University of Florida’s potential new president Santa Ono faces fierce opposition from Republican lawmakers concerned about his DEI history and handling of campus protests at the University of Michigan.
At a Glance
- Santa Ono, unanimously approved by UF’s Board of Trustees, awaits final confirmation from Florida’s Board of Governors
- Leading Republicans including Sen. Rick Scott oppose Ono’s appointment, citing concerns about his past DEI advocacy
- Critics point to Ono’s handling of pro-Palestine protests at the University of Michigan, where Jewish students felt threatened
- Ono has defended himself, stating he dismantled DEI initiatives at Michigan after realizing they were divisive
- If confirmed, Ono would be the only new Florida public university president not connected to the governor’s office or former Republican lawmakers
Republican Opposition Mounts Against Ono
Several prominent Republican lawmakers have voiced strong opposition to Santa Ono becoming the next president of the University of Florida. U.S. Senator Rick Scott has urged the Florida Board of Governors to reject Ono’s candidacy, expressing concerns about Ono’s ability to protect Jewish students. U.S. Representatives Greg Steube, Byron Donalds, and Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis have joined in opposing the appointment, pointing to Ono’s past support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The University of Florida’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved Ono’s hire in May, but the final decision rests with the Florida Board of Governors, who are expected to vote on the matter in mid-June. Ono’s selection marks a departure from Florida’s recent pattern of appointing university presidents with direct ties to Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration or former Republican lawmakers.
I'm getting the sense that the BOG is concerned about negatively affecting UF's reputation by torpedoing this hire.
I believe this situation is a result of the recent push to protect applicants from Florida's Sunshine Laws by allowing the FACULTY (i.e, overwhelmingly… https://t.co/LR7bZ4VNcL
— Jennifer Cabrera (@jhaskinscabrera) June 2, 2025
Concerns Over Campus Protests and Jewish Student Safety
Much of the criticism directed at Ono stems from his handling of pro-Palestine demonstrations at the University of Michigan. Critics argue he failed to promptly break up encampments that made Jewish students feel unsafe or threatened. In response, Ono has claimed that limited resources at Michigan affected his ability to manage the situation effectively. At the University of Florida, nine pro-Palestine protesters were arrested in 2024, with the university emphasizing rules against camping and violence.
“Hollow assurances of an ‘evolved mindset’ cannot erase Dr. Ono’s history of preferential treatment for far-left causes, coupled with his cold indifference to student safety.”, said U.S. Rep. Greg Steube.
Legal experts note that universities can impose restrictions on encampments, provided these restrictions are applied neutrally and do not infringe on First Amendment rights. However, Ono has not clearly specified what would qualify as an encampment or what resources he would need to address such situations at the University of Florida, raising concerns about both student safety and free speech protections.
Ono’s Defense and Position on DEI
During his interview with the UF Board of Trustees, Ono addressed the concerns about his past support for DEI initiatives. He surprised many by stating that he dismantled DEI programs at the University of Michigan after reassessing their impact and determining they were divisive and diverted resources from student success. Conservative critics, including influential figures like Chris Rufo, had initially opposed Ono’s candidacy due to his previous DEI advocacy.
Ono has emphasized his alignment with Florida’s vision for higher education, focusing on academic excellence without ideological bias. In his statements to the board, he expressed support for Florida’s approach to higher education as “a decisive move away from ideological bias and activist-driven culture that has come to define too many colleges and universities in this country and abroad.” This position appears designed to address concerns from Florida’s conservative leadership about preserving the state’s educational direction.
