Under a new law signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida public colleges and universities will not be able to accept any grant from or enter into any “partnership or agreement” with China or any other “foreign country of concern” without permission.

The bill, S.B. 846, defines a “partnership” as a “faculty or student exchange program, a study abroad program, an articulation program, a recruiting program, or a dual degree program” and an “agreement” as a “written statement of mutual interest in academic or research collaboration.”

Other “countries of concern” include Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela.

[It’s certainly within the state’s authority when it comes to public universities and colleges. It might be dicier when applied to private schools, although any state tuition subsidies could be withheld on that basis. The challenges to this law — and you know they are coming — will be interesting to watch. — Ed]