The University of Florida’s Faculty Senate has voted to deny an honorary degree to former Gov. Jeb Bush, The Gainesville Sun reported today.

The Senate voted, 38 to 28, against granting the degree to Mr. Bush, who left office in January. University officials said it was the first time they could recall the Senate’s rejecting a nominee for such a degree.

During his eight-year tenure, Mr. Bush, a Republican, drew fire from many higher-education and civil-rights advocates for his One Florida plan, which ended race-based admissions at state universities. He also pressed to decentralize governance of Florida’s 11 public universities.

The Faculty Senate’s rejection of a degree for Mr. Bush comes at a politically sensitive time for University of Florida administrators, who are trying to persuade the Republican-controlled Legislature to approve a controversial $500-a-semester fee increase to pay for new faculty and academic advisers. —Karin Fischer