GAINESVILLE- In a discussion with students and staff, Ben Sasse further learned how large the battle is going forward as the University of Florida's president.

“The University of Florida has a long history of not being welcoming to people like myself,” said Oscar Santiago Perez.

Santiago Perez, a member of the student senate and the university’s LGBTQ advisory committee, reminded Sasse of the infamous Johns Committee, the Florida legislative panel that tried to purge gay people from UF and other campuses in the 1950s and ‘60s. He referred to Sasse’s well-publicized stand against same-sex marriage, and the senator’s efforts to dismiss the resulting criticism as part of the culture wars.

“If Dr. Sasse is confirmed,” he said, “I hope he understands he will have a huge hill to climb — a hill of trust.”

Sasse has said he would meet with the university’s LGBTQ presidential advisory committee, and its members said they are ready to work with him.

Despite this, Faith Corbett, a student government member and leader in UF’s minority party, predicted distrust of Sasse will remain.

Sasse said later that he appreciated the counsel and acknowledged the task before him. He said he embraced and respected all people and pledged to divorce himself from partisan politics as UF’s 13th president.

But following weeks of high emotions over his selection for that job, many are waiting to see exactly how well he’ll address the deep rifts created by his candidacy. If the state’s Board of Governors confirms his selection as expected this week, he’ll begin his presidency in early 2023.

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