The New College of Florida wants Harvard University students who fear antisemitism on campus to transfer.
The new initiative has “not had any applicants” yet, according to the university, but even so, it is still important, according to a spokesman for the college.
Spokesman Nathan March directed The College Fix to an interview with President Richard Corcoran that explains “why the program is important even if it doesn’t attract any Harvard students to Sarasota.” The Fix followed up several weeks later on Dec. 27 via voicemail and email but received an out-of-office response due to the college offices being closed for the holidays.
President Corcoran said in the interview the free tuition program shows students that they will be free from “horrendous behavior” and “indoctrination.”
“Even if zero students take us up on it, the fact that The Wall Street Journal picked it up, the fact that people are covering it, the fact that you’re asking questions, what’s at issue is, ‘how do we save higher education,’” Corcoran said during the interview. The Wall Street Journal ran a commentary piece from Corcoran about the scholarship program.
New College, a small liberal arts school, has been part of the focus of Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign to reform higher education in the state. He has appointed conservative trustees to remake the school, including journalist Christopher Rufo and conservative scholar Mark Bauerlein.
Harvard University has not responded to multiple requests for comment on the program sent in the past month.
A rabbi criticized the university and provided advice to Jewish students who face hostility in emailed comments to The Fix.
