The slide presentation includes a short intro from Fuchs, the outgoing president, who simply states that only three points affect faculty—"the law as it relates to instruction; recommendations on how to remain within the laws; and [that] you may continue to address important academic issues in your classes"–before key points of the bill are addressed. The slides try to break down the wording of HB7 into palatable bytes for faculty, noting that instructors cannot be subjective when addressing issues of race, color, national origin or sex, but its complexities are apparent. The slides state that UF faculty cannot say:

"One group is morally superior to another when groups are defined by race, color, national origin or sex.
A person by simple virtue of his/her race, color, national origin or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive.
Someone's status as privileged or oppressed is necessarily determined by his/her race, color, national origin or sex.
An individual, by virtue of race, color, origin or sex, bears responsibility for, or should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment because of, actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, origin or sex.
Virtues such as merit, hard work, fairness, neutrality, objectivity and racial colorblindness are racist or sexist or were created to oppress members of another race, color, national origin or sex."

UF notes that the bill's theme is this: "No one likes to be told what to think. And that includes students. Instructors should not present personal beliefs about a topic as the 'right' point of view or compel or encourage students to adopt a specific belief." UF also tells instructors to be teachers and mentors and "treat students with respect," warning they cannot give their personal view on controversial topics or let classroom talks "become heated." Those who have further questions can consult a few links UF provides at the end on difficult dialogues.

Instant Insights /

Woke-up call: UF president sends video to faculty to deal with DeSantis-backed bill

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