Board of Governors

The University of Florida's presidential search has been delayed due to a power struggle between Board of Governors chair Alan Levine and Trustees chair Mori Hosseini. Multiple presidential candidates, including Ben Sasse, Santa Ono, and Donald Landry, were chosen and rejected amid conflicts over governance and spending, with Stuart Bell ultimately selected as the new president despite delays caused by unresolved disputes between Levine and Hosseini.

The University of Florida's presidential approval process for Stuart Bell was delayed by Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine due to governance and compliance concerns. UF trustees approved Bell as interim president, prompting Levine to commission a third-party review of governance procedures and schedule a special meeting for July 1. UF Board Chair Mori Hosseini defended the board's actions and criticized Levine's allegations of procedural noncompliance.

Florida International University (FIU) is the top-performing state institution with a score of 97, while Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is the lowest at 73. Metrics include graduate wages, graduation rates, and retention. Florida Polytechnic University improved its score by 13 points, and New College of Florida saw the largest drop in graduate employment rates above $40,000. The state budget includes $645 million for performance-based incentives, pending Governor Ron DeSantis' approval.

Alan Greenspan, a former Federal Reserve chairman, died at the age of 100. He was the chairman of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System.

The University of Florida's interim president contract for Donald Landry is blocked by Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine due to violations of a regulation limiting trustee authority. UF trustees approved Bell last week, but the Board of Governors will hold a governance discussion instead of final approval, prompting trustees to plan a meeting to name Bell interim president to avoid institutional limbo.

University of Florida (UF) trustees unanimously supported Stuart Bell, a former University of Alabama president, advancing him toward becoming UF's next president. Bell emphasized his experience in higher education and athletics, addressing topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion, while aligning with Florida’s higher education policies. Critics questioned the search process's transparency, but UF board members defended its legality.

The United States is lobbying the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors to pass a resolution requiring Iran to account for its bombed nuclear sites and enriched uranium. Previous US-backed resolutions demanding similar actions have not been fulfilled by Iran, which has responded by expanding nuclear activities or reducing cooperation with the agency.

Stuart Bell, a finalist for the University of Florida (UF) presidency, pledged to align with conservative higher education policies in Florida, including opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. During forums, Bell emphasized his support for state-aligned reforms and referenced his tenure at the University of Alabama, where he replaced a DEI division with a new department focused on opportunities and connections. UF has been without a permanent president since Ben Sasse resigned in 2024, and a prior candidate, Santa Ono, was rejected by the Board of Governors.

The University of Florida will host three public forums for Stuart Bell, the sole finalist for president, to address pre-screened questions from faculty, students, and staff. Bell's selection has drawn criticism from some conservatives and political figures like U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who questioned the lack of public input in the process, while Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressed support.