FL College Waivers Offered To Students Fearing Antisemitism: DeSantis

FLORIDA — Students who may fear antisemitism or other religious harassment are being granted easier access to Florida colleges and universities under certain waivers at the order of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis, who declared a state of emergency in Florida due to the Israel-Hamas War, ordered Tuesday the waiver of certain transfer application requirements that may be considered burdens for Jewish students, according to a release from the governor's office.

"Whereas, in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Israel, hundreds of Americans have boarded rescue flights to evacuate from Israel to Florida; and whereas, the State University System of Florida has contributed to aiding those in need as a result of the war in Israel by donating medical equipment to assist Israeli hospitals," DeSantis' order reads.

He said Florida received an influx of transfer students after the war began on Oct. 7, when Hamas first launched an attack on Israel.

In partnership with State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues and Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr, DeSantis has waived the following requirements:

• Credit hour requirements for transfer applications that would typically be a hurdle for otherwise academically eligible first- and second-year postsecondary students.
• Application date windows for transfers that would again burden otherwise academically eligible students who are seeking to flee discriminatory circumstances.

DeSantis encourages colleges and universities to give out-of-state tuition waivers on a case-by-case basis for students who could experience financial hardships, according to the release.

“Throughout my tenure as governor, we have implemented measures to safeguard our Jewish communities from hatred in the K–20 school system, and with this announcement, we want to again make it clear that Jewish students are welcome to live and learn in Florida where they will be respected and not persecuted due to their faith,” DeSantis said in the release.

He noted in the order that antisemitic attacks have increased by 388 percent in the U.S. after the war on Israel.

This draws a concern for the safety of students wanting to transfer to a Florida post-secondary institution "to escape a reasonable fear of antisemitic or other religious discrimination, harassment, intimidation or violence at their current institutions," read the order.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday DeSantis' order comes at a time when Ivy League leaders are receiving pushback for their response to antisemitism and anti-Israel protests on campuses.

"The order referred to all students facing religious harassment, and when asked if it included Muslims, Christians and others, a spokeswoman for the board governing Florida’s university systems, said Wednesday it covers any student fearful of religious persecution following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. However, neither she nor the governor’s office said how many students had made inquiries about transferring," the Associated Press reported.