Republican state senator John Thrasher is set to take over the presidency of Florida State University. Naturally, some faculty members opposed the decision.

Ry Rivard of Inside Higher Ed reported.

Florida State’s Politician President

Florida State University’s next president will be a political insider without professional higher education experience, the university’s Board of Trustees decided Tuesday.

In a 11-2 vote, the board rejected widespread faculty and student opposition to hire John Thrasher, a Republican state senator and former speaker of the House who is also chairman of Florida Governor Rick Scott’s re-election campaign. Thrasher’s supporters hope he can be a rainmaker for the university, which wants to rise in national prominence. Thrasher’s critics fear his background and inexperience in higher ed will doom Florida State’s efforts to elevate itself.

“This is the scary choice, not the safe choice,” said Gary Tyson, a trustee and Faculty Senate president, who cast one of the two no votes.

For months, faculty members have been saying that Thrasher has benefited from his connections and back-room dealings at the university. On Tuesday, they saw the alleged fait accompli sealed during a daylong meeting with Thrasher, three other finalists, the 13-member board and a room full of spectators and protesters.

During public comments, a few faculty and students said they supported Thrasher, but his critics outnumbered those supporters. Student opponents promised to make his presidency difficult. One promised to make it a “living hell.” Another vowed, “You will not have peace at this university while you continue to work against our interests.”

Thrasher, 70, will take over after the abrupt departure of former President Eric Barron for Pennsylvania State University earlier this year. Garnett Stokes, the provost, has been serving as interim president since April.