BOG Chair Alan Levine announces full governance review and special meeting to consider Bell’s nomination as UF’s president
Press release from the State University System – Board of Governors
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine issued the following statement ahead of this week’s Board meeting:
“Last week, after reviewing the standards for governance at our universities, issues came to my attention which I believe are important for the Board of Governors to discuss and resolve prior to consideration of additional matters coming before the Board. There were several items proposed for our agenda which I decided to delay until the Board of Governors could consider the governance issues. I added an agenda item to our Governance Committee meeting for this very purpose.
“I also stated that I would be prepared to call a special meeting of the Board of Governors to take up the issues that were delayed if the governance issues were resolved.
“After productive discussions between the BOG and UF, the University of Florida Board of Trustees agreed it would be appropriate for a third-party expert in University governance to be engaged to review the governance documents of all universities in the System, all delegated authorities, and BOG policies. This expert will recommend best practices. The leadership of the UF Board of Trustees stated unequivocally it will comply with any BOG regulations on governance standards that are enacted. I agree with this approach. Ultimately, our mutual goal should be to be an example of best practice in university governance. Similarly, I will encourage the Board of Governors to adopt any beneficial policy changes that enhance our ability to ensure Florida’s universities are an example of best practices.
“In light of this, I have directed the corporate secretary of the Board of Governors to schedule a special meeting, as soon as legally possible, for the Board to consider the nomination of Dr. Stuart Bell as President of the University of Florida, the full-year extension of FGCU President Timur’s contract, and the request from the University of Florida for approval of their housing plan.
“I look forward to positive results from our mutual work.”
Former University President, I will always back down, Ken Fuchs gave away the University’s mojo to fight political interference and now here we are. He should have rallied the alumni to UF’s defense. Preemptive capitulation is not an answer to bullies and demagogues.
Secret deals are the norm these days.
UF went from being 1 hour from hiring the current president of the Univ of Michigan – one of the top universities in America, public or private, and leading the nation for public universities doing research:
(“The top 10 public universities for research spending based on the latest available NSF HERD data:University of Michigan, Ann Arbor — $2.11 billion”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2025/12/30/the-top-25-universities-for-rd-spending-johns-hopkins-is-again-1/)
to hiring the retired president of the F…ing Univ of Alabama, in no one’s top 10 except football.
All but 2 of the geniuses on our Board of Trustees spent their questions to the UM president during his hearing on DEI, even though he had already told them a million times he would not pursue it. Not one question on UF’s research (which is high but not top 10). Then they voted him down for not being sufficiently rabid about their knee-jerk obsession.
The fact that we are left with this guy Bell tells you how many applicants they had for this 2nd round – NOT MANY!
These idiots the Gov appointed to the Board are killing UF with the stupid politicalization and this is just 1 more sign.
You progressive dems lie about everything…it’s your MO…
jazz and tato 🥔 are dumb bells!
About DEI… “he had already told them a million times he would not pursue it.”
Bell is the best guy for the job.
Bell is good. I’m UF alumni and ringing the bell 🛎️ 🎶
For Bell 🔔 ❗️
Due diligence and process has been done!
More sour grapes 🍇 for Jazz & tato🥔 🤣
“Key Details of the Hearing and Rejection
The Interrogation:
During a nearly four-hour confirmation hearing, board members heavily grilled Ono on his past statements concerning race-based hiring, systemic racism, and holistic admissions….
Despite glowing reports from UF trustees, Board of Governors members grilled Ono on his evolution of thinking on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, systemic racism and merit-based admission. ..”
https://www.mainstreetdailynews.com/education/uf-board-governors-rejects-ono-president
Speaking of liars, pathetic ones at that, Bullwinkle should volunteer his time helping track down the vandals who ruined Trumps perfect redo of the Lincoln reflecting pool. These dastardly enemies of yard work should not get away it! This will not stand!
Brave National Guardsmen were called out to protect reflecting pool workers from the viscious vandals who have attacked!
https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/06/22/00/2026-06-21T185812Z_1716186844_RC2FYLA6YU5G_RTRMADP_3_USA-250-REFLECTING-POOL.JPG?quality=75&width=1368&auto=webp
They even killed baby ducklings peacably enjoying the Presidents perfect remodel! They must be stopped!
https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/06/22/01/2026-06-21T185818Z_1837422584_RC2GYLAJQYGK_RTRMADP_3_USA-250-REFLECTING-POOL.JPG?quality=75&width=1368&auto=webp
There are rumors that the president of the company hired to do the work last told Trump that “You’ve got nice little reflecting pool there. Be a shame if something appened to it.”
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZ6cUsSNcKR/
For more destruction of Florida’s higher education assets by the governor and his cronies, here’s John Oliver on New College.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFMc07F1UUU
Link above starts about 3 minutes into program. Click bar at beginning (left) to start at beginning.