Trustee of New College of Florida criticizes civil rights investigation as ‘Pronoun police’
Trustee Blasts Biden Administration for Civil Rights Investigation at Florida College
A trustee of a public liberal arts college in Florida has strongly criticized the Biden administration for launching a federal civil rights investigation after Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) implemented conservative changes at the school.
Chris Rufo, a trustee at New College of Florida, has vowed to stand firm against the Department of Education’s civil rights investigation, which he believes is politically motivated. Rufo and the other trustees were recently appointed by DeSantis to transform the college into a conservative institution, taking inspiration from Hillsdale College.
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In a post on his Substack, Rufo described the investigation as a “brazen attempt to subvert the democratic governance of New College and entrench left-wing ideological programs under the guise of civil rights law.”
“Last week, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into the Sarasota-based university, where I serve as a trustee, for alleged ‘discrimination on the basis of disability,'” Rufo stated in a Washington Examiner interview. “They want to use civil rights law to force everyone to falsify reality and use absurd, ideologically loaded ‘neo-pronouns.’ I will never bend. I will never bow. I will never submit to the Biden administration’s pronoun police.”
In a letter to New College of Florida’s interim President Richard Corcoran, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced the launch of an investigation into the school for potential violations of federal civil rights laws protecting individuals with disabilities. The investigation was initiated following a complaint filed against the school.
“The Complainant alleges that the College is failing to afford persons with disabilities an opportunity to participate in and benefit from the services, programs, and activities communicated through the College’s websites and third-party websites that is equal to opportunities afforded to others,” stated the department in the letter.
According to the complaint, the school was accused of violating federal civil rights law by removing gender-neutral bathroom signs. The complaint also highlighted the trustees’ decision to eliminate the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, as well as the gender studies department, as potential civil rights violations. Additionally, the complaint mentioned the termination of DEI dean and chief diversity officer Yoleidy Rosario-Hernandez, noting that Rufo had misgendered Rosario-Hernandez by using the pronoun “she” instead of the gender-neutral pronoun “ze.”
The Washington Examiner has reached out to the Department of Education for comment.
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