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ORLANDO, Florida (AP) – The University of Florida bans three professors from providing expert opinions in a lawsuit against a new law that critics claim restricts voting rights and says it goes against the school’s interests is in conflict with the administration of the Florida government. Ron DeSantis.
Although the decision has been criticized as a threat to academic freedom and expression, the university said in a statement on Saturday that it would be “detrimental to the university” to have Professors Dan Smith, Michael McDonald and Sharon Austin as paid experts on plaintiffs to act who challenge the law interests as an institution of the state of Florida. “
“The University of Florida has a long track record of supporting freedom of speech and academic freedom in our faculty, and we will continue to do so,” the statement said.
Attorneys for a coalition of civic groups challenging the law said in court files Friday that professors were told by the university that their expert testimony would depart from the administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, creating conflict for the school.
“UF will reject requests from its employees to participate in external activities if it determines that the activities are contrary to its interests. Since UF is a state actor, litigation against the state goes against the interests of UF, ”said an email from a vice president of the university to McDonald that was filed with the court documents.
Another university official said in an email to Smith that “outside activities that may create a conflict of interest for the Florida State executive creates conflict for the University of Florida.”
As at other universities, the University of Florida routinely allows its professors to testify in cases where they can provide expertise, and Smith has previously testified in Florida electoral law cases.
Civic coalition lawyers are trying to get a testimony from the governor about his role in drafting the new law, but administrative lawyers are fighting the attempt.
The new law restricts the use of mailboxes for postal voting, requires voters to request a postal vote, and prohibits employees who have no choice in providing food or drink to voters waiting in line.
Two weeks ago, on the day he found out he wouldn’t be able to testify, Smith tweeted a picture of Hannah Arendt’s classic book, The Origins of Totalitarianism.
“To wipe this classic off the bookshelf for an easy weekend read,” wrote Smith.
For its part, McDonald tweeted a video on Friday night in which Tom Petty sings, “I will not give in.” He and his colleagues “are the faculty that is denied our constitutional right to freedom of expression by the university,” he wrote.
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Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MikeSchneiderAP
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