In recent news, the New College of Florida has made headlines due to its agreement with the US Department of Education concerning allegations of discrimination based on disability. This federal investigation, launched earlier this month, has sparked significant attention and raised questions about the treatment of disabled individuals within the educational institution.
The New College of Florida has faced scrutiny in the past, particularly regarding its handling of minimum wage violations. A report from 2019 revealed that the minimum wage violation rate among low-wage Floridians was 14.6 percent, nearly double what it was between 2000 and 2005.[0] The violation rate spiked even higher after Floridians voted in 2004 to increase the state minimum wage.[0] In 2015, it reached a peak of 26 percent.[0]
However, the recent agreement with the US Department of Education focuses specifically on allegations of discrimination based on disability. While the details of the investigation have not been fully disclosed, it is clear that the college is taking these allegations seriously and is willing to work with the federal government to address any concerns.
This news comes at a time when the New College of Florida has been under scrutiny for other reasons as well. There have been accusations that the state government is using taxpayer money to buy a right-wing student body through athletic scholarships.[1] These allegations suggest that the state government is attempting to replace students they have driven out by bringing in athletes from Christian private schools who align with their right-wing, religious beliefs.
Critics argue that this move is not about sports or providing student athletes with opportunities for a college education.[2] Instead, it is seen as a political maneuver to shape the student body and promote a specific ideology on campus. This controversy has sparked debates about the role of athletics in higher education and the use of taxpayer funds for such purposes.
Dave Zirin, the sports editor of The Nation Magazine, has been vocal about this issue.[2] He argues that the state government’s actions are not in the best interest of the students or the college as a whole. Zirin believes that the focus should be on providing quality education and support for all students, rather than using athletics as a means to push a particular agenda.
In light of these recent developments, it is clear that the New College of Florida is facing significant challenges. The federal investigation into allegations of discrimination based on disability, coupled with the controversy surrounding the use of athletic scholarships, has put the institution under intense scrutiny. It remains to be seen how the college will address these issues and what steps will be taken to ensure a fair and inclusive environment for all students.
0. “Planned overhaul of New College of Florida is ‘not financially viable,’ says review” Creative Loafing Tampa, 3 Oct. 2023, https://www.cltampa.com/news/planned-overhaul-of-new-college-of-florida-is-not-financially-viable-says-review-16455540
1. “DeSantis’s twisted New College of Florida experiment” The Real News Network, 28 Sep. 2023, https://therealnews.com/desantis-is-using-sports-scholarships-to-purge-a-florida-college
2. “How DeSantis Is Using Sports to Hijack a Florida College” The Nation, 4 Oct. 2023, https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/new-college-sarasota-florida-desantis/
