Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced this week a new initiative designed to help Jewish students transfer to colleges and universities inside the state as many have faced anti-Semitism and threats at institutions of higher learning in blue states.
The governor directed the State University System of Florida and the Florida College System to “waive certain transfer application requirements that would otherwise unnecessarily burden the transfer of Jewish students” who wish to leave their current schools, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
The Executive Order that the governor signed applies to all prospective transfer students regardless of whether or not they are Jewish as long as the student has “a well-founded fear of antisemitic or other religious discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or violence at an out-of-state, degree-granting, accredited institution, within the United States.”
“Florida is experiencing an elevated number of inquiries from out-of-state students to transfer to Florida universities and colleges,” the statement said. “Building on the Governor’s Executive Order 23-208, as ratified and reaffirmed by Executive Order 23-242, regarding the Impacts of War in Israel, today’s action will clear credit hour and application window requirements that would stand in the way of an otherwise academically eligible transfer student.”
The governor also urged colleges and universities to grant out-of-state tuition waivers on a case-by-case basis to students who lack resources and will experience a financial hardship by having to move.
DeSantis mentioned the new initiative during his state of the state address on Tuesday where he also highlighted how his administration stepped up protection for Jewish institutions in the days following Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack on Israel.
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“This week, Jewish students across the country are returning to campuses that have condoned anti-Semitism,” he said. “Over the coming months, they will have a tough decision to make – pack up and leave or stay and endure continued hatred – and if they do decide to come to Florida, we will welcome them with open arms.”
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