identity could support my educational journey and interests, something I could not separate from myself.
In response to the controversy over diversity initiatives, DeSantis' appointee, Chris Ruffo, mentioned in January that the efforts at the New School to promote diversity, equality, and inclusivity were generating a "Orwellian" atmosphere and manipulating the system.
Contrary to Ruffo's critique, diversity initiatives are an integral part of a quality education. Meeting different people and perspectives broadens students' horizons. The ultimate goal of higher education is expanding one's perspective. Misrepresenting these concepts or weaponizing them in a culture war where New College has no place only weakens the interests of students.
DeSantis and his allies pushing conservative changes in New College's governance are against diversity, fairness, and inclusion. They are actively advocating against the values that make New College a great place for four years.
In my final year at New College, it's been a special time. I'm the editor-in-chief of our student newspaper, Catalyst, and have had extensive, academic, and thorough training. But who knows how long it lasts?
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A friend recently told me that the New College we know is already dead. I hope they're mistaken. I hope it will return someday to being a university where students can receive an education without interference from influential individuals or organizations unconcerned with their well-being beyond political opportunism.
(Enrichment Data)
After the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, Florida governor Ron DeSantis crossed paths with New College of Florida, an independent, liberal arts institution in Sarasota with a reputation for academic rigor and freedom. In 2021, DeSantis decided to seize the college and transform it into a state-controlled conservatives' project, installing Richard Corcoran as its president[5].
President Corcoran, a former education commissioner, drew criticism for his conservative views and the toxic culture he brought to New College[6]. Corcoran implemented sweeping curricular and administrative changes, focusing on Western civilization studies, eliminating the office of diversity and inclusion, and dismissing prominent professors[5].
DeSantis appointed a new board to replace the old one, which sparked controversy for its lack of expertise in higher education[5]. Chris Ruffo, a member of the new board, described the diversity initiative at the New School as "Orwellian" and manipulative in his January 2023 address, angering many faculty, alumni, and students[6].
These changes have led to a public backlash, with students and faculty expressing concerns about academic freedom, curricular diversity, and the future of the college[1][3]. The United Faculty of Florida (UFF), the college's faculty union, denounced the changes as an "assault on public education" and called for a more inclusive and transparent governance process[1].
Additionally, there are rumors that New College may take over the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus, which could amplify its influence in the Florida education system[5]. Some students, faculty, and alumni view this potential acquisition as another blow to New College's autonomy and academic freedom.
In April 2023, former New College professor and civil rights activist Dr. Harry Williams filed a lawsuit against President Corcoran, DeSantis, and other officials, alleging they violated the Florida Constitution and state law by interfering with the college's self-governance, which has been protected since 1965[1].
In conclusion, New College's tumultuous journey under DeSantis has been marked by dissent, controversy, and legal battles. President Corcoran's conservativism, curriculum changes, and dismissal of leading professors have led to a wave of backlash from students, faculty, and alumni. The scholarship and progress at New College, which prides itself on academic freedom, diversity, and intellectual rigor, remain under threat.
