Statement from the Miami Beach Democratic Club Board
The Miami Beach Democratic Club strongly condemns the Florida International University (FIU) Board of Trustees’ recent 11 to 1 vote to install Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez as the university’s new president. This decision was part of a secret plan, orchestrated over several weeks, at the direct request of Governor Ron DeSantis’s office, according to Board Chairman Roger Tovar. Such blatant political interference undermines the foundational principles of democracy and academic independence.
President Kenneth Jessell, a dedicated administrator who has served FIU with distinction, was contracted to lead the university until November 2026. The decision to curtail his tenure prematurely lacks transparent justification and disregards the expressed wishes of the FIU community. Notably, the FIU Faculty Senate passed a motion urging the board to retain President Jessell and described the appointment of Nuñez as "dismaying."
Nuñez, a former healthcare lobbyist with no background in higher education leadership, was placed in this role through political favoritism rather than a transparent, merit-based selection process. This latest move is part of a disturbing pattern in which Governor DeSantis replaces experienced education leaders with political allies, eroding public trust in Florida’s universities and diminishing the quality of education for students.
The Miami Beach Democratic Club calls on all Floridians to stand against these undemocratic maneuvers. The independence of our public universities must be protected, and leadership appointments must be based on qualifications, not political allegiance.
The Miami Beach Democratic Club remains committed to advocating for policies that uphold democracy and protect the sanctity of our educational institutions. We urge community members to stay informed, speak out, and take action to defend Florida’s higher education system.***This post will be updated as more information is released.
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