TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Governor DeSantis wants to bring a Doge task force to Florida.
In an executive order, the governor said he wanted the auditor to look at university spending.
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“This is the doge-ing of our state university system,” DeSantis said Monday in Tampa. “We recommend the governor to conduct deep dives on all aspects of university operations and spending, including debt and financial management practices, and to consider and implement routes to eliminate unnecessary spending. ”
The order said it would affect the inefficiencies of programs, courses, staff and other within the University System and University of Florida System.
“We want to make sure these universities are really on the classic mission of what the university should be. It’s not about imposing ideology. “DeSantis said.
The governor combined these plans with the elimination of state diversity, equity, inclusion, or DEI in higher education.
“There are certain subjects you know, if you want to do some of this, go to Cal Berkeley and go to some of these other places. We really do this thing in Florida. I don’t want to,” DeSantis said.
The governor’s order raises many questions. How does this affect students who may need a specific course for graduate schools in other states? How do other states view Florida’s education system to avoid including specific courses?
Tara Newsom, a political analyst at the University of St. Petersburg, said a series of incorrect experts were trying to accomplish the order.
“If you have toothache, you go to the dentist. He’s not an academic so I’m not going to go to the governor to see education reform,” Newsom said. “If we really want to receive a reputation for what is offered at universities and universities of course, we should do that from the lenses of the lenses that bring business to Florida. They are critical thinkers. I’m hoping for that.
She said she hopes Congress will slow the train down. It is unclear what the criteria for these assessments will be. Newsom said in court that costs could increase for state taxpayers, but it’s not necessary.
“When it comes to Florida, especially the 28 university system, Florida really has bars,” says Newsom. “Why fix something that’s not broken?”