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UF students, staff react after Ono rejected for presidency

Dr. Santa Ono, the sole finalist to become the next president at the University of Florida, speaks Tuesday during a public forum for faculty at Emerson Hall regarding his plans for the university. (Juan Carlos Chaoui/WUFT News)
Dr. Santa Ono, the sole finalist to become the next president at the University of Florida, speaks Tuesday during a public forum for faculty at Emerson Hall regarding his plans for the university. (Juan Carlos Chaoui/WUFT News)

Santa Ono will not become president at the University of Florida. The board of governors voted against the move yesterday.

WUFT's Jessica Wilkinson spoke to UF students and staff about their reaction.

"His like beliefs were not in our best interest at all," said one student. "And I don't know, it's already been a little bit rough for us recently, so that was not gonna help anything."

"I don't see any qualification that would've stopped him from being an amazing university president. And I can't imagine the university looking at that and thinking that that's a reason to give up such a strong candidate for president of university," said another.

"I think that's a shame for this school. I have a new student coming here as a freshman, and I was so happy to know that President Ona was coming here. I'm just finding this out now and I'm so disappointed. I'm shocked," another said.

The school will now have to start a new search, in an effort to find a new president.

Jessica is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.


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