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10h ago

Florida Trustees Approve Santa Ono as Next UF President over Conservative Objections

He has rejected diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at UF after critics targeted his past views.

Santa Ono attends a Faculty Forum while visiting the University of Florida on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Gainesville. His appointment as the school's next president is pending approval by the Florida Board of Governors.
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Overview

  • The University of Florida Board of Trustees voted unanimously on May 27 to appoint Santa Ono as the university’s next president.
  • His confirmation now heads to the Florida Board of Governors, which is scheduled to vote on June 3 and has never turned down a presidential nominee since 2003.
  • Conservative figures including Donald Trump Jr., Reps. Greg Steube and Byron Donalds, and activist Christopher Rufo have urged the Board of Governors to reject Ono over his previous support for DEI programs and climate action.
  • Ono has pledged institutional neutrality on climate change, promising not to promote personal beliefs on politically contested issues at UF.
  • If approved, his proposed starting salary of $1.5 million would be the highest among Florida’s state university presidents.