Florida University Denies Degree to Jeb Bush

By ABBY GOODNOUGH

The New York Times

MIAMI (March 24) - Pondering his options after eight years in office, former Gov. Jeb Bush can cross one off the list, honorary degree recipient at the University of Florida, the largest university in the state.

 

 

 

Bryan Smith, ZUMA Press

Jeb Bush doesn't have the right kind of background to receive an honorary degree, the University of Florida's faculty senate chairwoman said. But five former governors, all Democrats, have been so honored in the past.

 

The Faculty Senate there rejected a proposal on Thursday to award Mr. Bush an honorary degree this spring. Some members openly criticized his policies.

 

It is the first time in memory that the group has rejected a nominee put forth by its honorary degrees committee, said J. Bernard Machen, the university president.

 

The Senate voted, 38 to 28, against the proposal, which came from a former president of the university and was supported by two university trustees appointed by Mr. Bush.

 

The Senate chairwoman, Denaya Wright, said the nomination was a mistake, not just because some faculty members dislike Mr. Bush, a Republican who called himself ?the education governor,? but also because he did not have the right background for an honorary degree.

 

?Recipients have pretty much always been distinguished scientists, engineers, artists, nurses, doctors,? Ms. Wright said.

 

The university, based in Gainesville, has awarded honorary degrees to five former governors, including Bob Graham in 2004 and Reubin Askew in 1983. All were Democrats. It also bestowed one on Senator John McCain , Republican of Arizona, in 2004.

 

Mr. Bush did not respond to an e-mail request for comment.

 

 

Mr. Machen, for one, is embarrassed.

 

?I think it?s a horrible decision,? he said in an interview. ?I?ve heard from lots of alumni today who are very upset.?

 

Though it rejected Mr. Bush, the Senate approved two other nominees, Andrew H. Hines Jr., a mechanical engineer and former power company executive who is an alumnus, and Barry C. Barish, professor emeritus of physics at the California Institute of Technology.

 

Kathleen Price, a law professor who voted no on Mr. Bush, said he had let down the university by vetoing a measure that would have let its graduate and professional schools raise tuition.

 

Mr. Machen said that he feared reprisal from the Legislature, but that Mr. Bush was ?probably having a good laugh? about the vote. In sports, the real passion at most Florida colleges, Mr. Bush roots for the University of Miami, Mr. Machen said.

 

Bush was a good Gov. and deserves better than this. :thumbdown Although Im sure he could care less.

Go Noles!

Bush was a good Gov. and deserves better than this. :thumbdown Although Im sure he could care less.

Go Noles!

 

This is the best the Semenholes could come up with?

Oh noes, do you have any idea what this means?

 

Nothing.

I knew UF has really toughened up on admission standards the last few years, but this is just ridiculous!

He was a good governor. Sounds like politics over academics over in Gainesville on UF's Senate. That is a shame because Jeb had been one of the most positive supporters of UF's striving towards excellence throughout his governorship. Just because he allowed FSU and 2 other schools to open Med Schools doesn't mean UF should treat him this way.

 

I will be extremely angry is FSU does not award him an honorary degree if it comes before them. He was a superior governor, if not the best in this state's history, and that is one small honor he has earned.

UF did give an honorary degree to Barry Barish, a physicist at Cal Tech, someone it makes sense to give an honorary degree to. The only problem with not giving Jeb Bush a degree is UF's history of giving honorary degrees to governors. If you're going to do that, you can't exclude Jeb Bush, who was a most excellent governor.

I'll be honest, Bush did more for in state education than any of his recent predecessors. While I'm sure some of the old guard at UF are upset that some of Bush's policies took money out of their pockets to fund the advancement of other in state schools, and that under Bush race was no longer allowed to be a question on the application I believe it's short sighted to allow such petty politics to come in the way of something of this generally good natured gesture.

Really silly on the part of UF. Only makes them look bad for letting politics get in the way.

Jeb Bush screwed with the education system down here alot. I personally dont care either way if he gets a degree but he was no friend to the students of florida.

Jeb Bush screwed with the education system down here alot. I personally dont care either way if he gets a degree but he was no friend to the students of florida.

 

 

What?? Who cares if he was a friend to the students or not. Please....even though I hate the Gators, all universities are far too liberal.

 

I've had a communication professor talk about Iraq being like verbs and adjectives....way too liberal.

 

But I don't want Republican professors either....I just want someone to teach me- not spill their stupid views all over students.

gainesville is a liberal college city , uf is an extremely liberal university , so it is not suprising that Jeb Bush a conservative governor is not one the favorites of liberal elites who run this city and university. BTW Bush was a good governor he was smart , competent , a policy wonk, in other words the exact opposite of W.

BTW,

 

The UF Alumni Association has awarded Jeb the honorary alumus status. At least the Gator Nation stood up and said no to the Ivory Tower.

 

Hooray Gator Alumni!

 

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/16967809.htm

Jeb Bush screwed with the education system down here alot. I personally dont care either way if he gets a degree but he was no friend to the students of florida.

 

As someone who has two small childrens in the Florida public school system, I say you have no idea of what you are talking about. Things are far from perfect, but I see a lot focus and improvements on the education area.

Jeb Bush screwed with the education system down here alot. I personally dont care either way if he gets a degree but he was no friend to the students of florida.

 

As someone who has two small childrens in the Florida public school system, I say you have no idea of what you are talking about. Things are far from perfect, but I see a lot focus and improvements on the education area.

As someone who was in/is in the Florida public school system before and after Jeb, I agree with you 100%.

Yeah, this is pretty worthless news. Slow news day I guess.

Does anyone really care about honorary degrees?

Does anyone really care about honorary degrees?

 

no

 

Hooray Gator Alumni

 

Hurray, Beer!!!

i guess the bush family cant get everything for free...i kid i kid...but seriously

Two words are going to haunt Jeb Bush for the rest of his life:

 

Terri.

 

Schiavo.

 

At least we now have an FSU alumnus at the helm of the state now, even though I didn't vote for him. So far he's doing a good job.

Two words are going to haunt Jeb Bush for the rest of his life:

 

Terri.

 

Schiavo.

 

At least we now have an FSU alumnus at the helm of the state now, even though I didn't vote for him. So far he's doing a good job.

 

 

I think most people have forgotten and or dont care about the schiavo ordeal

Two words are going to haunt Jeb Bush for the rest of his life:

 

Terri.

 

Schiavo.

 

At least we now have an FSU alumnus at the helm of the state now, even though I didn't vote for him. So far he's doing a good job.

 

Conscience > Politics in the Schiavo case for Jeb. The courts tied his hands according to law, but he followed the orders while still trying to save her.

Well, the Alumni Association voted to give Bush a honorary degree so he's going to get one. Good for him.... I guess.