Ben Sasse, controversial University of Florida president, announces his resignation
University of Florida president Ben Sasse plans to leave his position to focus on his family after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy. The former Nebraska senator was a controversial pick to lead one of the nation's top public universities and faced opp
FILE PHOTO: Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., attends a Senate Finance Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on January 19, 2021. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Pool via Reuters
Ben Sasse to Resign as University of Florida President to Care for Family
By Mike Schneider and Colleen Slevin, Associated Press
Education, July 19, 2024, 3:15 PM EDT
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Ben Sasse, president of the University of Florida and a noted figure in higher education, is stepping down to prioritize his family's needs after his wife received an epilepsy diagnosis. Nearly two years ago, Sasse's appointment was met with controversy when he took the helm of one of the nation’s leading public universities.
In a post on the social media platform X, Sasse, a former U.S. senator from Nebraska, revealed on Thursday evening that he had requested university officials to initiate the search for his successor following considerable introspection and family discussions. His resignation will take effect on July 31.
“I need to step back for a time and focus more on the needs of my family while we rebuild more stable household systems,” Sasse stated, while also indicating that he will continue to teach at the university in Gainesville, Florida.
Sasse's wife, Melissa, has faced health challenges since suffering an aneurysm and a series of strokes in 2007. Her recent epilepsy diagnosis has resulted in new memory complications, and Sasse noted, “We've battled some nasty seizures over the last couple of years, but she has always remained a warrior.” The couple has two college-aged daughters and a 13-year-old son.
Previously, Sasse served in the Senate where he was a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, notably voting for the president's impeachment after the Capitol riot in 2021, which drew ire from many within his own party. Despite this, he supported Trump 85% of the time and played a role in confirming the former president’s three Supreme Court appointees.
During his tenure at the University of Florida, Sasse was met with significant pushback from faculty and students, largely due to his conservative views on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ issues. His selection as president was also questioned for its transparency, as some faculty members expressed doubts about his qualifications to lead such a large institution, which serves over 50,000 students. The university's faculty Senate had even voted no confidence regarding the selection process that culminated in Sasse being the sole finalist.
When asked to reflect on Sasse's legacy at the university, Meera Sitharam, president of the faculty union, remarked, “I don't think he has done very much that was positive.” Faculty members criticized Sasse for not adequately defending academic freedom and allowing political interference from Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration. Additionally, a report by the American Association of University Professors highlighted concerns about declining academic autonomy in the Florida university system during DeSantis’ leadership.
Earlier in July, the University of Florida expelled several pro-Palestinian protesters arrested during an April demonstration, overruling a less severe recommendation from the administration. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Sasse remarked, “We wish we didn't have to, but the students weighed the costs, made their decisions, and will own the consequences as adults. We're a university, not a daycare. We don't coddle emotions; we wrestle with ideas.”
Mori Hosseini, chair of the university’s board of trustees, expressed gratitude for Sasse’s leadership, stating, “He has left a lasting impact on the university and all of those associated with it. We wish Ben all the best as he steps back to focus on his family.”
Sasse showed appreciation for the university community, thanking everyone from faculty to maintenance crews. “We love you. You touched our hearts and made this more than a job — you made it our community,” he stated. “That’s why we’re not going anywhere.”
Slevin contributed to this report from Denver.
Ben Sasse to Resign as University of Florida President to Care for Family
By Mike Schneider and Colleen Slevin, Associated Press
Education, July 19, 2024, 3:15 PM EDT
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Ben Sasse, president of the University of Florida and a noted figure in higher education, is stepping down to prioritize his family's needs after his wife received an epilepsy diagnosis. Nearly two years ago, Sasse's appointment was met with controversy when he took the helm of one of the nation’s leading public universities.
In a post on the social media platform X, Sasse, a former U.S. senator from Nebraska, revealed on Thursday evening that he had requested university officials to initiate the search for his successor following considerable introspection and family discussions. His resignation will take effect on July 31.
“I need to step back for a time and focus more on the needs of my family while we rebuild more stable household systems,” Sasse stated, while also indicating that he will continue to teach at the university in Gainesville, Florida.
Sasse's wife, Melissa, has faced health challenges since suffering an aneurysm and a series of strokes in 2007. Her recent epilepsy diagnosis has resulted in new memory complications, and Sasse noted, “We've battled some nasty seizures over the last couple of years, but she has always remained a warrior.” The couple has two college-aged daughters and a 13-year-old son.
Previously, Sasse served in the Senate where he was a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, notably voting for the president's impeachment after the Capitol riot in 2021, which drew ire from many within his own party. Despite this, he supported Trump 85% of the time and played a role in confirming the former president’s three Supreme Court appointees.
During his tenure at the University of Florida, Sasse was met with significant pushback from faculty and students, largely due to his conservative views on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ issues. His selection as president was also questioned for its transparency, as some faculty members expressed doubts about his qualifications to lead such a large institution, which serves over 50,000 students. The university's faculty Senate had even voted no confidence regarding the selection process that culminated in Sasse being the sole finalist.
When asked to reflect on Sasse's legacy at the university, Meera Sitharam, president of the faculty union, remarked, “I don't think he has done very much that was positive.” Faculty members criticized Sasse for not adequately defending academic freedom and allowing political interference from Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration. Additionally, a report by the American Association of University Professors highlighted concerns about declining academic autonomy in the Florida university system during DeSantis’ leadership.
Earlier in July, the University of Florida expelled several pro-Palestinian protesters arrested during an April demonstration, overruling a less severe recommendation from the administration. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Sasse remarked, “We wish we didn't have to, but the students weighed the costs, made their decisions, and will own the consequences as adults. We're a university, not a daycare. We don't coddle emotions; we wrestle with ideas.”
Mori Hosseini, chair of the university’s board of trustees, expressed gratitude for Sasse’s leadership, stating, “He has left a lasting impact on the university and all of those associated with it. We wish Ben all the best as he steps back to focus on his family.”
Sasse showed appreciation for the university community, thanking everyone from faculty to maintenance crews. “We love you. You touched our hearts and made this more than a job — you made it our community,” he stated. “That’s why we’re not going anywhere.”
Slevin contributed to this report from Denver.