University of South Florida Doctor Resigns After Audio Surfaces Touting DEI Circumvention Tactics
Haywood Brown, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of South Florida (USF), has resigned from his position following the emergence of audio recordings in which he discussed strategies to circumvent anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) laws in Florida. The audio, obtained by Fox News Digital, captured Brown detailing how he continued to implement DEI policies despite state laws and a recent Supreme Court ruling that restricts the consideration of race in college admissions.
The university confirmed that Brown was placed on administrative leave pending a review of the matter after becoming aware of his comments. However, Brown opted to resign immediately instead of waiting for the investigation to conclude.
In the audio, Brown addressed a presentation at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) last month, where he expressed his concern about the "anti-woke movement" and its impact on medical education, training, and health equity.
"I really want to discuss the threat of the anti-woke movement to medical education and training and health equity," Brown stated in the video.
Brown, who previously held the position of Vice President for Institutional Equity at USF, explained how he managed to maintain DEI initiatives even after his job title was changed.
"Even though I eliminated my title, I didn’t eliminate my job," he said. "That didn’t change anything that I was doing already."
He revealed that USF rebranded its DEI office to focus on "cultural enrichment," a move he described as a strategic way to continue DEI efforts under a different guise.
"As long as it works, that’s what we do," Brown said. "So we changed our name to healthcare access. Who could argue against that? How do you get healthcare excellence? You only get healthcare equity. If you have a workforce that can meet those needs. So my office changed its name, and we’re able to do that to culture and enrichment. And we had it codified by our Faculty Council and a task force. And so the fact that it comes to codify this. And as a result, this is now how we address our issues. And who can argue against culture and environment. You know. But we no longer have a person who’s dedicated to it. We have a council that’s dedicated to it. Isn’t that slippery? As long as it works. That’s what we do."
Brown further stated that healthcare professionals are best equipped to make decisions and sometimes need to disregard directives from "the big house." He also admitted to being "slippery" when dealing with legislators.
In his address, Brown also criticized Stephen Miller, a White House official who has been vocal about his opposition to DEI initiatives.
"Well, Stephen Miller has already tried to attack the University of South Florida," he said of Miller. "He’s a Dookie [Duke University alum]. We don’t claim him. He’s also, and he also claims to be Jewish, but we’ll see."
Regarding the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action, Brown stated that it would not affect Florida since "race-conscious" admissions have been banned in the state since 1999.
The State University System of Florida defines DEI as any program, campus activity, or policy that classifies individuals based on race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation and promotes differential or preferential treatment based on such classifications.
In 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law prohibiting colleges and universities from using government funds to promote, support, or maintain DEI programs or campus activities.
DeSantis’s office responded to the audio of Brown, stating that immediate action was taken to terminate his relationship with the university system.
"With the details of Mr. Brown’s actions and public commitments to violating state law and academic standards surfacing to our attention, our office has immediately ensured his relationship with our university system has ended," said DeSantis Communications Director Bryan Griffin. "This individual’s employment at the University of South Florida is over today, and he is no longer welcome to work in Florida education."
Before Brown’s resignation, USF expressed its disappointment and concern over his remarks, affirming that the university adheres to all state and federal guidelines, policies, and laws. They said any suggestion otherwise by Dr. Brown is untrue.
Critics of DEI policies have voiced their opinions on the audio.
Kristina Rasmussen, Executive Director of Do No Harm, stated, "Woke DEI ideology is invasive at our university medical schools. The speech by former USF vice president for Institutional Equity Dr. Haywood Brown at Virginia Commonwealth University Health should raise alarm bells for state legislators, governors, attorneys general and anyone concerned about the state of medicine. Do No Harm will continue to work to expose administrators harming our healthcare system and we will not stop until this woke DEI ideology is fully eradicated."
Will Hild, Executive Director of Consumers’ Research, said, "This is just another example of how health systems across the country are intentionally prioritizing a woke agenda over patient care. The Trump Administration has made it crystal clear that woke ideology such as DEI is illegal and must be removed from our institutions. Organizations like VCU think they can pull the wool over Americans’ eyes by inviting speakers like Dr. Haywood Brown, who has been caught openly strategizing on how to break the law and continue DEI practices covertly. Dr. Haywood may be proud of his plan to rename DEI positions and offices, but someone should tell institutions like VCU who continue to allow illegal DEI practices that they are effectively begging the Trump Administration to investigate their discriminatory practices."
Fox News Digital attempted to contact Brown for comment but did not receive a response. The incident has sparked further debate about the role of DEI in higher education and the extent to which institutions are complying with state laws.
