The University of Florida’s board of trustees voted unanimously to elect Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) as its 13th president on Tuesday.
The move comes after several protests from students who opposed the staunch conservative taking on the position. Before voting 13-0 to make him the new president of the school, the board asked Sasse several questions, including how the school would change under his leadership, if he would be able to step back from politics, and how he would address concerns of the LGBTQ community, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
In taking on the position, Sasse stated he was looking forward “to a period of political celibacy,” and that he would be consumed with being a “Gator superfan,” a father, and getting to know the school as president.
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The Nebraska senator was being interviewed in the school’s Emerson Alumni Hall, where protesters had gathered outside to protest against his confirmation. The protesters warned that they would continue their protests if Sasse was confirmed, according to the report.
The university warned students on Oct. 24 that indoor protests would be prohibited on Tuesday after demonstrators created loud commotion while Sasse held a Q&A forum with students on Oct. 10. UF President Kent Fuchs told the students in a letter that the school values free speech, and asked them to have an open mind and to respect the right of others to speak freely.
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Sasse is expected to resign from his position as U.S. senator as early as December to take the job as the president of the University of Florida. The Board of Governors is expected to meet on Nov. 10 for final approval, according to CNN.
During the administration of former President Donald Trump, Sasse was very critical of the president and was one of seven GOP members of the Senate who voted in favor of conviction in Trump’s impeachment trial following the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
