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Florida universities revamp general education courses amid concern over ‘woke ideologies’

"The Board of Governors shall periodically review the mission of each constituent university and make updates or revisions as needed," SB 266 reads. "Upon completion of a review of the mission, the board shall review existing academic programs for alignment with the mission."

 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has repeatedly targeted "woke" education. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Under the law, the board is tasked with conducting a comprehensive course review. 

"General education core courses may not distort significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches identity politics" or be "based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.

"Courses on ‘Humanities Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality[sic]’ and ‘Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion’ do not fulfill the mission of higher education," she added. 

Hundreds of courses, which previously counted toward graduation requirements, are on track to become electives, Politico reported. 

State universities in Florida have proposed removing courses focused on race and gender inequality from the general education roster.  (Fox News Digital)

Universities that don't purge general education courses in violation of the law and the recommendations from the Board of Governors could lose state education funding.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 266 into law in May 2023 after it was passed by the state legislature, which bans all state funding for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at Florida's public universities.  (Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images)

"You don’t just get to take taxpayer dollars and do whatever the heck you want to do and think that’s somehow OK," DeSantis said in 2023 when he signed SB 266 into law.

While critics of the move have claimed the move is an infringement on academic freedom, State University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodriques told Politico he disagrees. 

"An infringement on academic freedom would be to say this course can’t be offered at the university," Rodrigues said. "No one has said that in any of these scenarios. What we are saying is, we define what is general education." 

"We define that based upon what the state statutes have laid out, and we’re being compliant with that," he added. "And I think the courts have held that what gets designated as general education curriculum is up to the legislature who funds it."