University of Florida eliminates DEI office to comply with new state law

The University of Florida on Friday closed its diversity office and fired 13 full-time staffers to comply with a new state law that bans Sunshine State schools from spending on such ideologies.

“The University of Florida has closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, eliminated DEI positions and administrative appointments, and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors,” the memo issued by the university provost, the general counsel, and the vice president for human resources read.

The $5 million allocated for diversity, equity and inclusion will now be redistributed to faculty recruitment, it added.

The announcement comes in light of a 2023 statute prohibiting the university from spending state or federal funds on DEI initiatives, reported the Alligator, the school’s paper.

The statute was approved in its final form by the Florida Board of Governors on Jan. 24, the outlet added.

Employees whose positions were eliminated will receive 12 weeks of pay and will be encouraged to apply for other positions at the state university, according to its statement.

The memo did not touch on the future of the Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement, which received over $400,000 in the 2022-2023 UF operating budget – 85% of which came from the state, the Alligator noted.

The center includes officers for LGBTQ+, black, Asian and Hispanic student groups, according to its website.

Those who do seek new jobs at the university within the next three months will have their interviews fast-tracked.

“The University of Florida is — and will always be — unwavering in our commitment to universal human dignity,” the memo read. 

“As we educate students by thoughtfully engaging a wide range of ideas and views, we will continue to foster a community of trust and respect for every member of the Gator Nation.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who passed the law banning DEI in state schools, cheered the announcement on X.

“Florida is where DEI goes to die,” he wrote.