On Wednesday, the University of Florida Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve former University of Alabama president Stuart Bell to become the next president of the school; the approval came after weeks of questions about his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and "Woke" policies and hires at UA.
During the question-and-answer period, available on video, Bell spoke directly to the school's DEI program, which grew exponentially under his leadership.
Bell both downplayed the depths of his controversial programs and his hires as he touted accolades from the DEI bill sponsors for his work in undoing the damage. The problem: both the House and Senate bill sponsors deny having that conversation.
“First and foremost, let me be clear: I’m not coming to Florida to bring DEI or Woke back,” Bell said, beginning his remarks.
He then pivoted away from the subject to cite Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s vision of the American Dream and say that was the original purpose of early DEI programs.
“What occurred, though, is those beliefs morphed,” Bell explained.
“They moved from that original intention, in some cases, into intentions that really don't reflect what we would say is merit-based, hard work, and achievement," he added.
"And so companies, institutions, universities, along with their states, began to evaluate the programs. Laws were passed. The University of Florida was in that group, University of Alabama was in that group," Bell continued. "We took those new guidelines as a university, and we met those new guidelines."
In a follow-up question, Bell was asked if the university had just rebranded the DEI offices and activities.
“Certainly, as I mentioned, the law was passed in May. By the time we got to the end of September, we had done a deep dive in every program, every college scholarship, et cetera, to make sure that we were being thorough,” Bell explained.
“The sponsor of the bill in the legislature actually came out and commended the university that they had done and met the spirit of the law, had done it in an intentional fashion, had done it in a thorough fashion, and they were pleased with our reaction."
"So, the sponsor 'check, yes, you have done exactly what we have asked you to do,'" Bell said.
1819 News reached out to both the House and Senate bill sponsors, State Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville) and State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), along with several other lawmakers, with Bell's quotes. They all deny having said what Bell referenced.
"Fully compliant is a high bar. Everyone expected that it would take a while for the institutions to reach full compliance. We're making progress. We're just not there yet," State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) told 1819 News about UA's compliance.
"I think when we talk about rebranding, rebranding is, basically, when you do the same thing, but maybe you change a logo; we did not do that,” Bell said matter-of-factly.
However, evidence suggests otherwise. Most of Bell's most controversial hires were left in place, and what's worse is that they continue to be elevated to positions of higher power by the current president, Dr. Peter Mohler.
Unlike Auburn University, there's no evidence that deans are required to comply or take ownership of the classes under their purview. As recently as this past semester, students found themselves in classes that taught divisive concepts.
RELATED: University of Alabama professor pushes DEI in class syllabus — 'The state government can come at me'
Dr. G. Christine Taylor, who was hired under Bell as the vice president and associate provost for DEI, continues to work at the university after Bell's title change to comply with the law.
She stood next to Bell at a rally to "protest racial injustice", speaking just after him, and made a call to action that students, "Get Woke!" She then told the students that if their family members didn't vote, they shouldn't go to see them at Thanksgiving.
Current and former faculty have spoken out in recent weeks, detailing the impacts felt today not just related to racial but also other divisive concepts, including sexual orientation and "gender identity."
While the School of Social Work was authorized under its own constitutional authority, 1819 News found evidence that the school's administration and infrastructure were used to support a DEI-driven training program.
ALSO RELATED: University of Alabama Social Work program that hosted 2025 DEI-laden, 'antiracist' presentations set to return
Lawmakers, faculty, staff and students who have spoken to 1819 in recent weeks have noted that their concern isn't Bell's career or next job. It is the impact his efforts continue to have on the school.
According to a statement by the university, Bell will become UF’s 14th president, pending ratification by the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System of Florida. The Board of Governors is expected to vote on Bell’s ratification at its next meeting on June 25.
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