Rick Scott, Florida Governor, Says Of Anthropologists, 'We Don't Need Them Here'

Does Florida Have A Problem With The Social Sciences?

Florida Republican leaders seem to have a problem with the social sciences. Last year, a powerful state senator (due to become Senate president next year) urged the state's universities to scale back programs that produce psychology and political science majors. This week, the governor is taking on anthropology.

Governor Rick Scott gave an interview Monday to The Herald-Tribune in which he said that he wants to shift money away from some degree programs at state universities to increase support for science and technology fields. To illustrate what's wrong with current funding patterns, he said: "If I'm going to take money from a citizen to put into education then I'm going to take that money to create jobs. So I want that money to go to degrees where people can get jobs in this state. Is it a vital interest of the state to have more anthropologists? I don't think so."

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