Tuesday afternoon, Florida State University Board of Trustee's named Sen. John Thrasher the school's new president.
This decision has created a major uproar with students and faculty members of Florida State.
Students and faculty are concerned with his lack of academic criteria and his stance on political issues, justifying him as an unfit president.
Moments after a vote is taken to choose a new president, students yell and interrupt a meeting of the Florida State University Board of Trustees, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014 in Tallahassee, Fla. The meeting was suspended for a few minutes as protestors were cleared. Despite significant campus opposition, the trustees voted 11-2 to select state Sen. John Thrasher as its next president. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
This 11-2 vote leaves an impression that it was all about the money.
Lorilyne Pinkerton, a member of the Facility and IT department, said she could understand the desire for an academic at the helm of the university. But, she said, the university understood where the academic people want someone with an academic background, that has a plus, but, nowadays the president's job isn't really teaching, it isn't academics, its raising money.
"Who knows, hopefully he'll bring us more money, thats what we sorely need" Pinkerton said."But I feel as if it was a waste of money to hunt for someone since it was [kinda] a done deal."
When it's time to find a new president, faculty and students want a relatable person.
Applicants should have experience working in an academic position, leadership skills, and experience with fundraising.
Sheila Brooks, third-year sociology student from Jacksonville, said she's not too happy about the decision and hopes that Thrasher treats students and faculty respectfully.
"It's kind of heart-breaking, but it is what it is" said Brooks, an African-American woman who says she fears being marginalized under Thrasher's administration. "I just hope he gives others the same respect as he himself would want."
Brooks went on to say that in a sense, she felt as if he was back-doored in.
Chris Simpson, third-year economics student from Clearwater, Fla., said he thinks that the decision was unfair to other candidates and the opinions of faculty and students.
"I definitely think there were other more qualified candidates for the job" Simpson said. "He was given more privileges because he didn't apply, he was selected."
Although John Thrasher has a successful political background, its not good enough for some faculty and students of Florida State. He was the only one of four candidates without an academic background.
A faculty member, who did not want to reveal her name said that she was upset he's not an academic.
"It seem like it was evident that he knew he was going to win from the beginning" James Adams said. A senior criminology student from Miami.
"The board of trustees took it upon themselves to appoint him" Adams said. "it seems like the consensus of students really didn't matter."
Adams said he felt like it was a waste of money because no one really wanted him to be president.
Powerful politician or not, Thrasher has a lot of reaching out and persuading to do.
In April, Thrasher proposed that the Florida A&M/Florida State College of Engineering split into two separate schools, a move that prompted several townhall sessions from enraged Florida A&M students, alumni and supporters.