TAMPA, Fla. — Students at the University of South Florida are calling on leaders there to go against a proposed bill that targets diversity and inclusion programs.

​The proposed bill is HB 999. It would allow the state’s board of governors to have oversight on everything from hiring faculty, to determining what subjects they can teach in school.

Authors of the bill said this would make sure universities aren’t violating the governor’s so called ‘anti woke law’.

The governor continues to tout his stance on getting rid of diversity and inclusion programs.

If passed, the proposed bill would allow politicians to decide who gets hired and it would also allow politicians to evaluate curriculum.

Students say they want school leaders to stand up against the proposal.

“We really want to show the admin that we don’t support house bill 999 and we want to stand for everything espousing DEI rhetoric,” said USF junior, Abigail Schnittker.

University leaders at USF said in a board of trustees meeting Tuesday that they’re committed to fostering an inclusive environment

“Diversity, equity and inclusion. These are three perfectly noble concepts that the state of Florida wants to ban in their entirety,” USF senior, Jonathan Chavez said.

During a demonstration Monday, USF police arrested four students when they clashed with officers. The group of students and some former students were demanding a meeting with USF’s president on this very issue.