Florida Faculty Unions Fight State’s New Syllabus Rule, Citing ‘Academic Freedom’ Under Attack
A heated battle is brewing in Florida’s higher education system as faculty unions push back against a new state requirement to publish course syllabuses and materials weeks before classes even begin. The move, characterized by state officials as a push for “transparency,” is being decried by educators as a dangerous overreach and an attack on academic freedom.
The Florida Education Association (FEA) and the United Faculty of Florida (UFF) have filed an administrative challenge to block a rule that would require college professors to post their final syllabus, along with a wide range of course materials, including assignments and instructional readings, at least 45 days before the start of an academic term.
A Question of Authority and Overreach
At the heart of the legal challenge is the unions’ argument that the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has overstepped its legal boundaries. The petition claims that the state legislature never explicitly authorized the FDOE to create such a detailed and specific regulation for course syllabi. In the view of the faculty, the department is attempting to act as an “unregulated, and unchecked arm of the Executive Branch.”
Robert Cassanello, President of the United Faculty of Florida, stated the rule is not just an overreach, but a threat. He argued that forcing professors to comply with a public-facing platform serves to “place a target on the backs of our professors and students.” These concerns are not unfounded; reports have surfaced that under existing curriculum transparency laws, some professors have already been asked by administrators to remove terms like “diversity, equity, inclusion, and culture” from their syllabuses.
The Problem with a 45-Day Deadline
Beyond the concerns over academic freedom, faculty members stress that the 45-day deadline is logistically impossible for many. The unions point out that adjunct professors, who make up a significant portion of the teaching staff, are sometimes not hired until as little as two weeks before the semester begins.
Additionally, the nature of teaching often requires flexibility. Professors need the ability to adjust their reading lists or assignments due to unforeseen circumstances, like a hurricane closing campus, or even an organic class discussion that takes the curriculum in a necessary new direction. Under the new rule, the unions argue that making such an on-the-fly change could put a professor in violation of the state-mandated posting.
Proponents Call it ‘Truth-in-Advertising’
On the other side of the issue, proponents of the measure argue that the changes are vital for “transparency” in public higher education. The goal, they say, is to give students and parents greater insight into what is being taught, helping them make more informed decisions about course enrollment before registration.
A similar rule has already been passed by the Florida Board of Governors for the state’s 12 public universities. Supporters see the requirement as a kind of “academic version of truth-in-advertising,” ensuring that what is taught in the classroom aligns directly with the official course descriptions. The new regulations, they contend, provide accountability for educational standards.
As the legal challenge moves forward in the Administrative Hearing Division, the fate of the rule hangs in the balance. For now, the push for transparency continues to clash directly with the faculty’s fight to protect their long-standing academic autonomy.