A national academic organization characterized the evolution of New College of Florida as a threat on high education as a whole. But the Sarasota university’s administration said the school needed to change to avoid complete insolvency.

The American Association of University Professors released a report last week criticizing state leadership in Florida. The report said Florida has led the way in politically motivated attacks on higher education, and that an “unprecedented takeover of New College” serves as a prime example. The report quotes former professors from New College who view the naming of new trustees, firing of former College President Patricia Okker and hiring of current New College President Richard Corcoran as part of a larger, nefarious plan.

“This is a test case for a conservative overhaul of higher education—and it isn’t going to stay isolated to New College or Florida,” said Nicholas Clarkson, an assistant professor of Gender Studies who resigned from New College in August.

The report notes a decision to deny tenure for five faculty members applying in their fifth year who had been approved by a faculty review committee, but were ultimately denied tenure. Authors of the report also suggested angst over coming shifts in curriculum for the school.

“While the content of the proposed new curriculum remains uncertain, it is increasingly clear that some subjects can no longer be taught at New College,” the report states.

Corcoran released an extensive response to the report, acknowledging differences in opinion about the direction New College should take by stressing the school needed a shift in direction.

“What many do not know is that for many decades New College has faced significant challenges including deteriorating facilities and declining enrollment,” he said. “It became imperative to develop a plan for growth before the school went insolvent, even if not all decisions during the transition were universally embraced.”

He said the report does not align with the administration’s vision for New College, and suggested it also isn’t an assessment shared by current faculty and student. Rather, it shows an increasingly polarized academic environment across the country.

“Florida has always valued educational choice and freedom, principles we proudly espouse. Reports such as the AAUP’s shed extreme light on the polarized landscape taking place in higher education, and our position on classic liberal arts and educational freedom is a stance on which we will not yield,” Corcoran said.

“New College's focus lies in the incredible opportunities ahead for our growing student body, faculty, and staff, and we remain diligently committed to this. As we go forward into 2024, I look forward to coming together as a collective community of educators, faculty, and students who have traversed beyond the sensational press, and focus our inspiration on the rich history of excellence that has always been the baseline of New College.”