University of Florida Board Appoints Stuart Bell as Interim Leader
UF trustees plan to install Stuart Bell as interim president after the Board of Governors delayed his final confirmation over governance concerns.
- On Monday, the University of Florida Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Stuart Bell as interim president, sidestepping a confirmation delay by the State University System Board of Governors.
- State University System Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine removed Bell's confirmation from the agenda, alleging UF Board Chair Mori Hosseini held "sweeping authority" he deemed "problematic" and "inconsistent with best practices in governance."
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's office stated on Friday that the Board of Governors lacks a legal basis to delay the vote, while the GrayRobinson law firm concluded board governance standards are proper.
- Beginning July 1, Bell, the former president of the University of Alabama, will serve as interim leader with an annual salary of $2 million and a twenty-week severance clause if not selected permanently by June 30, 2027.
- Bell still requires ratification by the State University System Board of Governors and has vowed not to enact diversity, equity and inclusion programs as the university seeks stability after nearly two years without a permanent leader following Ben Sasse's departure.
16 Articles
16 Articles
UF Board appoints Stuart Bell as interim president
Ana Goñi-Lessan ©2026 The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — The University of Florida Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Dr. Stuart Bell as interim president Monday, but not without criticizing Alan Levine, chairman of the State University System Board of Governors, for delaying the confirmation process. Without mentioning Levine by name, trustees said his push to postpone Bell’s confirmation caused “collateral damage,” that was “frust…
UF Trustees Appoint Stuart Bell as Interim President
The University of Florida (UF) Board of Trustees unanimously voted Monday to appoint Dr. Stuart R. Bell as interim president, effective July 1, as the university awaits final approval of his selection as UF’s next president. Bell, who served as president of the University of Alabama from 2015 to 2025, was unanimously selected by the trustees on June 10 to become the university’s next president. His appointment remains subject to ratification by …
UF Board of Trustees picks Stuart Bell as interim president, defends Mori Hosseini against outside attacks
The University of Florida Board of Trustees had its say Monday in the wake of attacks on Board Chair Mori Hosseini from the State University System Board of Governors. It also affirmed its choice of Stuart Bell as an interim presidential pick at a $2 million salary, with a $500,000 termination fee should he be released from his contract. If he completes his term as interim president by the end of June and is not hired permanently, he is owed 20 …
Sun-Sentinel
Orlando SentinelUF Board of Trustees appoints Stuart Bell as interim president
The University of Florida Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Dr. Stuart Bell as interim president Monday, but not without criticizing the delay of the confirmation process.
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