Florida College presidents declare they will not use funds to compel CRT beliefs

Published Jan. 18, 2023, 12:42 p.m. ET | Updated Jan. 19, 2023

story

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Florida College System Presidents announced in a joint statement Wednesday that they would not use funds compel beliefs in critical race theory.

The FCS presidents released the joint statement at Florida’s State Board of Education meeting.

The memo states that FCS presidents will make sure that all initiatives, instruction and activities “do not promote” ideology that suppresses intellectual and academic freedom, freedom of expression and viewpoint diversity.

“As such, our institutions will not fund or support any institutional practice, policy, or academic requirement that compels belief in critical race theory or related concepts such as intersectionality, or the idea that systems of oppression should be the primary lens through which teaching and learning are analyzed and/or improved upon,” the memo said.

It continued to explain that if critical race theory or related concepts are taught as part of an appropriate postsecondary subject’s curriculum, the institutions would deliver instruction that includes critical race theory as one of several theories and teach it in an objective manner.

“In the development of knowledge, research endeavors, and creative activities, a college faculty and student body must be free to cultivate a spirit of inquiry and scholarly criticism, and to examine ideas in an atmosphere of freedom and confidence, free from shielding and in a nondiscriminatory manner,” the memo said.

The FCS presidents remain committed to developing campus environments that uphold objectivity in teaching and learning and in professional development and that welcome all voices—environments in which students, faculty, and staff can pursue their academic interests without fear of reprisal or being “canceled.”

FCS memo

In response, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. called it a “bold statement” to keep students free from “woke ideology.”

“Today’s bold statement by the Florida College System presidents shows their commitment to providing students with higher education opportunities that are free from indoctrination and woke ideology,” Diaz said. “I would like to commend our presidents for ensuring our state colleges are environments where all students can embrace educational freedom and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for a thriving career.”

The memo comes weeks after the DeSantis Administration requested information from the Department of Education and the State University System regarding the expenditure of state resources on programs and initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion, and critical race theory within Florida state colleges and universities.

The letter says each institution must detail the below costs associated with the administration of each program or activity: 

  • Brief description of the program or activity
  • Positions, including full and partial FTE
  • Total funding spent to support the initiative
  • Of the total spent to support the initiative, the amount that is state funded

The request was made as the Governor’s Office prepared policy and budget proposals ahead of the 2023 Legislative Session. Colleges and Universities had to provide the response by January 13th.

“The Florida College System’s mission and purpose is one of opportunity for the underserved, the adult learner, the displaced worker, the single mother or father, really, any resident of the great state of Florida,” Dr. John Avendano, president of Florida State College of Jacksonville said in a press release statement.

Avendano read the joint statement to State Board of Education members Wednesday. According to the memo, FCS presidents agreed to remove institutional instruction, training, and policies opposed to the forms of discrimination described in this statement by February 1st.

“The FCS presidents reaffirm our commitment to nondiscrimination in hiring, onboarding and professional development, merit, reason, fairness, civil debate, cultivating intellectual autonomy and equality, and evaluating our successes on the achievements of all students,” the memo said.

“Further, we renew our commitment to the values that are foundational to our mission and, moreover, to maintaining our country’s common good, for which we as public institutions of higher education share the responsibility.”

Share This Post

Latest News

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments