Last Friday, the University of West Florida Faculty Senate passed a resolution–12 in favor, 5 opposed, 3 abstentions–not supporting State Sen. Don Gaetz for UWF president and recommending the UWF Presidential Search Committee and UWF Board of Trustees select one of three remaining finalists instead.
The Florida State University Faculty Senate passed a similar resolution two years ago that opposed the selection of another state lawmaker, John Thrasher, for its president. Like Gaetz, Trasher was the only one of the four finalists that had never worked in higher education.
According to its resolution, the UWF Faculty Senate based its decision on Gaetz on the senator’s remarks during his initial interview and his past political and professional positions and actions, which they felt were “incompatible with the academic mission and educational initiatives of UWF.” Read Florida Politico.
The UWF Board of Trustees makes its selection on Sept. 15.
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BTW: Thrasher was selected FSU president and holds the job today.