FAU Sociology Alumni
A community of people who studied sociology at FAU!
Dear Sociology Alumni,
This is Professor Hough. I am posting this message because sociology and other initiatives meant to encourage student diversity, critical thinking, social activism, and teachings of the histories and social dynamics of marginalized groups and classes is being attacked by MAGA republicans who hold a supermajority in Florida’s government. While FAU is not unique to this barrage of attacks, FAU administrators have thus far been unwilling to push back against these initiatives, most faculty remain quiet and quiescent, and most students seem to be unaware of the gravity of the situation. WE NEED SOCIOLOGY ALUMNI to help us organize networks of solidarity and resistance right now!! The Board of Governors already cut Sociology from the state university undergraduate curriculum, they have defunded DEI and other initiatives that have helped sustain the social diversity of the university, and they are trying to limit academic freedoms to teach topics on race, gender, sexuality, and so on. We started a new solidarity group of students, faculty and others. Please join us because alumni can speak about the value of sociology and the education they received at FAU. If you are interested, please reach out to us via this page and we can keep you posted.
Just to inform you of the dire nature of this situation, take a look at this memo sent to faculty from administration last night (below).
Thanks,
Professor Hough
Compliance with Board of Governors Regulation 9.016 related to Prohibited Expenditures
Florida Atlantic University continues to make adjustments, where necessary, to comply with Florida Board of Governors Regulation 9.016, which became effective earlier this year.
Florida Atlantic has never had a central Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Office. Instead, Florida Atlantic has placed its focus on programs that directly advance student success, as opposed to growing the institution's administration with additional positions and salaries. As such, the graduation rates at Florida Atlantic are the same for all students regardless of race, socioeconomic status, Pell eligibility, or first-generation status.
To ensure full compliance with the Board of Governors’ Regulation, however, the university has made some changes. The Division of Student Affairs’ Center for Inclusion, Diversity Education and Advocacy ceased operation at the beginning of the 2023 academic year. Additionally, the university is currently conducting a thorough review of all general education courses for compliance and is developing a process through which programs that may involve expenditures subject to review under the new Board of Governors’ Regulation are appropriately vetted by the institution.
Any required re-allocation of resources under the new regulation will be accomplished thoughtfully and effectively. As such, any funds previously reported as DEI-related expenses will be utilized for over-arching student and faculty initiatives.
As a highly regarded institution of higher learning, Florida Atlantic is committed to the open exchange of views and opinions, and respectful civil discourse, all of which contribute to a broad and enriched experience, not just for Florida Atlantic students, but for all faculty and staff.
Dear Sociology Alumni,
This is Professor Hough. I am posting this message because sociology and other initiatives meant to encourage student diversity, critical thinking, social activism, and teachings of the histories and social dynamics of marginalized groups and classes is being attacked by MAGA republicans who hold a supermajority in Florida’s government. While FAU is not unique to this barrage of attacks, FAU administrators have thus far been unwilling to push back against these initiatives, most faculty remain quiet and quiescent, and most students seem to be unaware of the gravity of the situation. WE NEED SOCIOLOGY ALUMNI to help us organize networks of solidarity and resistance right now!! The Board of Governors already cut Sociology from the state university undergraduate curriculum, they have defunded DEI and other initiatives that have helped sustain the social diversity of the university, and they are trying to limit academic freedoms to teach topics on race, gender, sexuality, and so on. We started a new solidarity group of students, faculty and others. Please join us because alumni can speak about the value of sociology and the education they received at FAU. If you are interested, please reach out to us via this page and we can keep you posted.
Just to inform you of the dire nature of this situation, take a look at this memo sent to faculty from administration last night (below).
Thanks,
Professor Hough
Compliance with Board of Governors Regulation 9.016 related to Prohibited Expenditures
Florida Atlantic University continues to make adjustments, where necessary, to comply with Florida Board of Governors Regulation 9.016, which became effective earlier this year.
Florida Atlantic has never had a central Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Office. Instead, Florida Atlantic has placed its focus on programs that directly advance student success, as opposed to growing the institution's administration with additional positions and salaries. As such, the graduation rates at Florida Atlantic are the same for all students regardless of race, socioeconomic status, Pell eligibility, or first-generation status.
To ensure full compliance with the Board of Governors’ Regulation, however, the university has made some changes. The Division of Student Affairs’ Center for Inclusion, Diversity Education and Advocacy ceased operation at the beginning of the 2023 academic year. Additionally, the university is currently conducting a thorough review of all general education courses for compliance and is developing a process through which programs that may involve expenditures subject to review under the new Board of Governors’ Regulation are appropriately vetted by the institution.
Any required re-allocation of resources under the new regulation will be accomplished thoughtfully and effectively. As such, any funds previously reported as DEI-related expenses will be utilized for over-arching student and faculty initiatives.
As a highly regarded institution of higher learning, Florida Atlantic is committed to the open exchange of views and opinions, and respectful civil discourse, all of which contribute to a broad and enriched experience, not just for Florida Atlantic students, but for all faculty and staff.
24/02/2024
Hello,
My name is Annabella Toledo, and I am the Social media manager for the Sociology Student Association (SSA) at FAU. Dr. Hough recommended connecting with alumni through Facebook. The SSA is currently planning an alumni event for students to show the variety of careers sociology students can pursue. If you are interested, we would love to have you speak on your career and what role sociology has played in achieving it. The event will take place on Friday, March 29 from 5:00-8:00 pm. Speakers will take 15-minute slots to discuss their career and answer any questions students may have, so you would not have to stay the whole event. Also, the vent is hybrid, both in-person and online. You can join whichever way is best for you. In person will have food served. If you are interested in speaking, please let us know