Santa Ono blocked from UF presidency amid DEI backlash

Santa Ono blocked from UF presidency amid DEI backlash

Santa Ono, former University of Michigan president and a prominent academic leader, was blocked from becoming the next president of the University of Florida after a 10-6 vote by the state university system’s Board of Governors.

What we know:

Santa Ono, former University of Michigan president and a prominent academic leader, was blocked from becoming the next president of the University of Florida after a 10-6 vote by the state university system’s Board of Governors.

This came despite unanimous support from UF’s Board of Trustees and a strong push by influential GOP donor and trustees chairman Mori Hosseini.

Critics pointed to Ono’s past support of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and questioned the sincerity of h