College students organized a protest in response to the university’s nomination of the president’s sole finalist. The University of Florida announced Oct. 6 that Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb) was unanimously nominated as the sole candidate to serve as the 13th president of a public institution.
Sasse, who has served in Nebraska since 2015, plans to step down from the Senate in December and start a new job at the university in February if the nomination passes.
Sasse expected to resign as senator, likely to become next University of Florida president
He was on campus on October 10th and participated in multiple public forums with students, faculty, and staff. Sasse spoke at his Q&A session for students at the Emerson Alumni Reunion at 2:30 p.m. Students were given the opportunity to submit questions prior to the event.
Several student groups gathered outside the building to protest the nomination. UF America’s Young Democratic Socialists, UF Graduate Assistant United,uf communist When UF College Democratic Party.
Students voiced their concerns to Fox News Digital.
“Ben Sasse is on record to oppose gay marriage, transgender people and abortion. “I’m afraid it will make it more difficult for students to have abortions.”
Another student said, “His views are very right-wing and very right-leaning,” adding that he was “not a virtuous individual.”
“I think he lacks the experience of leading a university of the size and prestige of the University of Florida,” said one student.
Other students said they relate to his stance on climate change and Roe v. Wade’s overthrow, and his ability to “unite” the university’s population.
The protest started from outside, but the students gradually entered the building and stood outside the room where Sasse was speaking. Their chants of “Ben Sasse must go” could be heard from inside the room.
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Students said their morale would drop if Sasse became rector.
As one student told Fox News Digital:
Another student said, “It’s been clear for some time that Governor DeSantis and the Florida legislature want to destroy public education, so she’s ashamed to be a gator in Florida.” Told..”
After Sasse finished speaking and left, the students swarmed into the empty room, continued to chant, and rose to the stage. Event leaders said they “wanted to make his life miserable.”
Students argued that campus dynamics would change if Sasse became president.
“I am very concerned about the most marginalized people on campus and whether they will feel that the University of Florida is a safe place for them.”
Another student echoed the same concerns.
“Many marginalized groups on campus will feel less safe or less secure,” she said.
However, one student admitted that he “was able to convince him”, saying he attended the event “to see what he had to say.”
Shortly after the event, UF Graduate Assistant United tweeted a video of what they believe to be Sasse leaving the building in a police car.
of organization tweeted“This is what cowards look like. If you accept your position here, this will be your day.”
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Sasse voted to impeach former President Donald Trump in the second impeachment trial in 2021. President of Midland College Teaches at the University of Texas at Austin.
according to statement announcement According to the University of Florida, “The committee’s recommendations will be submitted to the University of Florida Board of Trustees for consideration at its meeting scheduled for November 1, 2022.”
Fox News has reached out to Sasse’s office for comment, but has yet to hear back.