The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) has formally opposed Governor Ron DeSantis’ appointment of Scott Yenor to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees. In a strongly worded letter dated March 14, BCC Chairman Michael Kohler urged the Florida Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections to reject Yenor’s appointment.
Background: At its March 6 meeting, Commissioners Kohler, Steven Barry, Ashley Hofberger and Lumon May —all UWF graduates—spoke in support of the university and its president, Dr. Martha Saunders, after Save UWF spoke during the public forum. Kohler agreed to draft a letter, which will be voted on at the board’s meeting on Tuesday, March 25.
Why this matters: The BCC chairman highlighted UWF’s current achievements, noting it ranks among the top 10 public universities in the South according to U.S. News and World Report, stands first in Florida for veterans, and leads the state in graduate employment rates. He estimates the university’s economic impact in the eight-county region at $1.5 billion.
CONCERNS ABOUT NOMINEE
Speaking for the board, Kohler raised the commissioners’ multiple objections to Yenor’s appointment, including:
- His Idaho residency and unfamiliarity with the UWF campus
- His public statements regarding women, which the commissioners characterized as bigoted
- His views that only men should pursue higher education and careers
- Alleged antisemitic commentary that conflicts with UWF’s connections to prominent Jewish donors, including the late Fred Levin and the Bear Family Foundation
POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES
Commissioners fear Yenor’s appointment could lead to a 25% enrollment drop within five years, a reduction in female administrators and faculty, an elimination of archaeology, sociology, humanities, and arts programs, and negative economic impacts on local businesses and residential complexes near campus.
- The letter cited Marcia Pace Lindstrom’s March 6 appearance before the BCC, where she argued against the appointment with the rationale: “If it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it in the wrong way.”
While acknowledging West Florida as “a stalwart bastion of conservative thought,” Kohler expressed that residents feel “betrayed by the unexpected effort to foist Mr. Yenor upon us” and requested support for their “mission to Save UWF.”
The letter was copied to UWF President Dr. Martha Saunders, whose leadership was praised in the commission’s arguments against the appointment.
Read Kohler Letter
Save UWF Update
Yesterday’s Board of Trustees meeting went without incident. Several citizens voiced their support for UWF and Saunders. The FHP officers sent to beef up security weren’t needed.
Save UWF is working on its next steps. Check their website for updates.