Recent events at UF demonstrate the failure of our university in being an independent public institution, free from external political influence, dedicated to providing a quality education and advancing the public good. The administration, by preventing professors from providing expert testimony in court cases as to protect the political interests of the state of Florida and restricting professors from offering courses in subjects that the state's political leadership oppose being taught, have failed to uphold the university's mission and have revealed the disturbing political influence which has sway over our institution. These revelations should greatly alarm all members of the UF community, no matter our different political opinions and affiliations. These actions pose a danger to the academic freedom necessary for a free democracy.

We, the graduate and undergraduate students, the alumni, the staff, the donors and all members of the broader community of the University of Florida need to send a message to the administration that we can not tolerate this disgrace to the university that we love and that we stand in solidarity with the faculty and for their demands. We must demand an apology from the administration, their full cooperation with independent external investigations into the actions of the administration and the presence of any undue external influence at the University, and a commitment to upholding academic freedom and the university's mission, independently of any external influence. Please sign the petition to show support behind these demands and to save academic freedom at UF!