Higher Education

In Florida, and across America, higher education is facing unprecedented attacks — affecting what subjects can be taught, how university presidents can be ousted, whether various institutions will lose federal funding and if diversity and inclusion offices are even allowed to exist.It’s not just a battle. It’s an all-out war against the traditional norms of academia.President Donald Trump’s crusade against Harvard University and other colleges began in January 2025, but in Florida, where Republicans have long had a monopoly on power in a staunchly red state, that same war has already been underway for several years.

Santa Ono, who has led the University of Michigan since 2022, is the sole finalist to become president of the University of Florida, UF announced Sunday.A presidential-search committee recommended that the UF Board of Trustees approve Ono after a search that began last year following the abrupt resignation of former President Ben Sasse. Kent Fuchs, a former UF president, has served as interim president.

A conference to discuss effective support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is coming to Florida Gulf Coast University.

Senate President Ben Albritton on Monday suggested phasing out a decade-old law that allows some undocumented immigrant students, known as “dreamers,” to receive in-state tuition rates at Florida universities and colleges.Albritton addressed the issue during a media availability, after Sen. Randy Fine, R-Brevard County, this month filed a bill (SB 90) that would repeal the law. Albritton suggested a gradual approach that would take into account students who already receive the tuition benefit or who are making plans to attend colleges or universities at the cheaper in-state rates.While he did not propose a timeline for phasing out the law, Albritton suggested putting a “sunset” on it — a legislative term that usually involves setting a future date to end a law or program.

The chancellor of Florida’s university system is calling on schools to disband chapters of the group National Students for Justice in Palestine amid the war between Israel and Hamas.

Henry Mack, a former high-ranking state education official and nearly chosen as president of Florida Gulf Coast University earlier this year, was named interim president of Broward College on Tuesday. Mack, who previously was a chancellor at the Florida Department of Education overseeing the Division of Florida Colleges, was chosen to succeed former Broward College president Gregory Haile. Another selection made Tuesday, this one by the New College of Florida Board of Trustees, selected Interim President Richard Corcoran to become the small liberal-arts school’s leader on a permanent basis.

A notice posted on the Hodges University website Friday announced the closing of the Fort Myers school after 33 years of education services.