New College becomes epicenter of fight over “woke” political ideologies

In Florida, New College’s conservative makeover is proving to be ground zero in the state’s battle to remove social justice ideology from campuses across the state.

The Biden administration’s Education Department Office for Civil Rights have launched two investigations into Florida’s New College, according to the department’s website.

New College found itself in the crosshairs earlier this year after it eliminated a gender studies program, the Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) office, and officials “misgendered” people.

Christopher Rufo, a conservative writer, filmmaker, and activist, was appointed as one of six new board trustees this year by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who envisioned New College offering a classical education.

Mr. Rufo said on Substack Sept. 12 that American Civil Liberties Union attorney Jennifer Granick, an alumna of New College, prompted the complaint.

Besides reporting that the college removed its DEI department and gender studies, Ms. Granick alleged that the college’s trustees and administrators violated civil rights law by removing “gender neutral” signage from bathrooms and “misgendered” a former DEI director and student, who used “ze/zir” and “they/them” as pronouns, Mr. Rufo wrote.

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