Professors from across the country have long been lured to Florida’s public colleges and universities, with the educators attracted to the research opportunities, student bodies, and the warm weather.
But for a swath of liberal-leaning professors, many of them holding highly coveted tenured positions, they’ve felt increasingly out of place in the Sunshine State. And some of them are pointing to the conservative administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as the reason for their departures, according to The New York Times.
DeSantis, who was elected to the governorship in 2018 and was easily reelected last fall, has over the course of his tenure worked to put a conservative imprint on a state where moderation was once a driving force in state politics. In recent years, DeSantis has railed against the current process by which tenure is awarded, and with a largely compliant GOP-controlled legislature, he’s imposed conservative education reforms across the state.
I get why they’re doing it,
But what exactly do they think is going to happen when those highly coveted positions get filled by people complacent or supportive of DeSantis’ agenda?
I mean, to the professors themselves? Nothing. To the university system? Arguably, what the people of Florida want and deserve
It’s nice to say one would stay on principle and try and change things /fight back, but in reality, it’s a huge emotional and professional drain, especially on families. I’ve personally drawn a line at applying for positions in Florida
That said, I’ve got a number of friends who work as professors in Florida and they haven’t given any indication this affects them, or they’re even remotely interested in leaving. Professors have high mobility and move often, especially if they have a competing (better) offer. The turnover rate only increased by 2% in the last year, according to the article…
Try considering the polling places per capita of blue versus red counties and several other kinds of voter suppression before you go victim blaming millions of people.
The university system in Florida will get worse? Why should professors feel obligated to try to save Florida’s higher ed system?