In this episode of Palm Court Podcast, we talk with journalist Kathryn Joyce about the state of public education in Florida. Joyce, an investigative editor at In These Times and author of two books on the Christian right, discusses her background and interest in the right-wing political movement’s influence on education. Her recent article, The New College Gambit, chronicles the New College story and forms the foundation of the conversation in this episode.
We discuss the right-wing takeover of New College, a small public liberal arts college in Florida, and the implications for higher education. The takeover, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, included a push to reconstitute the student body with athletes and the installation of new trustees with an agenda to dismantle the school along ideological lines.
We also discuss the impact of the ouster of Ben Sasse from the presidency at the University of Florida and the apparent political spoil system in Florida higher education.
Joyce discusses the potential outcomes of the takeover, including the possibility that New College will fail or be absorbed into the University of South Florida. She also discusses the importance of organizations such as PEN America and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in defending academic freedom.
The episode ends with a call to action for listeners to support independent journalists and news outlets and to pay attention to the threats to higher education in the United States and around the world. Don't miss it!
NOTES:
“The New College Gambit,” In These Times, 9 Dec 24, is one of the better accounts of recent events at New College.
“A Search for Answers. A Search for Blame,” was Joyce’s post-Parkland school-discipline story.
Flagler College hosted the non-partisan Freedom to Teach conference.
Libby Harrity and Steven Walker episodes.
“Classical education” could come to the D.O.D.’s 161 schools.
“The Trustee Solution” is an article trustee Mark Bauerlein wrote for trustee Christopher Rufo’s City Journal, advocating trustees make bold political moves.
Cost-per-student has begun to alarm the conservative Board of Governors.
Ben Sasse’s extravagant spending and sudden exit changed the political climate.
Liv Coleman is a University of Tampa prof and former political candidate.
Randy Fine, who proposed merging NCF involuntarily into a larger university in 2020, then lost a bid to become president of FAU, is currently running to fill a national seat vacated by a Trump appointment.
Aaron Hillegass, tech entrepreneur and former NCF data science director.
NCF’s largest class ever remains the 861 students of 2015-16; more students have been accepted and enrolled recently, but subsequently transferred out in large numbers as well.
AAUP’s more activist stance resulted, in part, in a detailed report on New College.
Universities did not fare well under Pinochet.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
01:03 Reflecting on January 6th and New College
01:18 Interview with Journalist Kathryn Joyce
02:25 Kathryn Joyce's Background and Work
03:12 The Right-Wing Influence on Education
06:07 The New College Takeover
08:27 Challenges and Future of New College
12:21 Broader Implications and Activism
21:46 Final Thoughts and Campus Reflections
33:00 Conclusion and Farewell