A new Florida Republican backed law will require each of the state's public universities to survey the political beliefs of students, faculty, and staff.
Proponents characterized the bill as an efficient way to promote "intellectual diversity" and push back against the liberal "indoctrination" of students.
Frightening. DeSantis signs bill requiring Florida students, professors to register political views with state Un… https://t.co/OH36aNci6f— J. P. Gownder (கவுண்டர்) (@J. P. Gownder (கவுண்டர்)) 1624530352.0
The law, which was signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, will take effect beginning July 1, just in time for the upcoming school year.
The Tampa Bay Timesreported it remains unclear exactly what the state will do with the results of each university and college's survey, GOP Senator Ray Rodrigues, the bill's sponsor, did admit budget cuts could be in order if school's appear to be "indoctrinating."
Gov. DeSantis proudly touted the bill's efficacy.
"It used to be thought that a university campus was a place where you'd be exposed to a lot of different ideas."
"Unfortunately, now the norm is, these are more intellectually repressive environments. You have orthodoxies that are promoted, and other viewpoints are shunned or even suppressed."When DeSantis was pressed to give an example to support his claim, he did not.
In Ron DeSantis's Florida, cruise lines cannot ask whether someone is vaccinated before boarding, but schools can a… https://t.co/2fSWXSFE66— Aaron Parnas (@Aaron Parnas) 1624545591.0
Instead, he was broad and vague, saying he "knows a lot of parents" who worry their children will be "indoctrinated" into accepting "orthodoxies."
Faculty members, on the other hand, have argued the law attacks their freedom of speech.
The bill's lack of clarity on multiple issues likely contributed to that anxiety. There is no confirmation that survey results will remain anonymous and there's no mention of who can use the data or how the data will be used.
But hints were given in GOP statements about the new law.
“the state could institute budget cuts if university students and staff do not respond in a satisfactory manner.”… https://t.co/sjElcFM40v— Jamie Schler (@Jamie Schler) 1624506581.0
Public universities in Florida will be required to survey both faculty and students on their political beliefs and… https://t.co/q3UH2dh7Uf— Jon Cooper 🇺🇸 (@Jon Cooper 🇺🇸) 1624537448.0
The bill does make clear, however, students will be permitted to record their professors and lectures without consent. Those recordings could then be used in a civil or criminal case against the school.
.@GovRonDeSantis unleashes the MAGA Thought Police on Florida. He has signed a Republican bill requiring public uni… https://t.co/Y7iFEUrvQN— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷 (@Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷) 1624536206.0
Many people, particularly Florida residents, were outraged to hear the bill became law.
schools less “liberal?” It’s unconstitutional, obvs. But the goal here is to chill student and youth voter partic… https://t.co/Ba3dWZtCJ3— Pam Keith, Esq. (@Pam Keith, Esq.) 1624543917.0
🚨NEW: "House Bill 233 requires university students and faculty to fill out a survey from the government about their… https://t.co/Xa0iDbd7jc— Marc E. Elias (@Marc E. Elias) 1624482839.0
Sounds like fascism to me! In case you’re wondering, I voted NO on this bill!! https://t.co/Z7Fyk5yNBn— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨) 1624502925.0
If you're mad like I am then let's build power in FL and change the direction of our state. https://t.co/V8ZTdByY5B— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨) 1624546816.0
Many cited the GOP legislation as another Republican solution searching for a problem that doesn't exist.
@micheleforfl @AnnaForFlorida He needs to be sued, when people say what's wrong with the literacy program in Cuba?… https://t.co/lpDfoPce0Z— Cristina 🇺🇸🇨🇺 (@Cristina 🇺🇸🇨🇺) 1624504519.0
@AnnaForFlorida This is repackaged McCarthyism. Disgusting— Christina (@Christina) 1624504509.0
Ron DeSantis is testing his fascist agenda in Florida. We will never let him take it nationwide. https://t.co/tK4DJx8AIR— MeidasTouch.com (@MeidasTouch.com) 1624474810.0
For all DeSantis' harsh criticism of lack of diversity of thought and indoctrination, it's worth noting just two weeks ago Florida's State Board of Education banned the teaching of critical race theory.
DeSantis requested that measure.