College Matters from The Chronicle A Crunchy College Goes Conservative
May 20, 2025
Emma Pettit, a senior reporter at The Chronicle of Higher Education, discusses the significant transformations at New College of Florida after a conservative takeover. She reveals how the college abandoned gender studies and embraced a Western-centric curriculum, changing its identity from ‘Barefoot U’ to a more traditional campus. Enrollment is on the rise, drawing a new type of student, while faculty express growing concern over diminished influence. The shifting landscape mirrors wider cultural battles in higher education, navigating complex narratives and political influences.
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Conservative Board's Agenda
- New board aimed to make New College appealing to conservative families and installed Richard Corcoran as president.
- They scrapped gender studies and introduced a Western canon-focused general education curriculum.
Faculty Changes and Divisions
- Large faculty turnover occurred; about 36 of 100 faculty retired or resigned after the takeover.
- New hires include conservative scholars enthusiastic about the board's direction, but the overall faculty views vary.
Dramatic Faculty Resignation
- Faculty chair Matthew Lipinski dramatically resigned during a contentious board meeting by walking out mid-session.
- His departure symbolized deep faculty concern about the college's direction.
