**UF Board of Governors Rejects Presidential Pick, Sparking Uncertainty**

The University of Florida faces a leadership crisis after the Florida Board of Governors surprising decision to vote down the appointment of Santa Ono as the university's president. Despite unanimous approval by the University of Florida Board of Trustees just a week prior, the governors' board's rejection sent shockwaves through the academic community.

"The motion fails," announced board chair Brian Lamb, his disbelief evident after the tally. "First time that's really happened." The unexpected result left the University of Florida unprepared, without a contingency plan in place.

Members who opposed Ono referenced significant concerns regarding his record and his responses during a lengthy interview session. They pointed to his shifts on diversity and climate change policies and his delayed reactions to antisemitic incidents at his former institutions, the University of Michigan and the University of British Columbia.

Observers view the split decision among boards, comprised mainly of Governor Ron DeSantis appointees, as indicative of an increasingly politicized higher education system in Florida. This trend, they argue, hinges on ideological qualifications for leadership roles in the state's public universities.

Holden Thorp, former chancellor of the University of North Carolina, noted the adverse consequences of the board’s decision. "I'd be shocked if any traditional academic would want to try it at this point," he said.

In the aftermath, there was no immediate comment from UF Board of Trustees Chairperson Mori Hosseini. A spokesperson for the university mentioned that they were formulating a statement regarding their next steps.

Conservative activist Christopher Rufo criticized the trustees for their initial unanimous support for Ono, taking issue with his stance on various progressive issues. Meanwhile, Board of Governors Vice Chairperson Alan Levine dismissed claims that politics drove the vote against Ono, asserting that it was strictly based on his evaluation of the candidate.

This controversial vote occurs as the state sees a shift in who is considered suitable for university leadership, with recent appointments including former lawmakers and education officials with close ties to Tallahassee.

The board's decision raises concerns for other ongoing presidential searches at the University of South Florida and the University of West Florida. "Getting leaders into the presidency that both members of the board and local campuses can agree on is becoming really impossible," Thorp cautioned.

With Ono being the sole finalist and no other named alternatives, the future leadership of UF remains uncertain. Interim President Kent Fuchs, who stepped back in after former Sen. Ben Sasse resigned, is contracted until July 31. Meanwhile, five of the school's 16 academic deans are in interim roles as well.

"This action puts us all in uncharted territory," wrote UF journalism professor Hub Brown in an email. Following the rejection, tension was palpable, underscored by an icy encounter between Levine and UF trustee Patrick Zalupski, who refused Levine's offered handshake.

The University of Florida now grapples with the fallout of the board’s historic decision, navigating an unclear path forward.