UF Trustees Decry State Board’s Rejection of Santa Ono as President
TALLAHASSEE, FL — June 6, 2025 The University of Florida's Board of Trustees has expressed profound disappointment following the Florida Board of Governors' decision to reject Dr. Santa Ono's appointment as UF's 14th president. Despite a unanimous endorsement from the trustees, the state board voted 10-6 against Ono, citing concerns over his past support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and his handling of pro-Palestinian protests during his tenure at the University of Michigan.
Mori Hosseini, chair of the UF Board of Trustees, labeled the outcome as "deeply disappointing," emphasizing that Ono's extensive experience and commitment to academic excellence made him an ideal candidate to lead the university.
Ono, a respected biomedical researcher and university administrator, had previously led the University of Michigan, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Cincinnati. In recent statements, he acknowledged a shift in his perspective on DEI programs, expressing concerns about their evolution into bureaucratic structures that may hinder student success. [
The rejection has sparked concerns about political influence in higher education appointments, particularly in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis has been vocal against "woke ideology" on campuses. The decision necessitates a renewed search for UF's next president, leaving the university's leadership in a state of