Judy Genshaft

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, USF professor Sami Al-Arian was interviewed by Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly regarding his connections to Ramadan Shalah, leader of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine.[10][11] The interview led to bomb threats and the resulting evacuation of a campus building, and in October 2001, Genshaft placed Al-Arian on paid administrative leave and prohibited him from entering USF property, saying she believed his presence would compromise campus security.[12][13] On Dec. 19, 2001, the USF Board of Trustees voted 12 to 1 in favor of a resolution that President Genshaft act should dismiss Al-Arian "as quickly as university processes will allow." The next day, the university’s provost sent Al-Arian an intent to terminate for cause letter. Both the Faculty Senate and the United Faculty of Florida condemned the proposed termination on grounds of academic freedom.[11] The UFF also said campus security concerns were exaggerated.[14] After his response to the termination letter, Genshaft decided to leave Al-Arian on paid leave while investigations continued.[11]

The FBI arrested Al-Arian on February 26, 2003. The government alleged Al-Arian was the North American leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and had raised funds and organized activities to support the murder of more than 100 people. He was charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder.[15] Six days later, Genshaft fired Al-Arian. Al-Arian eventually pled down to providing support to members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and was sentenced to 57 months in prison.[16]

She received $879,506 for the 2015-2016 academic year, ranking her as the 11th highest paid university president in the United States.[17] After 2015, her contract was renewed year-to-year rather than spanning five years.[18] In March 2017, USF's Board of Trustees voted to provide her with a total compensation package $924,547, including a base salary of $505,837 with 37% of the total package tied to performance.[19] Under Florida law, state funding for the president's salary is capped at $200,000. USF uses private funding to make up the difference.[20]

In 2016, a campaign organized by Students for a Democratic Society to persuade Genshaft to change the name of a campus building failed. The campaign targeted the removal of Bill Young's name because of Young's homophobic actions in the 1960s on the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee and his continued support for anti-LGBT policies up until his death.[21]

Adjunct faculty professors launched Faculty Forward, a campaign to unionize adjuncts. In October 2017, a state hearing officer recommended Public Employees Relations Commission approve the adjuncts’ request for an election “as soon as is practicable”, but Genshaft's administration took steps to delay union elections. The protesting adjunct professors were supported by Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp.[22]

In June 2019, Genshaft and her husband donated $20 million to USF for the construction of a new honors college. She also donated $3 million to endow a deanship for the honors college.[23]