The Florida Board of Governors rejected Santa Ono's appointment as University of Florida president, despite his unanimous selection by UF trustees. The 10-6 vote followed accusations regarding his handling of pro-Palestinian protests and past support for DEI initiatives, contradicting his recent attempts to distance himself from those stances. Conservative board members expressed skepticism about his evolving views, citing concerns about antisemitism and his previous support for DEI. Ono's appointment would have made him the highest-paid university president in the US.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.