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To: Senator Danny Burgess, Chair, and members of Ethics & Elections committee; Senator Erin Grall, Chair, and members of Committee on Post-secondary Education

Dear Senators,

The DeSantis administration is actively working to dismantle New College, as part of a broader initiative to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. New College is a place where students and professors are now fighting to defend their educational freedom. Historically, New College has been  a safe space where students are free to explore their educational passion, and a place where students of diverse backgrounds have been able to learn and grow without fear of intimidation. Now,  DeSantis seeks to stifle that intellectual spirit  through the nomination of 6 right-wing loyalists to the Board of Trustees. 

New College is already recognized as one of the top liberal arts programs in the nation. The rigorous and innovative college is a rarity: it not only produces top educational and career outcomes for its students, but it does so at an affordable price achievable for working Floridians. The hostile actions are already doing damage to this small but beloved institution, and risk fully undermining one of Florida's great talent creators- all for the sake of scoring political points without the student's best interests at heart. 

We cannot allow politics to destroy this educational gem-- Florida students deserve better. As the Chairs of the two Senate committees charged with overseeing Board of Trustees appointments, you have the authority and obligation to hold these nominations to the highest standards.  We urge you to fully scrutinize these nominations individually, including with in-person hearings, and vote no on any and all you find to be unqualified and unfit to serve.