UCF’S NEW DIVERSITY COORDINATOR OPPOSES DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT. IS THAT REALLY DIVERSITY?
By Sean Hartman
Imagine if you will a world…a world where a conservative activist states that Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders supporters are not welcome on his college campus. A world where he attacks a Palestinian Democrat for voting for Hillary Clinton.
A world where he refuses to even shake hands with leftists, and calls them “communists”.
Now imagine a world where that individual is selected by the Student Government Association to be the Student Body’s new “Diversity” Coordinator.
That sort of thing just happened at the University of Central Florida—but in reverse.
Progressive activist Grayson Lanza was chosen by SGA President Nick Larkins to be on his Cabinet as the “Diversity” Coordinator for the Student Body, according to a report from Red Alert Politics on Friday.
Lanza’s job would be to promote the diverse community of students here at UCF, and make sure that each student felt safe to be here, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, sexual or gender orientation, religious or political affiliations, et al.
Yet Lanza has shown that the one group of people he won’t welcome in his “diverse” college—Trump supporters.
In a 2016 post originally published in KnightNews, Grayson Lanza spoke out against people supporting then-Republican Nominee Donald Trump.
Lanza’s post read the following: “And let today be a lesson to all; Trump supporters are not welcome on our campus.”
Later on in the comments, he makes a snarky mention about how he plans to add “trigger warnings” to his posts, due to opposition from legitimately angry Republicans.
This post supposedly occurred after an anti-Trump protest at UCF, where Lanza held a poster stating “No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA.”
At the event, Lanza had a run-in with Palestinian Trump supporter Daniel Hanna. Hanna, a member of the Young Americans for Liberty, attempted to have a discussion with Lanza about the issues.
“When we started debating politics, I eventually said you know the great thing about this country is we can both differ regarding political views but we can openly discuss it,” Hanna told KnightNews.
“Then I offered him a handshake. He said I’m not shaking your hand, I do not tolerate you and you are not welcome here.”
Another witness to the altercation told Central Florida Post that Lanza not only attacked Hanna, but his entire family.
According to our source, Lanza stated that Hanna and his family, all Palestinian Republicans, were “disgracing their national heritage” for supporting Trump. This despite the fact that Trump has shown support for a two-state solution during the Primaries.
“While I recognize Colleges and Universities are places of personal growth and expression, I am greatly disappointed with the position statement that Trump supporters are not welcomed on the campus of The University of Central Florida,” said Randy Ross, Chairman of the Orange County Trump Republican Club.
“Uniquely, I am hopeful the student organization is not reflective of the University Administration or Alumnus. As the 2016 Orange County Trump Chairman and current Orange County Trump Republican Club President, I find the intolerant approach to those of differing opinions unfair and unreasonable,” Ross continued.
“I can assure you, our President supports ALL Americans no matter race, gender, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation. And as an openly Gay Republican Trump supporter…I can also assure you…he desires solely to Make America Great Again.”
This is the individual who now serves as the UCF’s Diversity Coordinator. He now receives a decent salary from the University, paid for by the tuition of many of the same students that he does not want on campus.
What seems worse is that Lanza was chosen by Nick Larkins. President Larkins won his race with 53% of the vote.
He actively courted the UCF College Republicans, supposedly receiving the support of then-Chairwoman Karis Lockhart (Lockhart, who has governmental experience, was denied the Governmental Affairs Coordinator post by the Senate, seemingly due to her political affiliation).
President Larkins had strong support from several College Republicans, and many of them are feeling betrayed.
“Fun fact: UCF SGA’s new “diversity coordinator” says Trump supporters aren’t welcome on campus. Isn’t that funny!!!”, Karis Lockhart tweeted out.
Another prominent College Republican could not believe it either. “You have to be joking. Please be joking.”
Sadly, it’s not a joke. President Larkins essentially stated to anyone on his campus who is on the Right that they are not welcome there. He did this by selecting Grayson Lanza to run his “diversity” policy.
Harry Truman had a sign on his desk: “The Buck Stops Here”. Right now, the buck stops with President Nick Larkins, and he has a choice to make.
Does President Larkins stand with ALL of the students he represents, and fire Grayson Lanza? Or does he do nothing, and send a message that students like me aren’t welcome on campus?
YOU can make an impact on this decision. Please email President Nick Larkins at sga_pres@ucf.edu, or call the UCF Student Government Association at (407) 823-3291.
The buck stops with you, Nick Larkins.
Sean Hartman is a Junior at the University of Central Florida and former Vice President of the Southwest Florida Young Republicans. A self-identified “classical liberal, libertarian Republican”, he is a member of the Tea Party Movement. He currently hosts his own blog, Sean Hartman: Professional Political Nuisance, which can be found on Facebook. His Twitter is @TheGeekpublican.
