FSU Cancels over 400 "inappropriate" classes
Florida Senate Bill 266 results in 400+ classes being no longer available to students
Florida State University (FSU) has announced the removal of over 400 courses from its general education curriculum for the 2025-2026 school year. This unprecedented decision, which follows the directives of Florida Senate Bill 266, is not about academic integrity or efficiency—it is a politically motivated maneuver aimed at restricting academic freedom and reshaping higher education to fit a narrow ideological framework.
Signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, SB 266 mandates that state universities remove any general education courses that “distort significant historical events” or “teach identity politics.” Under this broad and ambiguous language, courses on race, gender, and systemic inequalities—longstanding components of a well-rounded education—have become targets for elimination.
The Scope of the Purge
To grasp the enormity of this decision, consider the range of courses that have been stripped of their general education designation. Among them are:
Theories of African American Studies
Critics of Religion
American History 583: The Seminoles and Southeastern Indians
American Multi-Ethnic Literature
Evolution of Human Sexuality
LGBTQ History
Gender and the Law
Social Justice in Public Policy
While the university claims these courses will still be available as electives, the underlying message is clear: discussions of race, gender, and social structures are no longer considered foundational to a university education in Florida. The removal of these courses is not an administrative decision made in the best interest of students—it is the result of legislative coercion, forcing universities to comply with the state’s political agenda.
Who Made These Decisions?
The decision to eliminate these courses was made under the oversight of the Florida Board of Governors and the State University System, both of which have seen increased political interference in recent years. University leaders, facing mounting pressure from state officials, are left with little choice but to align their policies with the mandates handed down from Tallahassee. Faculty input has been largely disregarded, and many professors now fear for the future of their programs.
The DeSantis administration has framed these changes as necessary to combat “radical ideologies” in academia. However, what is actually happening is a massive rollback of academic independence, where political leaders dictate what can and cannot be taught, overriding the expertise of educators and researchers.
The Real Impact: Suppressing Intellectual Inquiry
Supporters of SB 266 argue that these removals are necessary to ensure “balanced” education. However, this justification ignores the fact that the study of race, gender, and social justice is not about indoctrination—it is about understanding complex social structures that shape our world. Removing these topics from general education requirements does not neutralize education; it distorts it.
The claim that these subjects are inappropriate for college students is especially absurd given that universities exist to encourage critical thinking and exploration of diverse perspectives. College students are adults, fully capable of engaging with challenging material. The only reason to censor these subjects is to control the narrative—to ensure that future generations are not exposed to ideas that challenge the political status quo.
The Bigger Picture: A Dangerous Precedent
This move is not just about Florida State University. It sets a dangerous precedent for universities across the country. If Florida succeeds in reshaping its higher education system into a tool for political propaganda, other states may follow suit. Academic freedom is at risk not just in Florida but nationwide, as lawmakers continue to exert greater control over educational content.
FSU’s course purge is not an isolated incident—it is part of a larger movement to suppress intellectual inquiry and sanitize history to fit a particular worldview. And if we don’t push back now, the next step will not just be eliminating courses; it will be eliminating entire departments, faculty positions, and research opportunities that fail to align with political mandates.
Conclusion: The Fight for Higher Education
The removal of over 400 courses from FSU’s general education catalog is not about improving education—it is about controlling it. It is an attack on academic freedom, faculty independence, and students’ rights to receive a comprehensive education.
Florida State University should not quietly comply with this overreach. Universities should be places where students engage with diverse perspectives, not institutions that bow to political pressure. The academic community, both within and beyond Florida, must take a stand against this erosion of higher education.
This is not just about FSU—it is about the future of education itself!
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