Eight University of Florida professors have been banned from testifying against state leaders as an expert witnesses in three separate cases in the past year, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The First Amendment apparently doesn’t apply to these 8 professors.
“I don’t think it is hyperbole when I say this is how totalitarian regimes unfold,’’ Goldhagen told the Times.
I just want to highlight this statement.
I suspect that Timothy Snyder would agree.
Are there any links available to donate?
Sending money to unseat Sinema is good, but not as timely as this. Fuck DeSantis.
The news media is not delving into this matter sufficiently.
Tenure was created about 100 years ago to prevent things like this from happening. Powerful people back then could have someone fired with a phone call. The idea of tenure came about to allow people with expertise to speak, to share their expertise, without fear of losing their jobs.
Someone needs to take a close look at these people’s contracts, as well as Florida law, and accompanying regulations and the various components of the university’s rules, etc. And don’t trust the attorneys involved at this stage… attorneys rarely look stuff up. They take action, file lawsuits, etc. and often wait to get to a court with a judge who actually looks stuff up.
Clearly, a pox on those who are running this university. But these professors really do need to find the right lawyers, those who know how to look this stuff up, and sue the state accordingly.
Gotta keep those pointed-headed “professors” in line. Next up: a ban on teaching Critical Race Theory at state universities in Florida.
Wow I thought the worst thing this week for my Alma mater was getting destroyed by UGA on Saturday. This news about UF professors being barred from testifying is deeply troubling. It all makes me feel embarrassed to say I’m an alumni from the University of Florida. It’s one of the best public universities in the country and now looks like some sorta of political shill for the DeSantis administration.
Democrats should stop using the right’s words. Don’t call it CRT, call it US history.
The Chronicle reported that Goldhagen, who said he would not receive compensation for the testimony, submitted conflict-of-interest disclosures to the university. The school ultimately denied his requests.
“If the professors wish to testify pro bono on their own time without using university resources, they are free to do so,” University President Kent Fuchs said.
Discuss. Include analysis of the need for consistent policy.
The ten representatives and anyone else who can, should absolutely hammer UF over this. It’s an outrageous violation.
CRT is distinct from general history.
Do not conflate the two.
It helps the GQP.
“Defund the Police!”
“Black Lives Matter!”
“Voting Rights are Human Rights!”
The 1st amendment only protects the speech of right wingers, including massive bribes (a/k/a “donations”) by the ultra rich and special interests to crooked politicians. This rule is well known in many right wing authoritarian regimes across the world, and not just in Florida-istan.
It is a bit surprising this case isn’t raising a major and quite vocal uproar in academic circles. The state is clearly violating the basic standards of academic freedoms and, as a separate matter, are attempting to stifle free speech. This is one of the reasons why tenure rights were created: to allow academics freedom to express opinions contrary to the mainstream without fearing official retribution.
In related news, right wingers seek to eliminate tenure.
CRT as originally conceived by its creators may be distinct from general history, though it is a part of general history. “CRT” as conceived and weaponized by its GOP opponents is just the true history of slavery and racism. It’s that history that they want to ban and are banning.
Running away from that history is what helps the GOP, not confronting it.
Oh, and by the way, how is what they’re doing NOT “Cancel Culture”?
2 points:
One would think the university would take their side.
The litigators can go to another university. Why not ask Snyder to testify?
Swift backlash? A letter from some Congressional Dems expressing sharp condemnation? Oh my! That’ll surely scare ‘em into backing down.
No, unfortunately it falls on some of these professors to stand up to these bullies, and I’ll be happy to contribute to their defense fund.
Republicans do not tout notes of protest from their Congresscritters as significant. They go out and organize on their issues. But we look to Congress, which we don’t even really control, as our go-to move.
Time for us to try organizing around something besides elections.
You mean “as distorted and lied about” by its GQP opponents.
Letters should be sent to the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the authority that grants accreditation to the University of Florida. This action against faculty members clearly violates Academic Freedom and should throw into question the university’s accreditation. That should be a wake-up call.