Activists oppose New College’s progress for students due to ‘misgendering’ complaint to feds.
The Battle for the Future of American Higher Education
New College of Florida is ground zero in the battle for the future of American higher education. For decades, the liberal arts school in the city of Sarasota was a failed institution by virtually all measures. Yet under new leadership with a commitment to diversity of thought, intellectual freedom, and rigorous academic standards, it has swiftly emerged as a thriving hub of learning.
This achievement represents an existential threat to activists who believe public colleges and universities should be, not forums for learning, but taxpayer-funded indoctrination centers. That is why they were so quick to respond.
‘Misgendering’ Allegation Sparks Complaint
Recently, a group of alumni, faculty, and students filed a complaint with the Department of Education. The complaint alleges New College has created a hostile environment by committing such wrongs as “misgendering” an employee who goes by the pronouns “ze” and “zir” and moving students out of mold-riddled dorms into high-quality hotels.
Make no mistake, the goal here is to weaponize the department’s Office of Civil Rights and return power to those who nearly destroyed New College via a noxious combination of radical ideology and stunning administrative ineptitude.
New College Corrects Course
Today, new student enrollment is skyrocketing. Campus safety has dramatically improved. Food options have multiplied and increased in quality. After a commissioned mold study, the college is in the process of significantly improving student housing. A sports program has been founded, which has already had a vibrant impact on student life. And all this happened while focusing on academics.
Ironically, the group filing the complaint, which of course professes to be all about diversity, is scoffing at the varied composition of the new student body. New College had limited minority enrollments before the school’s new leadership. Since then, black enrollment has increased by about 300 percent and Hispanic enrollment by approximately 90 percent. When the left pushes for “diversity,” it seeks a mass of people with different skin colors all chanting the same dogmas in unison.
Partisan news media have also taken aim at New College’s success. In one instance, The New York Times published an opinion piece that claimed the sports program was “masculinizing a place.” As a father of three daughters, I proudly attest that women play sports, too.
In another instance, the Tampa Bay Times spent six months on a story, told one side, got facts wrong, and even spelled my name incorrectly. The innuendo and editorializing continue. But we will not be deterred.
A Model For Liberal Arts Revival
The dramatic turnaround is due to the decisive leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, and, in particular, his appointments to New College’s board of trustees. The school’s return to classical liberal arts provides a deeply appealing alternative for colleges and universities, not just in Florida, but across the entire nation.
The complaint against New College reveals that its filers are concerned not about improving student achievement but retaining their raw power to indoctrinate. That’s why New College matters so much. Because how we educate the next generation will determine the future, specifically whether America will have the courage and aptitude to defend its foundation.
How does New College’s commitment to providing a conducive learning environment demonstrate their prioritization of student safety and well-being
Program has been reinstated, and investments in faculty hiring have led to a stronger academic environment. These positive changes are a direct result of the new leadership’s dedication to excellence and a commitment to providing students with the best possible education.
However, amid these remarkable transformations, there are still those who cling to the old ways and resist progress. The recent complaint filed against the college is a prime example of such resistance. The allegations made in the complaint are trivial at best and completely disregard the tremendous advancements and improvements that have taken place.
The accusation of “misgendering” an employee is one of the most absurd claims put forth. While respect for individual identities is crucial, it is unreasonable to expect everyone to adhere to every personal preference in language. Mistakes happen, and it is understandable that not everyone is immediately familiar with non-traditional pronouns. The idea that this isolated incident has led to a hostile environment is unfounded and ignores the broader positive atmosphere on campus.
Similarly, moving students out of mold-riddled dorms and into better accommodation is an action that any responsible institution would take. It is their duty to ensure the safety and well-being of their students. By prioritizing their needs over outdated facilities, New College has demonstrated its commitment to providing a conducive learning environment.
The ulterior motive behind this complaint becomes evident when considering the history of the college. The previous administration’s ideology-driven approach and administrative incompetence nearly destroyed the institution. It is clear that those behind the complaint wish to return to that era and suppress the progress that has been made.
The battle for the future of American higher education is not just about one college. It is a larger struggle between those who believe in the value of diverse perspectives, intellectual freedom, and rigorous academic standards, and those who seek to impose their own ideological agenda on the educational landscape. New College has become a symbol of this battle, with its remarkable turnaround demonstrating the positive impact of embracing these principles.
As the complaint makes its way through the Department of Education, it is essential that the true nature and intent behind it are recognized. The efforts to undermine the advancements made by the current leadership should not overshadow the impressive achievements and the renewed sense of purpose at New College.
The battle for the future of American higher education should not be derailed by frivolous complaints and ideological agendas. It should continue to focus on providing students with the best possible education, fostering intellectual growth, and preparing them for success in an ever-changing world. New College has shown that with effective leadership and a commitment to excellence, even the most challenging situations can be overcome.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...