University Of FL Fires All Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Staff: Memo

GAINESVILLE, FL — The University of Florida has axed its diversity, equity and inclusion office, firing all employees in that department Friday to comply with state law, according to a UF memo.

Thirteen full-time DEI positions and 15 administrative appointments for faculty were let go, the Independent Florida Alligator reported. This includes the university’s chief diversity officer.

The move also ended UF’s contracts with outside vendors.

The DEI office was eliminated to comply with the Florida Board of Governor’s regulation 9.016 on prohibited expenditures, the memo said.

• Also Read: DEI Funding Permanently Banned At FL State Colleges: Dept Of Education

The $5 million allocated to the University of Florida for DEI expenses will be moved into a faculty recruitment fund.

UF employees whose positions were eliminated will receive the university’s “standard (12) weeks of pay,” the memo said. They’re also encouraged to apply for expedited consideration for different positions posted by the university and UF’s human resources department will fast-track the interview process for them.

In January, the State Board of Education gave final approval to the ban of the use of state or federal money for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, activities and policies at Florida state colleges, Patch previously reported.

The board also formally defined DEI initiatives as those “that categorize individuals based on race or sex for the purpose of differential or preferential treatment,” the Florida Department of Education said in a news release at the time.

The board’s decision means taxpayer funds can’t be used “to promote DEI” at the 28 state college campuses, according to the agency.

These decisions made in January stem from a senate bill approved by the state legislature last year and signed into law by Gov. Desantis in May.

Florida’s Republican leaders have celebrated UF’s elimination of its DEI department.

“DEI is toxic and has no place in our public universities,” DeSantis posted Friday on X, formerly Twitter. “I’m glad that Florida was the first state to eliminate DEI and I hope more states follow suit.”

Sen. Marco Rubio posted to X, “Time for other colleges and universities to follow Florida’s lead.”

There has been criticism of the change at UF, as well.

NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, who was named All-American when he played for the Gators, posted on X that he was “disgusted” by the move, the Gainesville Sun reported.

"I'm utterly disgusted by UF's decision and the precedent it sets," Smith wrote. "Without the DEI department, the job falls on the Office of the Provost, who already has their hands full, to raise money for the university and continue to advance the academic studies and athletic programs. We cannot continue to believe and trust that a team of leaders all made up of the same background will make the right decision when it comes to equality and diversity. History has already proven that is not the case."