What happened and when?
Takeover Timeline
Our goal is to ensure that the story of New College’s struggle for academic freedom and institutional integrity is documented and shared with the world.
Below is visual timeline of the FIRST YEAR of the takeover (2023), capturing the most pivotal moments as they happened. It is not a complete overview of every significant event. We are currently working on a more robust, interactive timeline of events.
New College of Florida
Founded 1960
Jan. 6, 2023Governor Ron DeSantis appoints six conservative allies to the NCF Board of Trustees.
Jan 9, 2023The Save New College movement is started by students, alumni, parents, and professors.
Jan. 31, 2023New College Board of Trustees ousts President Okker. Conservative news outlets announced Richard Corcoran as interim President before the meeting took place. New College Chief of Staff Brad Thiessen to serve as acting interim until Corcoran finalized.
Feb. 13, 2023Special Board of Trustees Meeting: Richard Corcoran's contract as interim president approved.
Feb. 28, 2023Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence at New College of Florida eliminated. Section 5.2.2.1 of the Faculty Handbook eliminates the request for “a statement regarding the candidate’s contribution to, or approach to achieving diversity.”
March 3, 2023Dean of Diversity Yoleidy Rosario-Hernández fired without cause.
March 23, 2023Athletic department formed with hire of baseball coach, Mariano Jiménez, from Speir's High School as new collegiate team coach.
April 14, 2023Memo placed in faculty tenure packets urging Board of Trustees to delay/deny tenure due to changes/turnover in administration and BoT
April 18, 2023Corcoran gives Admitted Students Day speech, explain that sports are key to 180-degree transformation of student life.
April 25, 2023Sudden and unexpected announcement that the New College mascot will be changed, erasing the history of the historic nullset [] mascot.
April 26, 2023Tenure denied to five well-respected professors in a special Board of Trustees meeting in an unprecedented move. The professors has already been through the tenure process and were all recommended without reservation.
April 26, 2023Hamilton Center student rally with over 50 speakers calling for academic freedom and criticizing the takeover.
May 1, 2023The college unexpectedly fired Helene Gold, Associate Dean of Academic Engagement and Information Librarian. She was the second LGBTQ+ employee dismissed.
May 4, 2023Republican lawmakers approve $34 million in the state budget to fund New College takeover.
May 13, 2023DeSantis at New College to sign bills SB 266 and HB 931, limiting academic freedom, against the "cabal of faculty" at FL universities.
May 18, 2023[NEW] Commencement: On Our Terms was an alternative commencement and grad celebration led by students, for students, and against the hostile takeover of New College of Florida. Guest speakers included civil rights activist Maya Wiley and fired head librarian Helene Gold.
May 22, 2023More than 80% of faculty vote to censure the NCF Board of Trustees.
June 1, 2023Board of Trustees changes the New College Mascot from the "Null Set" to the “Mighty Banyans” disregarding student wishes and input. Demolition of the Palmer Campus planned to proceed over the summer.
June 14, 2023NCF evicts Classic Car Museum for athletics, but does not have clear plan for use of the space. The Museum had existed in that space for 70 years and was a beloved institution in Sarasota.
July 1, 2023New "culture war" Educational Laws go into effect in Florida, including HB 999 which revises and significantly expands powers and duties of the Board of Governors.
July 6, 20232022 student murals on Caples campus confirmed destroyed; astroturf replaces grass in front of campus library.
July 17, 2023One-third of total faculty not returning for 2023-24. Loss "ridiculously high" according to Provost Brad Theissen.
July 31, 2023New College suddenly ends renowned contemporary “New Music-New College” music series after 24 years.
August 1, 2023Trustee Mary Ruiz resigns.
August 8, 2023Bruce Abramson, who has no qualified experience for the job, hired as Executive Director of New Student & Graduate Admissions
August 10, 2023Presidential search committee enters final stage with interviews of 3 finalists, including Richard Corcoran.
August 10, 2023BoT Meeting: gender studies program banned; housing debacle barely addressed as upperclassmen shoved into hotels; parties outlawed even in common areas.
August 15, 2023Many New College students take transfer deal offered by Hampshire College, a Massachusetts liberal arts school.
August 17, 2023Faculty drain continues with devastating loss of both Dr. Nicholas Clarson and Dr. Uzi Baram.
August 23, 2023New Florida rule for college staff and students: “Use bathroom of your sex assigned at birth or be fired/punished.”
September 8, 2023U.S. Department of Education launches investigation into New College of Florida’s board and administration.
October 2, 2023New College of Florida's transformation plan isn't financially viable, claims UF business analysis done by business professors.
October 3, 2023Board of Trustees selects Richard Corcoran as President of New College of Florida.
October 6, 2023Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis threatens to strip accreditation from colleges with DEI Programs
October 12, 2023New College of Florida dropout rate spikes, retention rate falls amid DeSantis' transition.
October 16, 2023New College report shows lowest retention rate in school's history.
October 20, 2023New College of Florida approves Corcoran’s president contract — doubling predecessor’s salary, and making him among highest paid university presidents in the state of Florida.
November 1, 2023Nepotism hire: Erin Fisher, wife of VP of Legal and HR, hired as Director of Faculty Recruitment.
November 8, 2023Sticker shock: NCF business plan calls for $600,000.00 per student to implement conservative vision.