Santa Ono

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 Florida Board of Governors postponed a vote on University of Florida's new president, Stuart Bell, due to governance concerns raised by Chair Alan Levine. The dispute centers on power dynamics between Levine and UF trustees Chair Mori Hosseini, with Levine alleging governance procedures at UF fall short of state standards. A third party will review governance practices amid tensions over leadership transitions and reporting structures at the university.

Eight pro-Palestinian activists are charged with conspiring to intimidate University of Michigan officials through vandalism and threats, including fake corpses and anti-Israel messages. The indictment highlights use of threatening symbols linked to Hamas and online campaigns, with six defendants appearing in court. The university, which has minimal investments tied to Israel, cleared a pro-Palestinian camp in 2024 over safety concerns.

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.