The Florida Board of Governors has voted against the hiring of Santa Ono as the next president of the University of Florida. The decision comes after a contentious process, with the board voting 10-6 against Ono’s appointment.
Santa Ono, the former president of the University of Michigan, was unanimously approved by the University of Florida Board of Trustees just a week ago. He was identified as the sole finalist in Florida’s presidential search process, but his appointment was clearly not without controversy.
While the exact reasons behind the Board of Governors’ decision are not entirely clear, it’s likely that Ono’s involvement in the Michigan football sign-stealing scandal played a role. Ono had publicly supported former Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh during the scandal, which led to Harbaugh’s suspension and ongoing NCAA investigation. Some board members, including Education Commissioner Manny Diaz and former House speakers Paul Renner and Jose Oliva, voted against Ono’s appointment.
University of Florida Board of Trustees chair Mori Hosseini, a developer and mega-donor, was among those who supported Ono’s appointment. Hosseini and other backers viewed Ono’s hiring as a sign of the school’s rising prominence. However, the Board of Governors’ decision has sent the university back to the drawing board in its search for a new president.
The University of Florida has been without a permanent president since Ben Sasse stepped down in July 2024, citing his wife’s health. Former president Kent Fuchs has been serving in an interim capacity and expressed confidence that the board would find a capable replacement. With Ono’s hiring blocked, the university will need to restart its search process.
The University of Florida and Santa Ono will now need to consider their next steps. Ono had expressed enthusiasm about leading the university, citing its potential to become one of the nation’s top public universities. The university’s next steps will likely involve re-examining its search process and identifying new candidates for the presidency.
The decision has sparked reaction on social media, with some hailing it as a “massive win for conservatives” and an “act of courage” by the board. However, others may view it as a missed opportunity for the university to bring in a leader with Ono’s experience and vision.
