Those who voted against Ono pointed to what they described as substantive concerns to his record and responses during a tense, hours-long interview. Board members cited his reversal on diversity and climate change initiatives, and his delayed response to antisemitism during his tenures at University of Michigan and University of British Columbia.

Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. Ono resigned his U-M job last month when he was named the sole finalist for the top job at Florida. The Free Press was unable to reach Ono for comment.

Longtime academic Santa Ono has been rejected for the University of Florida presidency by the state university system board.