Education

UF selects Sasse as its next president; conservative U.S. senator pledges ‘political celibacy’

The University of Florida on Tuesday formally selected Ben Sasse as its next president, setting aside concerns that the appointment of a conservative Republican U.S. senator from Nebraska would further politicize the state’s flagship higher education institution. The university’s board of trustees – largely appointed by Republican governors – voted …

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UF Faculty Senate approves vote of no confidence in presidential selection process

The University of Florida Faculty Senate passed a resolution Thursday indicating it has no confidence in a selection process that designated Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, as the sole nominee to be UF’s 13th president. After two-and-a-half hours of debate, the Senate voted 72-16 to approve the resolution drafted last week stating the faculty was dissatisfied with a lack of openness in the selection process. Many faculty members were also displeased with Sasse’s lack of support for abortion and LGBTQ rights.

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Deputies: Elementary teacher left gun in car that was found by students

A teacher is facing felony criminal charges after deputies say she had a loaded handgun in her car at Chiefland Elementary School. Paige Ehlers, a first-year teacher, sent two fourth-grade students to her car to get her medication Monday. The Levy County Sheriff’s Office said when the students went into the car they saw a gun and told school staff who contacted the school’s resource deputy. The school board said Ehlers was placed on administrative leave because having the loaded handgun is a violation of school policy. While it is legal for a person to carry a concealed firearm in a vehicle, school districts can have policies negating the law. Ehlers is facing charges of child endangerment. She was released from jail Tuesday and was not required to pay bond.

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