Board of Governors Rejects Santa Ono as UF President

Orlando, Florida – The Florida Board of Governors voted against the confirmation of Dr. Santa J. Ono as the 14th president of the University of Florida (UF) on June 3. This unprecedented decision marks the first time a sole finalist for the UF presidency was not approved by the Board of Governors.

The board meeting followed a week after Ono was unanimously approved as president-elect by UF’s Board of Trustees. The Board of Governors convened at the University of Central Florida’s downtown campus as members considered his nomination amid considerable political scrutiny and concerns about Ono’s previous support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

UF Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini presented Ono’s qualifications and discussed the search committee’s decision to name him as the sole finalist. Hosseini highlighted Ono’s achievements, but the meeting quickly shifted focus to his past DEI policies. Critics, including U.S. Rep. Greg Steube and Donald Trump Jr., urged the board to reject Ono, citing concerns over his prior support for DEI initiatives while he was president at the University of Michigan.

During the meeting, questions arose regarding Ono’s views on diversity and other educational topics. When pressed on his shifting stance on DEI, Ono reiterated that his views had evolved over time. He declared, “Some of my past remarks about DEI do not reflect what I believe now.”

Several board members hesitated on their vote due to Ono’s previous positions and the political environment surrounding higher education in Florida. Despite efforts from supporters who praised Ono for his academic leadership, the board ultimately decided against his appointment with a failed motion.

Going forward, the UF Board of Trustees must restart the search process for a new president. The decision has raised concerns over the future direction of the university and the influence of politics on higher education leadership in Florida.

Ono’s anticipated term included an initial base salary of $1.5 million, with a contract in place that would extend through May 2030. The Board of Governors will now explore new candidates to replace Ono.