A new university president?

The way this all played out is an embarrassment.

 

Trying to understand why he would have resigned from Michigan before he was actually approved by Florida. At this moment, that he was left in such a lurch bothers me more than UF without a President and Florida politics.

 

Would be happy to name the "evil doers" as you call them, but trying not to .send this to THFSG. I suspect you know exactly who the players are tho. .

Btw, I don't really care much who the choice is as long as it's an academic not another politician.. In this case as with other recent state wide searches for university presidents the process has been corrupted.

 

No it isn’t. Nobody cares except people aligned with UF. They were railroading in a guy with a clearly defined political background that clashes with damn near everything going on in this country and our state right now - better derail that in the 11th hour and get a better fit for UF. In the end this will be a nothing burger

 

There’s a lot about this that seems a tad suspicious

 

And thank goodness the people you refer to as “evil doers” just did their job - and saved UF the dark future of having a president who is a pariah in the state.

 

Evidently Christopher Rufo was a major antagonist.

 

Forget his wokeness, politics, or whatever. This man who is "Dr" Oh No, could not recall what he said, wrote much less endorsed. When he did recall an item or two, he simply flipped and said he did not believe it what he said 6 months ago, last year.

No principles. No courage.

 

Interesting. What political office does he hold in FL?

 

Really what is needed is an outstanding Administrator and leader with great academic credentials. That hasn't existed at UF since John Lombardi.

 

You can PM me if you like.

 

Yeah that, plus someone who wants a football national championship on his watch

 

Seeking some middle ground, I know as much about the success factors of a University President as I do the success factors of a choosing a football or basketball coach. As we have seen on this site, and many similar ones, the person selected will generate animosity and affection from all corners of Gator Nation.

I do know a thing or two about leadership, however. I think whether the person is an academic, as many here are clamoring for, or is a political appointee, I would ask does that background, ipso facto, constitute the most important indicator / predictor of future success? I have known academics, business executives and politicians I wouldn't follow to an outhouse. Just because someone is a thing is not a predictor of success leading a bunch of people doing a thing.

Leadership is a trait that can be seen in people in every background, and in my opinion, the attribute most important to successful leadership is TRUST. A credentialed academic that isn't trusted, no matter how deep their CV may be, will not be successful leading an institution like UF. The same is true of a non-academic. In fact, one might argue and academic, given the narrowness and the hidebound nature of the upward steps of that calling, do little to develop the leadership traits that generate trust, esp. outside that body. People assume the military produces great leadership. Trust me when I say that is not an assumption that any veteran would support. Non-academics can be effective, trusted university Presidents. Dwight Eisenhower was mocked by the academicians at Columbia when he was named President there and while I'm not sure he will go down as their greatest President, he steered Columbia successfully before his run for President. Robert Zimmer came from business and was an amazing leader at Univ of Chicago. I'm not in any way associated with UC but many people I admire serve there and that makes me think he is an effective leader. I imagine the cronies in the Academic Lounge grumbled about him initially but he overcame that to be an effective leader.

I think it's safe to say that there will be broad opinions about the next UF President. I have strong feelings about the immediate past President but keep them to myself since they are as valuable as glass beads. I had opinions about Dr. Ono that I will do likewise. I am proud that the contributors to this thread, even when their proclivities have been apparent, have kept the discourse civil. Well done, Gators. Keep it up.

 

Pariah is probably the wrong word considering he was selected by UF’s search committee and unanimously approved by this group of state leaders.

“Santa Ono is precisely the right person to be president of the University of Florida at this moment in its history,” said UF Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini. “He is a remarkably accomplished scholar and a solidly proven academic leader, and his values align perfectly with ours here in the great state of Florida. Dr. Ono will ensure that merit and scholarship, not ideology, are the gold standards for success, and he will see to it that the University of Florida continues its ascent toward becoming America’s premier public university, bar none.“

Current Trustees - Board of Trustees - University of FloridaCurrent Trustees - Board of Trustees - University of Florida

 

Vetted by who? Not the board of governors, they are the ones with the say so. Folks are pretty much split50/50 when it comes to politics so most dont really want anyone leaning either way. Politics just shouldnt be a topics in education and when it becomes one, its a problem. Way better if it wasnt an issue and the guy was in the middle representative of all students equally. I know many conservative leaning students that really just keep their mouth shut and go on about their studies because they feel uncomfortable with a left leaning educational system. Its just better if everyone can feel comfortable instead of leaning any one way.

 

Nice post

 

Ironically, he is mostly known for being a big DeSantis donor.

 

That's how it works in every state.

 

Well, id prefer someone impartial thats not pushing any agenda but i dont matter.