We come at a time of great harmony. Fall semester is a time for UF students to celebrate and rejoice in a new cycle of possibilities and opportunities for the new academic year. While this time is meant for new beginnings, it’s important to feel grounded and conscientious of turning points on our campus. Some would call these recent events the “elephant in the room,” an event that is hard to ignore.
Ben Sasse, former president at University of Florida, sent out a public statement via X on July 18, stating he decided to resign after 17 months due to a long history of family health issues. I first felt surprised and melancholy. However, I looked back at an insightful lesson my professor taught me which is “Gators have thick skin.” This means to become resilient during challenging times.
A month later, an article published by The Alligator revealed the negligent spending of former president Ben Sasse. This article further criticizes his choices, such as hiring previous GOP participants as UF staffers. This criticism is rooted in expecting a top college administrator to be politically celibate in his policies for the University. These reports were well structured and laid out specific allegations and directed the audience to create a new impression of Ben Sasse.
Many Jewish students, like myself, are grateful for his initiative in protecting Jewish students on campus when necessary. He balanced both free speech and the right to protest while preventing disturbance of the peace on UF campus, uniquely servicing different groups' concerns. I believe Sasse displayed his love for constitutional rights during a time where other college administrations became overwhelmed and failed to protect students from peacefully continuing their education on campus.
With recent news regarding Sasse, supporters for his term are forced to create a new impression of him. This requires maturity and careful observation of the facts. This is especially hard since it directly hits home instead of from afar, such as when Trump was found guilty under the judicial process.
Ben Sasse deserves due process just like any other citizen found with allegations that can tarnish their character. Whether this will go further than a news report, there should be strict scrutiny in revealing his innocence or conviction. This will increase transparency and give a clearer picture of our former president’s actions.
Like many universities, there is a chase for prestige. The subject matter involved where administrators receive a high salary for their role is not new. Many presidents from high ranking universities are paid exorbitant amounts. While this requires unveiling the value for their role, we can reason that an administration is willing to pay those prices to receive a higher ranking on a national basis.
University presidents are paid much more than a typical congressman or national service since universities have focused on creating product incentives that are not limited to academic opportunity. It so happens that UF was named a “new ivy” last spring among many other promising rankings. This might be a coincidence on top of hard work over the years, but it's understandable that capital can expedite certain outcomes and put accomplishments in the eyes of important people.
Two truths can coexist, Sasse did leave based on personal matters and reports on his exorbitant spending can be true. We will also need to consider the administration’s required approval for Ben Sasse’s budget. In addition, a president’s spending is a subset of the entire university’s budget. I would expect the administration to overlook these spendings and create sound decisions. Overall, due process is required to lament the facts. We can never have a collective agreement on facts and will ultimately hold different perceptions on the events that occur.
The quick turnaround from UF’s administration has been incredible by reinstating Kent Fuchs as interim president. He has eight years of experience under his belt operating as UF’s president. As a transfer student in my second year here, his administration will be new to me but reminiscent for locals that have seen him in action. It is quite a time to be a gator. Go Gators.
Abraham Hilu is a UF political science senior.
