Longtime academic Santa Ono has been rejected for the University of Florida presidency by the state university system board.

Santa Ono, who has led the University of Michigan since 2022, is the sole finalist to become president of the University of Florida, UF announced Sunday.

The UF presidential search committee recommended Dr. Ben Sasse as the sole finalist for the job to its Board of Trustees Thursday.

University of Florida President Kent Fuchs announced Wednesday that he plans to step down at the end of 2022, saying he has fulfilled commitments he made when he took the helm of the state’s flagship university.

A U.S. House subcommittee is investigating whether the University of Florida interfered with academic freedom and free speech when it stopped three professors from testifying as experts in a lawsuit challenging Florida’s controversial election law.

The University of Florida is reversing its position, saying it will allow three professors to serve as experts in a lawsuit challenging a new state election law.

Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference at the University of Florida.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida coach Dan Mullen was given several more chances Monday to clarify any confusion regarding his comments about wanting to pack 90,000 screaming fans inside Florida Field during the coronavirus pandemic. He declined each of them, brushing aside criticism and insisting he's focused on defending national champion LSU. “I think Texas A&M actually, they created a great atmosphere at the game, created an exciting atmosphere, you know?," the coach said. The Gators had 2,000 of a nearly 17,000 allotment unsold for their home opener against South Carolina two weeks ago. But Mullen apparently believes crowded bleachers would be OK.“These preventative measures remain the most effective ways to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Fuchs said.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. The University of Florida announced Thursday the ban of the Gator Bait cheer by the universitys athletics and Gator Band. In a letter from President Kent Fuchs that detailed out a list of plans to combat racism and social injustice on Floridas campus, the president listed the ban of the cheer by University Athletics and the Gator Band. While I know of no evidence of racism associated with our Gator Bait cheer at UF sporting events, there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase. Accordingly University Athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer, Fuchs said. The chant is used at Florida Gators sporting events in insinuating its opponents are gator bait.