Accuracy in Media video exposes University of South Florida administrator bragging about ignoring state DEI ban
April 15, 2025
An Accuracy in Media undercover investigation reveals an official at the University of South University St. Petersburg advising a prospective student parent that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion teachings are still just fine there. This is despite DEI being illegal in taxpayer-financed higher education in Florida.
In the new video, Heather Klišanin, Director of Student Contact and Ethical Development at the university, is seen telling our undercover reporter how they work around the law.
The law in Florida is that taxpayer funding cannot be used for DEI. That’s just what the law is. Klišanin explains how they still run the same programs, they just claim that they’re not funded by the taxpayer dollar.
They are, she says, paid for by student government. This is funded by student activity fees, which is different from taxpayer dollars.
When Accuracy in Media President Adam Guillette confronted her over the statement she made on video, she denied having actually said it.
“They said you got around it by simply moving all the programs into a situation where they were funded by student activity fees, so they’re not directly funded by the taxpayer, so is that true?” said Guillette.
“I didn’t say that,” replied Klišanin. And yet she is, as you can see, on tape saying just that.
Guillette then pointed out that 74.3% of students attend the university on Bright Futures scholarships. Which is taxpayer funding. Bright Futures scholarships cover student activity fees.
Guillette asks,“Isn’t this still taxpayer funding of DEI?”
Klišanin then insists that it will be necessary to speak to the communications department, which claims that this is not the college’s settled policy.
We have seen this again and again across the education system. CRT is renamed SEL but continues. Laws on boys in girls’ sport are ignored and “worked around.” The law changes, but practices don’t.
Klišanin: “Our goal is that it won’t go away. It just may adjust for logistical purposes and politics.”
The voters and legislature of Florida have decided differently.
Your tax dollars should not be paying for illegal, radical ideas in higher education.