United Faculty of Florida

Yesterday, those who teach Intro to Sociology at Florida colleges (as opposed to universities) received a ready-made curriculum from the state and were ordered to teach it.

Yes, you read that correctly. The *state* is enforcing a curriculum on college profs, complete w/ the following restrictions:

Americans Want Scientific Research. The Government Cut It Anyway. | NEA According to new Pew survey, the U.S. public supports investment in research and wants to see the U.S. as a leader in the field.

“The bald truth is that if this level of science funding cuts continues... No one has any idea who will come in to fill the gap.”
- Dr. Meera Sitharam, professor of computer science and president of @uffuf.bsky.social
www.nea.org/nea-today/al...

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: WHO DECIDES WHAT WE TEACH? SOCIOLOGY AND THE POLITICS OF CURRICULUM. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: WHO DECIDES WHAT WE TEACH? SOCIOLOGY AND THE POLITICS OF CURRICULUM. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

floridaea.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Tomorrow at 6 pm, join members of @unitedfacultyfl.bsky.social and former @asanews.bsky.social presidents Ruth Milkman and Aldon Morris for a discussion of Florida's attempt to create and impose censored sociology textbooks on faculty across the state. Registration link below.

Last week in Tallahassee, FSU faculty and grad assistants testified against the anti-union bill (SB 1296).
@uff-fsu.bsky.social

#UnionStrong

Do Florida public universities really embrace the Western Tradition? • Florida Phoenix It’s a lousy time to be a kid in Florida. You’re told you can’t read certain books or study certain subjects or discuss certain topics. You’re told you can’t go by your chosen name; you must conform t...

New piece from a UFF-FSU member in @floridaphoenix.com asks whether Florida’s public universities truly uphold the Western tradition — and what that means for academic freedom, critical inquiry, and the future of higher ed. floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/09/d...

#HigherEd #AcademicSky #FSU #FLNews #UFF

Why do they want to make it harder for us? Today’s FL Senate Committee meeting in SB 1296.#walkandtalkwithspar #publicschoolsareyourschools #publicschoolproud #teachersoftiktok

Faculty and students rally over 0% faculty raise, demand action from Cartwright Faculty and students gathered outside UCF's Student Union patio on Wednesday to protest a proposed 0% salary increase for faculty, calling on university leadership to reconsider compensation prioritie...

"The rally, organized by the UFF-UCF, brought together professors, staff and students who marched to Millican Hall to deliver postcards addressed to UCF President Alexander Cartwright."

www.nicholsonstudentmedia.com/news/faculty...

Virginia’s New Governor Ends ICE Program. Local Contracts Remain, For Now. - Bolts Abigail Spanberger left the 287(g) program, which empowered state law enforcement to detain immigrants. Will Democrats also bar local police and sheriffs from the program?

NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.

This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.

Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.

Schools, churches, and hospitals should be protected spaces — not places of fear.

Every child deserves a safe place to learn, regardless of who they are or where they come from.

✍️ Write Congress and tell them to safeguard our protected spaces: bit.ly/49pXHQU

“We will not be intimidated into silence.”

—Dr. Leonard Bright, AAUP Texas A&M

This fight is bigger than Texas A&M—it is about whether public universities will serve democracy or fear it.

@tamu-aaup.bsky.social
@texasaft.org
@texasaaup.bsky.social
@movetexas.bsky.social

AFT’s Weingarten Responds to Shooting of Second Protester in Minnesota WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after federal agents shot and killed a second Minnesotan:“I was in Minnesota yesterday, joining tens of thousands of people gat...

This administration's statements belie what we can see with our own eyes.The federal govt's actions today—both the killing and the cover-up—are a disgrace. Since the president will not, we must call on Congress to act to create accountability 4 this federal malfeasance.
www.aft.org/press-releas...

Minnesota educators say ICE activity is causing problems in the classroom Teachers say more students are opting into virtual learning. But educators say that while it is a short-term solution, it comes with long-term consequences.

The chaos and fear ICE is bringing to our communities is disrupting learning. I'm proud to see educators meeting the moment by offering virtual learning options and doing all they can to keep students safe.
www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...

“The BOG is claiming it is not censorship because the courses will still be in the catalogue and faculty can still teach them. However... departments will not be able to afford moving faculty into electives.”
- @uff-fsu.bsky.social president

www.fsunews.com/story/news/2...

FSU faculty are speaking out against new BOG regulations that limit CoreFSU courses, calling them a threat to academic freedom and critical thinking. Universities should challenge students—not censor ideas. Read more:
www.fsunews.com/story/news/2...

