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Faculty Association Press Releases

Press Release: October 14, 2025 

On September 15, Chancellor Ray Rodriques sent a letter to all university presidents on Sept. 15. Rodrigues’ letter directed administrators to review policies for student and employee social media conduct and called posts that made light of Kirk’s death “abhorrent.” 

In response to the Chancellor’s letter to all SUS Presidents, the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates released the following resolution: 

Advisory Council of Faculty Senates Advocating for Academic Excellence in the State University System of Florida Resolution on Safeguarding Free Expression in the State University System of Florida WHEREAS, on September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while participating in a campus speaking event at Utah Valley University – an act of violence that constitutes a direct assault on free expression and civil discourse; WHEREAS, institutions of higher education are founded upon the principle that universities must remain open forums for the free and lawful exchange of ideas, including those that may be controversial or unpopular;  
WHEREAS, the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida and the twelve State University System Boards of Trustees have affirmed that the role of a public university is not to shield individuals from ideas they may find objectionable, but to protect the rights of all members of the university community to engage with and respond to a wide range of perspectives – “even if other members of our community may find those ideas abhorrent”;  

WHEREAS violence, intimidation, or suppression of speech has no place in a democratic society or on a university campus, and directly undermines public trust in the role of higher education. 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates:  

  1. Unequivocally condemns the murder of Charlie Kirk as a reprehensible act of violence and an attack on the principles of free expression and lawful discourse.  
  2. Reaffirms its commitment to protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of political belief, to engage in peaceful speech, public dialogue, and civil debate on university campuses.  
  3. Opposes any effort to suppress, punish or otherwise infringe upon members of our public university communities’ lawfully protected exercise of free speech and expression; and  
  4. Calls on Educational Leaders in the State of Florida to safeguard our educational institutions as bastions of free expression and civil discourse, consistent with the purpose of institutions of higher learning within a free and open society.  
    1. Supreme Court of the United States, Keyishian v. Board of Regents, 385 U.S. 589 (1967) b. Supreme Court of the United States, “Sweezy v. New Hampshire by Wyman, Attorney General, 354 U.S. 234 (1957)” c. State University System of Florida Statement of Free Expression, April 15 2019, https://www.flbog.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SPC_09_Civil-Discourse_Final_CE.pdf 
      On October 2, Faculty Association asked President Limayem to respond to the letter sent by FIRE reaffirming UNF’s commitment to protecting the free speech of faculty.   

Press Release: October 14, 2025 

House Bill 113, that would require UNF and all other Florida public colleges and universities to rename their main roads after Charlie Kirk, is inconsistent, if the goal of the legislation is to celebrate free speech. It is strange way celebrate free speech by requiring universities to rename a street specific to their institution and require what the actual name should be. Allowing specific institutions to rename streets in the cause of free speech would be a more consistent way. Naming UNF Drive to Freedom of Speech Way would be a true celebration of free speech, for example. 

Press Release: October 9, 2025

While the responses from faculty to the announcement of President Limayem's USF Presidential finalist position have varied greatly, all faculty who have contacted Faculty Association are unanimous in its outcome, that we are more vulnerable from outside influences shaping UNF than ever before. Here are a couple of faculty comments: 
Faculty Association is creating opportunities for faculty to get involved and be informed before any potential changes occur. Our new FA Task Force on Government Policy met for the first time last week. This will provide our Office of Government Relations and Academic and Student Affairs with up to date information on policies which affect faculty.  

The second opportunity will be on October 29 in the form of a town hall on Political Influence in Presidential Searches. I have asked several faculty leaders from Florida Atlantic University, the University of West Florida, and other faculty leaders to help lead this important discussion.