In a move that has sparked controversy, the Florida Board of Governors has announced plans to commission a study examining the economic return on investment (ROI) of Women and Gender Studies programs at the state’s public universities. Critics, however, argue that the study is a thinly veiled attempt to eliminate these programs.
A New Approach to Evaluating University Programs
The Florida Board of Governors, responsible for overseeing the State University System, has launched a pilot study to assess the operational costs, student outcomes, and ROI of specific academic programs, including Women and Gender Studies, alongside more career-oriented fields such as Computer Science, Nursing, Civil Engineering, and Finance. The study, detailed in a request for proposals issued in December, is intended to evaluate how much these programs contribute to the state’s economy relative to their costs.
Chancellor Ray Rodrigues emphasized that the decision to pursue this pilot study was influenced by a similar initiative conducted at the University of North Carolina. According to Rodrigues, North Carolina’s study, commissioned by Deloitte, provided valuable insights into the economic impact of various programs, which is why Florida decided to try a similar approach. However, he also noted that the Florida study would be limited to a smaller group of programs for now.
“There’s no requirement for us to do this study,” Rodrigues said. “But if it works, we’ll come back next year and ask for funding to extend it.”
A Targeted Study, or Something More?
While the Board of Governors insists that this is just a pilot project, some lawmakers and university advocates are questioning the motivations behind the initiative. Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat from Orlando, criticized the study’s timing and its potential implications. She suggested that the study was designed to provide economic justification for eliminating Women and Gender Studies programs, a move that was proposed but ultimately dropped in 2023 due to First Amendment concerns.
“The timing for it, too, seems to be designed for there to be a bogus ROI calculation that would lead to the release of a report by mid-legislative session, which they would then use to eliminate funding for Women and Gender Studies,” Eskamani told the Phoenix. She also warned that using economic data to target specific programs could violate constitutional protections related to academic freedom and free speech.
The controversy over Women and Gender Studies programs has been a focal point in Florida politics in recent years. Governor Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers have repeatedly criticized such programs, framing them as ideologically driven rather than academically rigorous. In 2023, lawmakers even proposed a bill to ban funding for these programs across the state, though the effort was withdrawn after concerns were raised about potential legal challenges.
Will the Study Lead to Funding Cuts?
The question on many minds now is whether the study will be used as a pretext for funding cuts to Women and Gender Studies programs. Some advocates for the programs fear that the ROI report could be manipulated to portray them as economically inefficient, despite the important societal value they provide.
Eskamani isn’t the only one concerned. Many university professors, students, and alumni see this study as part of a broader political effort to undermine academic freedom and limit the scope of university curricula. Some argue that evaluating a program solely on its economic impact ignores the value of critical thinking, cultural awareness, and social justice issues that these disciplines promote.
The Broader Context of ROI Studies in Education
The debate over Women and Gender Studies programs in Florida is part of a larger national conversation about the role of universities in preparing students for the workforce. In recent years, ROI studies have become more common as lawmakers, policymakers, and the public push for greater accountability in higher education. The concern is that some programs may be costing more than they are worth in terms of job placement and economic outcomes.
Proponents of a more market-driven approach to education argue that universities should focus on programs that lead directly to high-paying jobs, like engineering, healthcare, and technology. However, critics of this view contend that education should be about more than just job preparation. They argue that the humanities and social sciences, including fields like Women and Gender Studies, offer valuable perspectives on culture, identity, and society, which are essential for a well-rounded education.
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