The American Association of University Professors (AAUP), a long-time defender of higher education principles, faculty, academic freedom, and shared governance has released the full report of its investigation into the state of higher education in Florida and it is not pretty. A preliminary look at the findings had been released over the summer but the full report is a damning indictment of Governor DeSantis and the Legislature’s “politically and ideologically driven assault” on higher education, faculty, and institutions like New College, “unparalleled in US History.”
Indeed, the report notes that meaningful higher education in Florida may not survive. It also notes how college and university administrators have been silent while their own institutions, faculty, and students have been under siege. Sadly, at times they’ve even been complicit in the implementation of “policies that would severely restrict academic freedom and faculty and student rights.”
It is clear that no one is coming to our rescue. The only bulwark against these attacks is the collective strength of faculty unions. If you aren’t a member, join today to add to the collective voice pushing back against the political forces that wish to dismantle higher education, academic freedom, and intellectual freedom. As a member of FUSA you are also a member of state and national affiliates that are continually working to protect your rights and improve your economic and working conditions.
Read the Full Report
Political Interference and Academic Freedom in Florida’s Public Higher Education System – AAUP
Summary of findings
The preliminary report offered four main findings:
- The “hostile takeover” of New College is both a “test case” and a “blueprint for future encroachments on public colleges and universities across the country”;
- Academic administrators in Florida “not only have failed to contest” attacks on the system “but have too frequently been complicit in and, in some cases, explicitly supported them”;
- Legislation enacted by Governor DeSantis and the legislature, “taken collectively, constitutes a systematic effort to dictate and enforce conformity with a narrow and reactionary political and ideological agenda” and represents “a uniquely bold and dangerous program designed to reshape public higher education according to ideological and partisan political standards”; and
- “The chilling effect on academic freedom of the governor’s and legislature’s efforts has already been felt by faculty and students.”
Further Reading
- Florida higher education is in a ‘horrifying’ place, US faculty group says – Tampa Bay Times
- AAUP: DeSantis’s Florida Part of ‘Assault on Democracy Worldwide’ – Inside Higher Ed
Faculty United Service Association 