ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — In Florida, hundreds of college courses are being taken off the general education table for the Fall 2025 semester.
That’s because newly implemented legislation is squeezing out what the state of Florida finds “inappropriate for general education” requirements.
Flagler College professor Michael Butler said those general education classes are often taken early on.
“General education is meant to give students a foundation for the rest of their time in college,” Butler said.
The law aims to weed out general education courses “based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.” This mandate is boggling to many professors across the state.
Butler told First Coast News, “These are characteristics that have been present throughout our entire history, and we’re doing our students a disservice by either ignoring that they were there or acting like it’s no longer relevant today.”
The courses vary from school to school. They include sociology, African American studies, critics of religion, comparative religion, and anthropology.
Florida State University has reportedly removed 400 of its classes from the general education offerings, from a list of 571.
A University of North Florida spokesperson told First Coast News, “Prior to the review, UNF offered 112 courses that satisfied general education. Starting in 2025, UNF will offer 45 courses that meet general education requirements. While 67 courses lost their general education attribute, many of these courses are in the university's catalog and will continue to be offered. No faculty positions have been lost due to these changes.”
A chart of removed courses at UNF shows both U.S. History to 1877 and US History from 1877 to the Present.
Dr. Tammy Hodo taught at UNF and now has a DEI company that works with businesses nationwide.
"Trying to rewrite history and make it seem that everything has been equal from the beginning is very problematic and we may have a whole generation that is complete education in that regard," she said.
Some courses will still be offered as electives at the schools.
Hodo said, "My son has already finished college. If not, I would definitely would have sent him out of state."
Supporters of the slimmer offerings believe this is a way to reduce the indoctrination of leftist views.
However, others such as Butler say it’s ultimately hurting the state.
"We are in the education business. We are not trying to tell students what to think. We’re trying to teach students how to think so that they exit an institution of higher education more well rounded, empathetic about the world they live in," Butler said.