Florida universities take hard line against student protesters

The big news: Florida’s universities continue to take a hard line against students who participated in pro-Palestine campus protests.

Despite recommendations for lighter penalties, the University of Florida’s dean of students suspended several demonstrators, withholding the diploma of at least one. All have been banned from campus, and would have to apply for readmission to resume their studies.

The dean didn’t offer any explanation for his actions, which the students are appealing. Read more from Fresh Take Florida.

The actions at UF come about a week after the University of South Florida moved to suspend two student protesters.

Hot topics

Volunteers: The Pasco County school district moved to clarify the difference between volunteers and visitors as it implements new volunteer background checks that the volunteers must pay for.

School leadership: Two Pasco County schools, and one in Hillsborough County, are getting new principals.

School choice: More than 260,000 Florida students used open-enrollment to attend schools other than the ones they are zoned for in 2022, Education Next reports. The vast majority selected schools with higher state grades.

Elections: The Leon County school district is refuting a school board candidate’s claims that changes to a security provider have made schools less safe, WFSU reports. • The Palm Beach County School Board’s only Latina member says she chose not to seek reelection because of career and personal priorities, but will remain involved in education issues, WLRN reports. Only one person qualified to replace her.

Graduation day: More than 500 Polk County high school seniors graduated this spring with a certificate of completion rather than a diploma, Lakeland Now reports. That’s a 29% decrease from the previous year.

Contract talks: Collier County teacher and district representatives aren’t close to a deal in salary negotiations, WINK reports.

College connections: The St. Lucie County school district extended several agreements with Florida Atlantic University, while taking over the university’s developmental K-8 lab school, TC Palm reports.

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