Campaign Rises Against Bell’s Appointment At UF
Former University of Ala President Dr. Stuart Bell is set to become the University of Florida Interim President on July 1st. However, there is significant opposition to his becoming the permanent president.
An undercover investigation by an organization called Accuracy in Media is alleging Bell continued to facilitate taxpayer-funded Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness activities at The Capstone, even as it was being banned by the Alabama Legislature and Washington.
In their story on the Accuracy in Media website, a clandestine video documents an undercover journalist's meeting with Shemaiah Kenon, Assistant Director of the Intercultural Center at Alabama. She described a drag queen event previously hosted on campus and was asked if UA could back such an event now.
“We probably won’t, but a student organization can,” Kenon said. “Basically they apply for funding… if you donate the funds, you can do it. Like the legal ways around it. I don’t know if our state reps (lawmakers who passed state ban on DEI) were really aware of that.”
Kenon then went of to say she had discovered weaknesses in the legislation that can be exploited. “When I read the draft of the bill, people were calling me like, ‘This is blasphemy.’ I said it’s actually stupid because I found some holes.”
Kenon then noted that UA faculty and staff are largly progressive politically and began looking for the loopholes in the legislation.
LGBTQ+ students and resources and access available to them was mentioned in the conversation as what was of most concern.
It was stated that faculty was receiving guidance in how to incorporate, "DEI principles into their classrooms despite the policy changes."
While it is not certain that Dr. Bell was totally aware of the DEI workround at UA, the interview and alligations of his continued support for DEI, despite the ban, are key issues being used by conservatives who oppose him becoming UF president.
A SAVEUF website has been setup for UF faithfull to register their concerns about Bell and oppose his appointment.. The message urges those concerned to send Accuracy in Media the following message::
"I just saw the hidden camera video of an Alabama staffer bragging about continuing DEI programs despite the state law. This occurred when Stuart Bell was in charge of the university.
"Either he's incompetent and incapable of ensuring his staff follows the law, or he was aware of what his staff was doing. Regardless, this disqualifies him from running a university."
The message points out Arizona State and Ohio State, are now under federal investigation and that suuport for DEI could put University of Florida's federal funds in jeopardy.
The Florida Board of Governors, who must give final approval for Bell's nomination has voiced concern but will schedule a vote soon.
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