A recent undercover video released by the conservative watchdog group Accuracy in Media (AIM) appears to show Heather Klišanin, an administrator at the University of South Florida (USF) St. Petersburg, discussing methods to circumvent Florida’s law banning public funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. In the footage, Klišanin explains that by channeling DEI initiatives through student government and utilizing student fees—which are not subject to the same restrictions as state funds—the university can continue supporting such programs.
Klišanin, who serves as the director of student conduct and ethical development and dean of student ambassadors at USF St. Petersburg, is seen in the video stating, “It is a student-funded area, so it changes some things in regards to what we are able to do because student-funded things are not affected by the changes in regulation and law.”
She further notes that while departments cannot directly fund DEI efforts, partnering with student government allows these initiatives to proceed with student funding. “If it’s student-funded, they can’t stop it. But like, our departments can’t spend any money on that,” Klišanin explained.
In response to the video, USF stated that it complies with all state and federal laws related to DEI and does not operate a DEI office. The university has initiated a review of the matter and, based on an initial assessment, believes Klišanin was referencing a legal exemption for student-led, student-funded programs. Nonetheless, USF has mandated additional training for Klišanin to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable laws.
AIM contends that this approach may still violate state law, arguing that since many students receive taxpayer-funded scholarships, the use of student fees could indirectly involve public funds. The organization highlights that over 74% of Florida residents enrolled at USF receive such scholarships, potentially undermining the claim that student-funded DEI programs are entirely separate from state funding.
This incident is part of a broader trend in Florida, where educational institutions have been scrutinized for allegedly finding ways to maintain DEI programs despite legislative efforts to restrict them. Previously, Dr. Haywood Brown, a USF administrator, resigned after audio surfaced of him discussing strategies to continue DEI initiatives under different titles, such as “cultural enrichment,” to comply with state laws.
