Exodus of Professors from Florida Universities Raises Concerns

A wave of departures by liberal-leaning professors from Florida’s esteemed public universities is causing a stir in the academic community. A significant number of faculty members, including prominent figures, are relinquishing their tenured positions, citing discontent with the state’s political climate.

Governor Ron DeSantis, who assumed office in 2019, is at the center of this controversy. Notably, Neil H. Buchanan, a renowned economist and tax law scholar, recently left the University of Florida, accusing the state of displaying “open hostility to professors and higher education more generally.” This departure comes merely four years after Buchanan’s recruitment.

In an exclusive interview with The New York Times, a dozen academics across various disciplines disclosed their decisions to leave Florida public universities, with many opting for blue states. While acknowledging the presence of numerous esteemed academics in the state, concerns were raised about the perceived untenability of Governor DeSantis’s policies for both scholars and students.

The University of Florida, responding to the growing concern, stated that its turnover rate remains below the national average of 10.57%, emphasizing that hiring has outpaced departures. Similar figures were reported by Florida State University and the University of South Florida.

However, data from several institutions indicates a noticeable uptick in departure rates. At the University of Florida, overall turnover increased from 7% in 2021 to 9.3% in 2023. A report from the University of Florida’s Faculty Senate highlighted the challenges faced by certain departments, such as the School of Arts, which struggles to attract and retain faculty and graduate students in the current political climate.

Departing faculty members pointed to the changing political landscape in Florida as a major factor influencing their decisions. Laws restricting discussions on gender and sexuality in elementary schools, coupled with state-sanctioned measures affecting transgender employees and students, were cited as key contributors to the growing discontent.

Walter Boot, a tenured psychology professor at Florida State University, cited a 2022 law as a turning point, limiting discussions on gender and sexuality in elementary schools and creating a hostile environment. He emphasized feeling uncomfortable and unsafe in his daily life.

The University of Florida’s law school has been particularly affected, experiencing a 30% faculty turnover rate this year. Professors attributed their departures to political interference and expressed concerns that the state’s reputation was dissuading potential faculty from joining.

Christopher Rufo, a conservative writer and activist appointed by the governor, celebrated the departures as a positive development, criticizing diversity programs and transgender medical care.

For some professors, the tipping point was the introduction of a review process for tenured faculty, viewed as a threat to academic freedom. Neil H. Buchanan, the economist who recently left, lamented the erosion of tenure, stating, “It’s tenure in name only at this point.”

As the academic community in Florida grapples with these significant departures, questions arise about the potential long-term impact on the state’s higher education system. The ramifications of this exodus may extend beyond academic circles, influencing the state’s reputation as a hub for education and research.

In the wake of this breaking news today, the debate intensifies over the balance between political ideologies and academic freedom, raising critical questions about the future of higher education in Florida.