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University of Florida

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32611
Phone
(352) 392-3261
Email address
freshman@ufl.edu
School Information
"At UF, our students utilize more than 200 research, service and education centers, bureaus and institutes. With some of the most future-focused facilities led by some of the best minds in their fields, it’s no wonder UF is consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities. Rankings like second among Forbes 'Best Value Public Colleges' (2016) and second in Kiplinger’s 'Best Values in Public Colleges' (2015) are a result of UF’s commitment to provide the highest quality education at the best value." The university has a 17:1 student-faculty ratio and offers 24 majors. (Source: https://www.ufl.edu/about/university-facts/) (Source: https://www.ufl.edu/academics/)
General Information
UF has launched a presidential task force to review the naming of campus spaces. Additionally, the university has required its students, faculty, and staff to engage in anti-bias training. Although changes to the UF curriculum were announced, the specific details of these changes are unknown. Additionally, the university is providing faculty with funds to "study racial disparities". See developments below:

Actions Taken

Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • Students, Faculty, and Staff will be required to engage in anti-bias training.
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • This year will be themed around issues of race, inequity, and the black experience. There will be changes to elements of the University of Florida Curriculum.
  • The General Education Committee (GEC) is tasked with "evaluat[ing] practices of the GEC for hidden bias, lack of hospitality, etc. and mak[ing] changes" as well as "increas[ing] the number of race-related courses that are approved for Diversity credit Post all race-related courses on the General Education site." Lastly, UF intends to "charge a task force of faculty, staff and students to evaluate current GEC policies, requirements, and practices and provide recommendations for increasing diversity and enhancing educational opportunities for students to learn about racism and practice anti-racism."
  • The university has set a variety of anti-racism goals for itself. These include establishin a "post-Doctoral Fellowship with emphasis on anti-Black Racism by Fall 2021," "creat[ing] [the] UF Center for the Study of Racism in Education by Summer 2022," "develop[ing] [a] new Doctoral concentration that centers on issues of race and racism in education (By Fall 2022)," and "launch[ing] [a] Graduate Concentration – Critical Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture in Education."
Political Actions and Support for Anti-Racism
  • The university hosted the "Racial Equity and Inclusion Workshop" and the "School of Architecture Diversity Workshop" as part of their "Design, Construction and Planning" processes.
Program and Research Funding
  • "The University of Florida is committing nearly $1 million to faculty research projects focused on racial disparities in health care, diversity in professional programs, challenges in developing and teaching an inclusive curriculum, and strategies for creating a more inclusive campus environment."
  • "Researchers, staff, and students from the UF Center for Arts in Medicine launched an online repository to elevate arts-based responses to racism. "The searchable, open-access database allows anyone to explore or submit artwork, articles, projects, organizations, and individuals who are using arts practices to raise awareness, amplify marginalized voices, facilitate dialogue, or promote action and change related to anti-racism."
  • The university is setting aside nearly $1 million to faculty research projects pertaining to "racial disparities in health care, diversity in professional programs, challenges in developing and teaching an inclusive curriculum, and strategies for creating a more inclusive campus environment."
Resources
  • The university's Anthropology Department invited all minority students taking a particular course to a virtual townhall. Caucasian students taking the same course were not invited.
Symbolic Actions
  • A presidential task force will review the naming and possible removal of names from buildings and spaces on campus.
Last updated September 14th, 2022
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