The Florida Board of Governors moved to slow the University of Florida’s presidential hiring process after compliance concerns, but trustees proceeded anyway, hiring Stuart Bell as interim president. The system board chair, Alan Levine, delayed action on Bell’s permanent selection, pointing to concerns about governance and compliance with state university system regulations. UF’s board partially sidestepped the holdup by appointing Bell interim in a unanimous vote during a special meeting. Levine said the system board would schedule a special meeting “as soon as legally possible” to vote on Bell permanently, and he cited allegations involving UF board chair Mori Hosseini’s delegated authority and potential financial and real-estate practices. The dispute also reflects broader political pressures around Bell, including right-wing opposition tied to his prior support for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as Alabama president, and echoes earlier board conflicts that derailed UF’s previous leadership selection.