A new documentary titled *First They Came for My College* sheds light on the ongoing struggle for academic freedom at New College in Florida. Once a bastion of progressive thought, the institution has faced aggressive changes under Governor Ron DeSantis, who has sought to reshape it into a conservative stronghold. The film follows the passionate responses from students and alumni as they navigate this upheaval, highlighting both the emotional toll and the resilience of a community under siege.
A Rapid Transformation
In a dramatic turn of events, New College, a liberal arts institution that has cultivated independent thought for over fifty years, saw its ethos dismantled in less than a year. Following the removal of its former board president, Patricia Okker, in January 2023, DeSantis appointed a new board composed of individuals aligned with his conservative agenda. Their mission: to eradicate what they deemed “woke ideology” from the campus, culminating in the abolition of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and critical race theory.
The consequences of these changes were dire. Students witnessed their library shelves stripped of works by Black and Indigenous authors, while academic departments focused on gender studies were eliminated. The once-vibrant campus culture began to shift, with reports of increased hostility towards queer students and a pervasive atmosphere of fear regarding free expression.
Gaby Batista, a former editor of the campus newspaper and protest leader, articulated the confusion and fear that many students experienced during this tumultuous period. “As a student at a public university, you don’t expect to learn the names of your board of trustees, let alone see their influence so directly affect your education,” she remarked.
Documenting a Fight for Identity
*First They Came for My College* chronicles the story of New College as it became a focal point in the broader conflict over education in America. The film’s producers, Harry W. Hanbury and director Patrick Bresnan, aimed to capture the emotional landscape of the institution during this time. Hanbury, a New College alumnus, expressed his anguish upon witnessing the changes, describing the takeover as a painful betrayal of the community’s values.
With a commitment to preserving the voices of the student body, Bresnan opted to engage students directly in the filmmaking process. He provided them with camera phones, allowing them to document their experiences, protests, and moments of solidarity. This collaborative approach not only enriched the film’s narrative but also empowered students to take ownership of their stories in a time of upheaval.
A Community Resilient in Resistance
The documentary highlights the creative and spirited responses from students seeking to reclaim their community. Amidst the challenges, students organised drag performances and social gatherings to celebrate their identities and maintain the traditions that define New College. These acts of defiance served as both a form of resistance and a means of preserving the essence of the institution against the backdrop of increasing repression.
In one poignant moment captured in the film, students confronted DeSantis during his visit to campus, chanting slogans like “Only Nazis ban books.” This visceral response underscored the students’ resolve to challenge the changes imposed upon them and to advocate for their rights to free expression and academic inquiry.
Amid these protests, students grappled with significant questions about the purpose of universities. One student posed a critical inquiry: “Are they businesses to extract wealth from people, or are they places where we not only expand consciousness but also gain skillsets to improve humanity?” This sentiment reflects a growing awareness among students of the broader implications of the political climate on their education.
A Cautionary Tale for Our Times
As the filmmakers reflect on their project, they express concern over the escalating threat to academic freedom across the United States. With funding cuts to universities that resist political agendas and the closure of numerous gender studies programs, many fear that New College serves as a harbinger of a larger trend. Batista poignantly described the institution as a “canary in the coalmine” for academic institutions nationwide.
Bresnan emphasised the documentary’s role as a cautionary tale, asserting that it captures a significant moment in contemporary history. “This is fascism,” he stated unequivocally, aiming to provoke critical dialogue about the current state of higher education. He hopes that audiences will reflect on this period, much like they do with historical civil rights films, to prevent such an erosion of academic values from recurring in the future.
*First They Came for My College* is set to premiere this month at the True/False documentary festival, with additional screenings scheduled for South By Southwest on 12 March.
Why it Matters
The struggle at New College is emblematic of a larger national crisis regarding academic freedom and the role of education in society. As institutions grapple with political pressures and ideological divisions, the fight for the soul of education becomes increasingly urgent. This documentary not only documents a pivotal moment in the lives of New College students but also serves as a rallying cry for all those who believe in the essential role of diverse thought and free expression in shaping a vibrant academic community. The implications of this battle extend far beyond Florida, signalling a broader confrontation over the future of education in America.
