The University of South Alabama has just announced that the board of trustees have nominated Jo Bonner, Chief of Staff to Governor Kay Ivey and former congressman for the state of Alabama, as the next President of the University. This constitutes an appalling lapse of judgement on the part of the board regarding the interests of their female, minority, and LGTBQ+ student body.

Jo Bonner is a former U.S congressman who has no substantial academic background beyond that of a bachelor’sdegree. He lacks experience in higher education and is unfit to lead a university. During his time as a congressman, he voted against the rights and freedoms of the LGTBQ+ community; he voted “Yes” on continually defending marriage as one-man-one-women; voted YES to constitutional ban same-sex marriage; and has a 0% rating by the Human Rights Campaign, indicating an extremely strong anti-LGBTQ+ stance. He has voted against the very rights of his future LGTBQ+ students. How can the students at the University trust Bonner to represent them, if he did not do that in our own Capitol?

Jo Bonner voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, showing a complete disregard for the safety of women. This is a troubling given the University of South Alabama’s recent history of sexual assault and kidnapping oncampus. Issues that have yet to be acknowledged or resolved in any capacity by the University. The student body feels unsafe on their own campus and Bonner would only fuel these fears.

When the NAACP ranked professionals regarding their stance on Affirmative Action and Anti-Racists policies, Jo Bonner received a measly 17%, indicating strong anti-affirmative action stance. By giving Bonner such a position, the University is directly jeopardizing their own commitment to “diversity, equality and inclusion.” As a predominantly white institution, in a predominantly African American area South Alabama has a unique opportunity to spread diversity not only on its own campus, but in the surrounding community. By nominating Jo Bonner, the University also jeopardizes its relationship with the surrounding community.

When asked about his voting history, his excuse was that he was toeing the party line, which shows lack moral integrity. The student body does not believe Bonner will represent students over his own personal interests, considering his personal connections with the board of trustees.

​By signing this petition, you are telling the University of South Alabama that you do not support the nomination Presidentcandidate Jo Bonner. As students at this University, we deserve a say on how our campus will be run. We deserve a President who will always outwardly support and protect the interests and needs of their students. By signing this petition who are saying that Jo Bonner is not fit to be the next president of this University and that you want his nomination revoked for the reasons listed above.