Florida universities update general education courses to address concerns about "woke" ideologies.

A report states that Florida's public universities are revising their general education course offerings to adhere to a law aimed at addressing "woke ideologies" in higher education.

In May 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis enacted SB 266, which prohibits state funding for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at Florida's public universities as part of his campaign against "woke" influences on education.

The Board of Governors for the State University System of Florida has more authority over class roster decisions for the 12 state universities under its jurisdiction, according to Politico.

"The Board of Governors shall periodically review the mission of each constituent university and make updates or revisions as needed. After completing a review of the mission, the board shall review existing academic programs for alignment with the mission."

The board is responsible for conducting a thorough examination of the course under the law.

General education core courses should not distort significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches identity politics or be based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.

Under Governor DeSantis' leadership, Florida's higher education system has shifted its focus to the traditional purpose of universities: "seeking truth and equipping students to be citizens of this nation."

The courses on 'Humanities Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality' and 'Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion' do not align with the objectives of higher education, according to her.

According to Politico, hundreds of courses that were previously required for graduation are now likely to become electives.

Politico reported that the University of Florida has proposed removing courses such as "Humanities Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality," "Social Geography," and a "Social Problems" class that studies social issues like race, gender inequality, and crime.

The removal of honors classes such as "Magic, Witchcraft and Religion" and "History of Food and Eating" from the general education curriculum at Florida Atlantic University is imminent.

In June, Mark Rieger, the Executive Vice President and Provost of Florida Gulf Coast University, informed trustees that the course changes could enhance student success and that providing fewer courses with better resources was more advantageous than offering many courses, as per meeting minutes.

State education funding could be lost by universities that fail to remove general education courses that violate the law and the Board of Governors' recommendations.

In 2023, DeSantis signed SB 266 into law, stating that using taxpayer dollars for personal gain is not acceptable.

The State University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodriques believes that the move is not an infringement on academic freedom, despite criticism from some.

"Rodrigues stated that an infringement on academic freedom would be to claim that this course cannot be offered at the university. However, no one has made such a statement in any of the given scenarios. Instead, we are emphasizing that we have the authority to determine what constitutes general education."

"Based on state statutes, we are complying with what defines general education curriculum, as held by the courts. However, the legislature, who funds it, ultimately determines what gets designated as general education curriculum."

DeSantis and the Board of Governors did not respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment.