University of Florida Senate Denies Degree to Jeb Bush
By ABBY GOODNOUGH
Published: March 24, 2007MIAMI, March 23 — Pondering his options after eight years in office, former Gov. Jeb Bush can cross one off the list, honorary degree recipient at the University of Florida, the largest university in the state.
Pool photo by Colin Hackley
Jeb Bush at the swearing-in of his successor as governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, in January in the Old Capitol Building in Tallahassee.
The Faculty Senate there rejected a proposal on Thursday to award Mr. Bush an honorary degree this spring. Some members openly criticized his policies.
It is the first time in memory that the group has rejected a nominee put forth by its honorary degrees committee, said J. Bernard Machen, the university president.
The Senate voted, 38 to 28, against the proposal, which came from a former president of the university and was supported by two university trustees appointed by Mr. Bush.
The Senate chairwoman, Denaya Wright, said the nomination was a mistake, not just because some faculty members dislike Mr. Bush, a Republican who called himself “the education governor,” but also because he did not have the right background for an honorary degree.
“Recipients have pretty much always been distinguished scientists, engineers, artists, nurses, doctors,” Ms. Wright said.
The university, based in Gainesville, has awarded honorary degrees to five former governors, including Bob Graham in 2004 and Reubin Askew in 1983. All were Democrats. It also bestowed one on Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, in 2004.
Mr. Bush did not respond to an e-mail request for comment.
Mr. Machen, for one, is embarrassed.
“I think it’s a horrible decision,” he said in an interview. “I’ve heard from lots of alumni today who are very upset.”
Though it rejected Mr. Bush, the Senate approved two other nominees, Andrew H. Hines Jr., a mechanical engineer and former power company executive who is an alumnus, and Barry C. Barish, professor emeritus of physics at the California Institute of Technology.
Kathleen Price, a law professor who voted no on Mr. Bush, said he had let down the university by vetoing a measure that would have let its graduate and professional schools raise tuition.
Mr. Machen said that he feared reprisal from the Legislature, but that Mr. Bush was “probably having a good laugh” about the vote. In sports, the real passion at most Florida colleges, Mr. Bush roots for the University of Miami, Mr. Machen said.
