House panel probing free speech at University of Florida

A U.S. House subcommittee opened an investigation Thursday into wher University of Florida interfered with acemic freedom and free speech when it stopped three professors from testifying as experts in a lawsuit challenging Florida's election law, before reversing course.

Members of House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties sent a letter to UF president Kent Fuchs requesting documents and communications regarding creation of school’s conflicts-of-interest policy and its denials of faculty requests to engage in outside activities.

“We are concerned that UF is censoring its faculty based on viewpoint, which would set a dangerous precedent that flies in face of its own commitment to freedom of expression," letter said.

It ded, “We are also concerned that, possibly due to pressure from trustees, politicians, or ors, UF has opted and enforced a conflicts policy that undermines acemic and free speech values that are essential to American higher education."

In an email, university spokeswoman Hessy Fernandez said university h received letter. “We are working to respond within guidelines we received," she said.

In letter, House members said y were concerned about a school policy change last year requiring university employees to get approval before engaging in outside activities. Before change, employees merely h to notify school.

Under new policy, four law school professors were prevented from stating ir university affiliation last year in a friend-of--court brief for a lawsuit challenging a law that me it more difficult for felons to get ir voting rights back. n, UF denied requests from a medical school professor to testify in lawsuits challenging Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on school mask mandates, letter said.

Finally, last month, university prohibited three professors from testifying in lawsuit brought by civic groups against election law which critics believe restricts voting rights. A school official said that such testimony would put school in conflict with ministration of Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, which pushed election law. More than half of university’s trustees are appointed by governor.

university reversed that decision earlier this month, saying professors could serve as experts.

professors have filed a lawsuit against university, and Sourn Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges is reviewing what happened.

Fuchs has appointed a task force to review school's conflict of interest policy, and a preliminary report could be rey by end of month.