2 DeSantis-appointed trustees showed up at New College. Here’s how it went.

New conservative board members Christopher Rufo and Eddie Speir got a mixed reaction during their campus visit Wednesday.

By
Ian Hodgson Times staff
Divya Kumar Times staff
Published Yesterday | Updated Yesterday

SARASOTA — In an unusual visit to the New College of Florida campus Wednesday, two of the six people appointed to the school’s board of trustees this month by Gov. Ron DeSantis told faculty and students they are coming with a mandate to rescue an institution they described as failing and in need of a turnaround.

Christopher Rufo, a conservative journalist and commentator, called himself “a drastic solution to a crisis.” He was accompanied by Jason “Eddie” Speir, the founder and superintendent of a private Christian high school in Bradenton.

Their appearance drew a range of responses, from those who disputed the new trustees’ descriptions of New College to others who said they saw a chance for the school to improve under new leadership. It was a prelude to Tuesday, when the school’s newly reconstituted board will meet for the first time, now populated with several strong conservative voices.

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