Just a little over a week ago, the Sudakoff Center at New College was filled with a sense of unease and tension. The past year had brought about significant changes, and one of the university’s trustees had suggested cutting back on the gender studies program. During that time, the interim president faced public backlash, and some individuals even had to be escorted out by the police.
However, the atmosphere on Sunday morning was completely different. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation as orientation volunteers warmly welcomed new students and their families. Parents took snapshots and carried bedding sets around the campus.
Marilib Maloy, a parent, expressed a mix of nervousness and optimism as her daughter chose to enroll due to the university’s unique structure. She hoped that the recent controversies surrounding the school were merely sensationalized by the media.
New College found itself in the national spotlight when Governor Ron DeSantis restructured its board of trustees with six fresh appointments in January. This newly-formed board took action by removing the president, dissolving the diversity, equity, and inclusion department, denying tenure to some professors, and expanding the athletics programs.
Currently, the school is in the final stages of selecting a new, permanent president. Richard Corcoran, the former state education commissioner, has been leading the institution on an interim basis and is among the finalists.
The changes made at New College have not gone unnoticed, resulting in protests and legal battles. On a recent Friday, Governor DeSantis praised the college’s achievements, highlighting the increased enrollment and the shift in faculty alignment with the university’s mission.
He stated that the Board of Trustees at New College is effectively working to eliminate one-sided influences and refocus higher education on its core principles.
For the new students, embarking on a seven-day orientation, their focus was primarily on their personal studies and fitting into the college environment, rather than getting caught up in Florida’s ongoing educational policy debates.
Angelo Morelli, who had come from Miami, intended to study computer science. He held mixed feelings about the impact of Governor DeSantis’ actions, acknowledging that the college was receiving more funding than ever before. Yet, he was concerned about preserving the college’s culture, hoping it wouldn’t be negatively affected.
Paige Franciotti’s main aspiration for the semester was to make new friends. She stood out as the sole representative from her high school in Fort Myers, selecting New College for its small community. Her parents proudly wore matching blue shirts that read “NCF Mom” and “NCF Dad.”
Samantha Champlain, having committed to New College before the recent changes, was relocating to an off-campus hotel due to dorm closures caused by mold problems. Initially upset, she was eventually impressed by the hotel’s accommodations and remained hopeful about moving to the campus later on.
Optimism for the future was shared by Champlain, who expressed her interest in linguistics and physics. She held a strong desire to preserve the school’s unique culture, even through challenging times.
Bernadette Estrada-Brown applauded with joy as she entered her new dorm room on Sunday. She assessed the amenities, considering ways to adjust her bed’s height. As a 48-year-old transfer student, she aimed to study English with a focus on global leadership.
Estrada-Brown was drawn to New College in part due to the availability of new scholarships. She held concerns about the school’s accreditation and its commitment to academic freedom.
Her husband, Frank Brown, noted, “She’s living a dream that slipped past us and has now come full circle. We all dream of attending college, but then life happens. Twenty years fly by.”
Among those welcoming the new students was Jono Miller, the president of NCF Freedom, a nonprofit comprising alumni, students, and faculty who oppose recent changes at New College. While he contemplated the potential impact of faculty departures, he took pleasure in watching new students transport stuffed animals and lamps across the campus.
Miller shared a personal anecdote, revealing, “I met my wife 53 years ago during orientation at New College. This is a significant day in the lives of many. We can engage in debates later.”
