A small Liberal Arts College in Sarasota, FL finds itself in a culture war against the government for the basic right of educational freedom. Now, the community must learn how to find resistance amid a reality they didn't sign up for.
On January 6th, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis wages a war against "wokeness" and appoints six new members to New College of Florida's Board of Trustees, marking a shift in leadership at the small, progressive public school and flipping its world upside down for the college's community.
The consequences of the appointment are immediate, with the firing of the now former president, Patricia Okker, the abolishment of the diversity and inclusion office, the end of the gender studies major, the recruitment of student-athletes, and the diaspora of dozens of faculty members.
This case has gotten national and international attention. Governor DeSantis, at the time in the race to be the Republican representative in the next presidential election, has made himself directly attached to the events happening at this small liberal arts institution.
New College's situation represents the endless opportunities for
government control of public educational institutions and the many impacts on the local community.
The consequences of the appointment are immediate, with the firing of the now former president, Patricia Okker, the abolishment of the diversity and inclusion office, the end of the gender studies major, the recruitment of student-athletes, and the diaspora of dozens of faculty members.
This case has gotten national and international attention. Governor DeSantis, at the time in the race to be the Republican representative in the next presidential election, has made himself directly attached to the events happening at this small liberal arts institution.
New College's situation represents the endless opportunities for
government control of public educational institutions and the many impacts on the local community.
