The New College of Florida has terminated a Chinese language professor under a state law that restricts public universities from hiring individuals deemed to be from “countries of concern.” Kevin Wang, a professor who has sought asylum in the US and is authorized to work in the country, was fired on 12 March after teaching classes in Chinese language and culture for nearly two years.
According to his dismissal letter, reviewed by Suncoast Searchlight, the college’s decision to terminate Wang’s contract was “not based on any misconduct and does not constitute a dismissal for cause or disciplinary action.” Instead, the college cited state law SB 846, which prohibits schools from accepting grants or participating in agreements with any college or university based in a foreign country of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria, without the approval from the board of governors.
Wang, who had been a university professor in China before coming to the US in May 2022, faced political repression from the Chinese Communist Party for criticizing Xi Jinping and the CCP’s domestic and foreign policies, resulting in the loss of his teaching position and his freedom to teach, research, and express himself in China. He stated that he never expected to face such a distressing experience after escaping persecution from the CCP in China, only to encounter a somewhat similar situation at New College in the United States.
The law, which went into effect in July 2023, also prevents state universities from entering into partnerships with individuals who are domiciled in a foreign country of concern and are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents.
As part of Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis’s culture wars against “wokeness” across various institutions, including universities, the New College of Florida – a historically liberal arts school – has recently hired ideologically aligned rightwing faculty and staff for various positions. In November, the university reinstated a course on “wokeness” taught by British comedian and historian Andrew Doyle, who described “wokeness” as a “kind of cult” with “disciples … [who] have insinuated themselves into all of our major institutions.” Additionally, in September, the college hosted Steve Sailer, who has been described as a “white supremacist,” at a public event on how “periods of heightened activism correlated with increased crime rates.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/29/florida-new-college-fires-chinese-professor
