New College's Changing Climate: A Battle for Academic Diversity
I never anticipated the assault on academic liberty at New College, a prestigious liberal arts school located in Sarasota, Florida, which I've had the privilege of attending for the past four years. Despite the upheaval at Florida State, many of my peers and I believed that Desantis' culture war politics didn't impact our campus, particularly for LGBTQ+, queer, trans, and BIPOC students. However, the new conservative governance remains vague about their intentions, leaving us feeling uncertain and somehow vulnerable.
Desantis has made no secret of his desire to change New College. He appointed a new board, an interim president, and ousted influential departments dedicated to equality and inclusion. In the past few weeks, we announced the departure of our provost, an advocate for conservative values, leaving many students feeling unwelcome.
The newly appointed president is passionate about the positive changes he can bring to New College, but in a recent letter to donors and alumni, he described the campus as "Orwellian" and manipulative. This remark implies dividing the world into oppressors and oppressed.
This discourse is unsettling for the college's future as an academic and cultural haven. Students are weary and scared. Many of us are struggling to complete this final "normal" semester at a school we deeply cherish.
When people ask why I chose New College, I typically respond by mentioning the small, academically rigorous school with only 700 students. But it's more than that.
High school was a struggle. My classmates wore Confederate flags as T-shirts, and during my first year, my peers drew swastikas on my desk corners when I wasn't looking. I felt unbothered by these acts of hatred, but it served as a chilling reminder of how normalized anti-LGBTQ+ behavior had become. My high school offered some tolerance for the LGBTQ student club, but it couldn't prevent bullying.
New College offered a breath of fresh air, reigniting my passion for education that I had never felt in high school. It taught me that I could embrace my full identity and pursue the education I deserved without compromising. My identity defied separation from my academic journey and interests.
After the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis became involved in New College of Florida, an independent liberal arts institution with a reputation for academic rigor and freedom. In 2021, DeSantis decided to take control of the college and turn it into a conservative project, appointing Richard Corcoran as its president.
President Corcoran, a former education commissioner, faced accusations of being hyper-conservative and fostering a toxic environment at New College. He enacted sweeping changes to the curriculum, eliminated the office of diversity and inclusion, and removed prominent professors. The appointment of a new board deprived of expertise in higher education stirred controversy.
DeSantis' appointee, Chris Ruffo, criticized diversity initiatives in January 2023, labeling them "Orwellian" and manipulative. However, diversity programs are crucial components of a quality education. Interacting with various perspectives expands students' horizons, which is the ultimate goal of higher education. Misrepresenting or weaponizing these concepts only serves to hurt students' interests in the culture war.
DeSantis and his conservative allies are against diversity, justice, and inclusion. They are actively fighting against the values that make New College an exceptional school.
As I enter my final year at New College, I serve as editor-in-chief of our student newspaper, Catalyst, and have undergone rigorous training. But who knows how much longer it lasts?
An acquaintance recently told me that the New College we once knew is already lost. I hope they're mistaken. I hope that someday, our college will be a university where students can acquire an education without influence from powerful individuals or organizations that only consider their own interests beyond political opportunism.
Enrichment Data
Governor Desantis' attempts to remake New College of Florida, a nationally recognized liberal arts institution in Sarasota, have sparked concerns about academic freedom, diversity, and inclusivity. A summary of its ongoing state and future implications is as follows:
Current State
- Desantis appointed a new trustee board, a new interim president, and fired influential departments that promoted diversity and inclusion.
- DeSantis and his allies imposed the "Stop W.O.K.E." Act, restricting professors from voicing disreputed perspectives in university classrooms.
- The Florida Board of Governors banned using state and federal funds for DEI programs, reducing diversity and inclusion efforts in state universities, including New College.
- DeSantis proposed transferring the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and other resources to New College, increasing its control and resources, but potentially causing backlash from other stakeholders.
Future Implications
- Reduced academic programs and variety of courses promoting critical thinking and inclusivity.
- Lower student engagement and faculty morale due to policy limitations.
- Further politicization of the institution, threatening academic integrity.
- Potential acquisition of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus, amplifying influence in the Florida education system, but potentially causing controversy and resistance.
In conclusion, Governor Desantis' conservative changes at New College of Florida, a liberal arts college known for academic freedom, diversity, and intellectual rigor, are under attack. The college's scholarship and progress continue to face threats due to the conservative makeover, curricular modifications, and dismissals of leading professors.
