By PRFSU Writers 2023-2024 By: Olivia Klepk
Photo Credit: WJXT News4JAX
On January 24th, the Florida Board of Governors voted to remove “Principles of Sociology” as a general education core course and to prohibit the funding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs using state and federal funds. This decision applies to all Florida public universities and colleges.
The board’s decision follows a recent bill passed in the state. SB 266 prohibits “specified educational institutions from expending funds for certain purposes” and revises “how general education core courses are established.”
Having met in Florida State University’s very own Student Union, the board debated Regulations 8.005 to remove sociology as a general education course and 9.016 to restrict funding to DEI programs, both extensions of SB 266. They heard public comments before making their decision.
Florida House Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D- 42) made an appearance at the meeting to oppose the regulations. “I took sociology as a general education course,” said Eskamani, “[t]he skills you learn in sociology are transferable to any field that you go into.”
The American Association of University Professors took to social media following the decision, posting that the “decision to remove sociology from Florida’s core curriculum is a tragic blow to students’ intellectual freedom.” However, Timothy M. Cerio, a member of the board, said otherwise, “[t]here’s this idea that sociology is being cut from the curriculum. It is not. If there is a demand for sociology in the schools, those demands will be met.”
The issue of funding DEI programs across public campuses using state and federal funds was another topic discussed that Wednesday afternoon. Joe Saunders is the Senior Political Director of Equality Florida, Florida’s LGBTQ advocacy center. Saunders spoke in opposition to Regulation 9.016 stating, “it intimidates, threatens, and in some cases eliminates multicultural student centers, Jewish Student Unions, Black Student Unions, Hispanic Student Unions, and of course LGBTQ Student Unions.”
The board disagreed with these sentiments, saying their mission is not to prevent any organizations or programs from existing across Florida campuses. Board Vice Chair Alan Levine noted, “it was said we were banning student organizations, and that’s not a fair statement.”
Prior to the regulation, DEI programs were supported through taxpayers dollars via state and federal funds. Regulation 9.016 changes how these programs receive money, which now must occur through other means, such as student activity fees and student government funds.
It is unclear how SB 266 will impact the structure of other general education core courses or the future of funding for various programs on Florida campuses.
The Florida Board of Governors is made up of seventeen members, fourteen of whom are appointed by the Governor of Florida. They have future meetings scheduled throughout the year, which can be found on their website. Their January 24th meeting, as well as other past meetings, can be viewed in their website’s archives.