Tens of thousands of workers in Florida have just lost their labor unions. More is coming A WLRN investigation begins to reveal the scope of SB 256, a sweeping anti-union labor law passed in 2023. What is emerging is an outright crisis for teachers and other public sector workers. “The wor...

A reminder of WHY this is happening: recent state laws want to nullify collective bargaining & decertify public unions statewide. So this process is by state design.

BUT we will NOT let the state rob UF faculty of a right enshrined in our state constitution. Keep watch for the ballot shown above!

UF faculty! Eligible faculty (those represented by UFF regardless of membership status) were mailed a ballot from FL Public Employees Relations Commission this week. It’s VERY important to open, vote, stamp, sign & return this. Why should you vote YES & 📪 ? ⬇️

www.instagram.com/reel/DTyCRB9...

Infographic on Public Employee Relations commission requirements that unions without 60% density must go through a timely and costly recertification vote each year or entirely lose their public union and collective bargaining agreements/protections. Return the ballot from PERC mailed to your home address.

Mail your PERC ballots back to PERC, UF faculty. The deadline is early next week so mail TODAY. Why does this matter & what can we do about it?

Hollywood, Pro Sports Union Talks Primed to Rally Labor in 2026 Union deals in the entertainment and professional sports industries are set to expire in 2026, setting the stage for attention-grabbing contract disputes that could have ripple effects across organize...

“These types of labor issues matter very much to smaller unions because they put the idea of collective bargaining into the public consciousness, which can be very motivating."
- Dr. Paul Ortiz, former UFF president & labor historian
news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-...

Today we are all Minnesota. The AFT is standing proudly in support and solidarity here in Minneapolis against ICE’s assault on people’s constitutional, civil and human rights.
#ICEOUT #ICEOutSchools

UNF records show 14 administrators received over $412K in raises as faculty got $1,200 each | UNF Spinnaker UFF-UNF salary data shows 14 administrators received $412,735.63 in raises, while about 250 faculty members received $1,200 across-the-board raises.

"...The total amount distributed to 14 administrators exceeded the entire faculty raise pool by 37.58% more than the raise amount allocated to about 500 faculty."

unfspinnaker.com/112829/news/...

Florida bill proposes 10% cap on foreign student enrollment Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…

Florida lawmakers are weighing a proposal to cap international students at 10% of enrollment. @unitedfacultyfl.bsky.social says it’s a political move that would drain university budgets + weaken academic quality.
#HigherEd #Florida #InternationalStudents #AcademicFreedom

The Florida Education Association, a state affiliate of the NEA and AFT representing more than 123,000 public school teachers and school staff, has released a resolution in solidarity with striking Starbucks workers organized with Starbucks Workers United: feaweb.org/release/reso...

UCF first in Florida to shift from regional accreditation amid Commission for Public Higher Education Push UCF President Alexander Cartwright announced Dec. 2 that UCF became the first Florida university to receive accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, one of the nation’s largest institutional a...

“How can an accreditor investigate state interference - from the state that’s paying its employees?”
- Dr. Cassanello, UFF President and UCF history professor

www.nicholsonstudentmedia.com/news/ucf-fir...

Friday - Florida D.O.H. Schools Vaccine Discussion SHARE YOUR INPUT: link in caption THIS Friday Dec. 12 - the FL Department of Health will be discussing vaccine guidelines (rule 64D-3.046). This could be the first step in rolling back vaccinations that aren't required by law. FEA will be there and will share your concerns, thoughts, and expertise. UFF members - check your email for more info.

Share your input here ➡️ secure.ngpvan.com/o0mlSKNsvECK...
@floridaea.bsky.social

Conservative Think Tank AEI Names Ben Sasse Senior Fellow The American Enterprise Institute, a prominent conservative-leaning think tank, has named former U.S. senator and university president Ben Sasse a nonresident senior fellow, AEI announced Friday. Its ...

Conservative Think Tank AEI Names Ben Sasse Senior Fellow

"Florida’s faculty union leaders are calling DeSantis’ comments 'dishonest' and 'misinformation,' and say it’s just another strategy to run for president in 2028, as less than 2% of the university's workforce is occupied by H-1B visa holders."
www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l...

Right now: I'm watching a stream of University of Nebraska Board, as AAUP/AFT members & community fight austerity cuts. And, I'm watching thousands congregate at UVA to stop a billionaire takeover. And in a meeting to discuss our court win @ UCLA. Higher Ed resistance is leading! @aaup.org @aft.org

"It's time for Floridians to stand up to this billionaire-funded interest group and demand a public education system that educates."
- Article by Dr. Cassanello, UFF president, and Dr. Rainwater, UFF member

www.tallahassee.com/story/opinio...