This month is the second anniversary of when Gov. Ron DeSantis began the transformation of New College of Florida into a bastion of right-wing conservatism.
It was January 2023, and the academic rhythms of this small liberal arts college in Sarasota were interrupted by what some would call a revolution, others a hostile takeover.
On Jan. 6, 2023, Gov. DeSantis appointed six new members to New College’s 13-member Board of Trustees, effectively packing the board with conservative allies. A seventh would join their ranks before the month was out, giving DeSantis a governing majority on the board without any prior warning or consultation with the existing college administration.
Six new trustees appeared on the scene like characters in a carefully orchestrated play. Christopher Rufo, the anti-Critical Race Theory crusader whose Twitter feed read like a manifesto against the modern academy. Matthew Spalding was imported from Hillsdale College like a philosophical Special Forces operator. The cast was rounded out with lawyers, think tank fellows, and true believers in DeSantis’s transformation agenda—
which would become a tenet of his failed presidential campaign. Only one, attorney Debra Jenks, was a New College alum.
DeSantis chief of staff James Uthmeier told the media, “It is our hope that New College of Florida will become Florida’s classical college, more along the lines of a Hillsdale of the South.”
“With these appointments, @GovRonDeSantis continues his quest to ensure higher education is a pursuit of truth and freedom, not woke indoctrination. Hillsdale of the South indeed!” tweeted Manny Diaz Jr., Florida’s education commissioner and DeSantis appointee.
BACKGROUND: In 2022, New College’s total enrollment was 689 students, two-thirds of which were female. The campus sits on 110 acres on Sarasota Bay in Sarasota. The college was known for its innovative educational model, which included a senior capstone/thesis requirement and a focus on interdisciplinary research and collaborative learning. New College was also recognized as the top public college in the nation for the percentage of its graduates who went on to earn PhDs.
Hillsdale College is a private, conservative liberal arts college in Hillsdale, Michigan. Founded in 1844, it is known for its classical liberal arts curriculum and its independence from government funding. Its enrollment was 1,678 students, with only 135 graduate students. Hillsdale College offers over 30 majors, with popular fields of study including economics, English, history, and politics. The college is known for its rigorous academic programs and commitment to teaching the principles of Western civilization and the American founding fathers.
WHAT HAPPENED
The first Board meeting on January 31, 2023, resulted in immediate and substantial changes to the college’s leadership. Hundreds of protesters with signs and chants outside the meeting fought for their college, but their concerns were ignored.
The board removed President Patricia Okker from her position and elevated Chief of Staff Bradley Thiessen to interim president. The board also initiated discussions with Richard Corcoran, Florida’s former Education Commissioner, regarding his potential appointment as full-time interim president. Adding to the institutional changes, Board Chair Mary Ruiz stepped down, with new trustee Debra A. Jenks assuming the leadership role.
The new leadership also proposed programmatic changes, particularly regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Trustee Christopher Rufo advocated for the dissolution of the Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence, while fellow trustee Mark Bauerlein expressed strong criticism of existing DEI programs.
DeSantis asked the Florida Legislature to increase New College’s 2023-24 budget by $15 million, with $10 million recurring annually, to facilitate this agenda. The funds would be earmarked for new faculty and scholarships, but everyone knew they represented something more: the price tag of institutional metamorphosis.
- The financial commitment stood in stark contrast to typical state higher education funding patterns, where incremental changes are more common.
Former House Speaker and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran was hired as New College’s president. His salary includes:
- Annual base salary: $699,000
- Performance bonus: Up to $200,000 annually
- Retention bonus: $200,000 after the third year, $100,000 for years four and five.
In April 2024, Corcoran received a $200,000 performance bonus for his first year, bringing his total compensation for that year to approximately $900,000.
Corcoran’s compensation package makes him one of the highest-paid university presidents in Florida despite New College being the smallest state university with around 700 students. His salary is more than double that of his predecessor, Patricia Okker, who earned $305,000.
- The most recent data from 2023 shows the salary for the University of West Florida’s president, Dr. Martha Saunders, is $233,166.26. More than 14,700 students enrolled at UWF for the Fall 2024.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The UWF Board of Trustees has eight new members. Three were appointed by the State Board of Governors, and six by Gov. DeSantis.
Featured photo Licensed under the Unsplash+ License
