University of South Florida’s associate VP caught scheming to avoid DEI restrictions in Florida – The Times of India

Dr. Haywood Brown, the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of South Florida (USF), is facing intense scrutiny after audio recordings surfaced in which he described strategies to bypass Florida’s anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) laws. The controversial remarks were made during a presentation at Virginia Commonwealth University and were later reported by Fox News Digital on March 18, 2025.
In the recordings, Dr. Brown discusses how he has continued to implement DEI policies despite Florida’s growing restrictions on such programs. His statements have sparked outrage among critics of DEI, leading to widespread calls for action from lawmakers and university officials alike.
The scheme to bypass restrictions
As reported by Fox News, Dr. Brown openly admitted to using creative tactics to avoid complying with Florida’s state and federal laws regarding DEI initiatives. He revealed that his office at USF had rebranded a DEI office to focus on “cultural enrichment,” and he described how the office’s name was changed to “healthcare access” to sidestep legal restrictions. “We had it codified by our Faculty Council and a task force,” Brown said in the leaked presentation. He added, “As long as it works, that’s what we do.”
Dr. Brown’s comments also extended to criticisms of key figures such as Stephen Miller, a White House official known for opposing DEI practices. According to the leaked audio, Brown described Miller as someone who had “tried to attack the University of South Florida.”
University response and state backlash
Upon learning of the comments, USF placed Dr. Brown on administrative leave to review the situation. However, Brown ultimately chose to resign. A university spokesperson told Fox News that it had “disappointed” and “troubled” by his remarks and emphasized that USF adheres to all state and federal laws.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ office responded swiftly to the revelations. “This individual’s employment at the University of South Florida is over today, and he is no longer welcome to work in Florida education,” said Bryan Griffin, Communications Director for DeSantis.
The controversy continues to stir debate over the future of DEI initiatives in Florida’s educational institutions.