Associated Press
Attorneys for New College of Florida, the traditionally progressive public liberal arts college that was taken over by allies of Gov. Ron DeSantis as part of his “war on woke,” last week threatened to sue a group of former faculty members and students who have formed an alternative online institute named “Alt New College” after departing the school following the takeover.
Alt New College says on its website that it was created to teach free and subsidized courses and to preserve the original educational philosophy of the school following the “hostile takeover” of New College of Florida earlier this year.
“Over time, we hope to build an online institute that helps protect other communities facing similar attacks,” the Alt New College website said. “What is happening at New College of Florida is part of a national strategy to overtake public education and subvert a fundamental pillar of democracy.”
Among those backing the effort are former New College provosts, Bard College in New York and PEN America, a free expression advocacy group.
But attorneys for Sarasota, Florida-based New College said in a letter last Thursday that the online institute may be violating the school’s trademark and is likely to cause confusion. The attorneys demanded that Alt New College stop using the “New College” name.
“These actions have caused and will cause damage and irreparable harm to New College,” the letter said.
New College has become a focal point of a campaign by DeSantis, a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, to rid higher education in the state of what he calls left-leaning “woke” indoctrination on campuses.
New trustees allied with DeSantis fired the school’s president in favor of former state House Speaker Richard Corcoran as interim president and scrapped the college’s small office of diversity, equity and inclusion. The trustees also have denied tenure to five professors despite criticism that such a move poses a threat to academic freedom.
More than a third of the school’s faculty members have left following the change and scores of students also have transferred.
The conservative takeover has gained national attention, prompting a visit in April by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California in which he sharply criticized DeSantis and the changes under way at New College.
12 comments
Michael K
October 1, 2023 at 6:32 pm
None of these clowns – Corcoran and Rufo – can build anything. All they can do is destroy what others worked hard over decades to achieve and replace it with mediocre pablum and low standards just to give a failing governor a soundbite for his doomed presidential campaign.
Rick Whitaker
October 2, 2023 at 6:20 am
i am now a fervent supporter of “alt. new college” . the mascot could be called the “wokesters”. desantis does not realize that for a lot of young people particularly, whatever he is against, they are for. go anc (alt new college)
My Take
October 1, 2023 at 6:34 pm
A disgrace. But barbarians destroy, not build.
I wonder what a President DirtSScamus would do to the military academies?
Earl Pitts "Beverly Brevity's Besty" American
October 1, 2023 at 6:37 pm
Good evening America,
Now this tizzy the Dook 4 Brains Lefty’s have thrown themselves into over the takeover of a tiny insignaficant former Dook 4 Brains Leftist Florida College is very instructive to all members of my, Earl Pitts American’s Fan club.
America, I feel a ginormas EPA 257 word fillibuster welling up in my heart.
BUT, America I’m going to resist my urge to fillabuster out of my deep undying love and respect for my beloved, good looking, sweet, hard working, bestest Besty The Beautiful Beverly Brevity.
Thank you America,
EPA
Rick Whitaker
October 2, 2023 at 6:12 am
we can always rely on you tearing down anything good and building up anything bad. you have once again showed how regressive and inane you are. at 82 years old i don’t expect you to ever become a decent person. one thing i can rely on when it comes to your comments is that they will always be negative and cornball. much like your 70’s and 80’s redneck cornball radio personality. billy purser, you are deplorable..
My Take
October 1, 2023 at 10:00 pm
Nuevo College
With “Nuevo” in italics.
My Take
October 1, 2023 at 10:10 pm
I wonder if Moscow University is headed by political stooge or a competent academic administrator.
Mike
October 2, 2023 at 12:48 am
Why on earth was “new college” trademark was even granted in the first place? That is so generic it’s insane
Dan
October 2, 2023 at 9:16 am
It wasn’t. Search the USPTO database. There is no such trademark.
Rick Whitaker
October 2, 2023 at 9:48 am
as soon as i heard that it was trademarked, i was suspect. thanks for clearing that up. that now makes the desantis team that much more deplorable.
Earl Pitts "Beware Of Earl's Size 13 Wingtip" American
October 2, 2023 at 8:15 am
Thanks Rick,
That was an excellant contrarian post keep up the great work. Rick we as a team are preforming a great service to our readership. As you know most of the posters are trying to cure themselves from their Dook 4 Brains Leftism. Because they are ashamed of how it ruined their lives and estranged them from their once loving families who now hate them for their Dook 4 Brains Leftism. Those tourtured lost souls thought it was cool to be a lefty. At first it was all fun and games before the brain rot set in. And now they are all miserable and addicted to trying to destroy our Great Nation.
They are all reaching out for help, Rick, with their fondest goal being to become un-adicted to life ruining Dook 4 Brains Leftism and one fine day wake up to be a mini verson of me, Earl Pitts American. Ahh to once again be normal they all dream.
So Rick lets keep getting our message out to those lost souls that there is hope to become more and more like Earl Pitts American by studing his free wisdom and teachings right here!!!!
Thanks for being a part of the “Save America Team” Rick,
EPA
Rick Whitaker
October 2, 2023 at 9:55 am
once again, regressive and inane. what a fool you are. where was your usual sex related comment that you use in a potty humor way.
Comments are closed.