UF Student Body president announces future plans for students

UF Student Body President Susan Webster took the University Auditorium’s stage alone to give the State of the Campus Address on Tuesday night.

In the address, Webster outlined Student Government’s accomplishments over the last year and its future plans. Beforehand, UF President Kent Fuchs, Provost Joseph Glover and Vice President of Advancement Tom Mitchell spoke during a Panel on Preeminence, during which they described UF’s plan to be a top-10 public university to about 100 students and faculty members.

During the address, Webster spoke about the opening of the Field and Fork Pantry, which provides free canned goods to anyone with a Gator 1 Card, and the Gator Career Closet, where students can borrow professional clothes and get free headshots.

“My job tonight is to educate you and update you on our Student Body,” Webster said after she opened her speech with a moment of silence for Abigail Dougherty, a UF student who was killed Friday.

Webster said SG plans to urge state legislatures to fund 23 full-time mental-health professionals for UF.

“Mental-health initiatives are also at the forefront of what we do as students,” she said. “Right now, students have to wait months sometimes to see a mental-health professional.”

SG will expand the UF Safe Rides program to give students discounted Uber rides five days a week over a larger area, she said.

Webster also announced SG’s goals, including a program to cover textbook fees for general education classes and an SG-sponsored bus to airports before academic breaks.

For the textbook program, SG would purchase books for large general education classes, such as What Is The Good Life, and make the codes available online for student use. The bus program would target international students, she said.

Prior to the address, Fuchs, Glover and Mitchell outlined plans to make UF one of the best public universities in the nation. To do this, Fuchs said the university will improve the Gainesville community, lower the student-to-faculty ratio and hire expert professors.

“We want to hire faculty in those areas who are, or will be, the very best in their fields,” Fuchs said.

Glover addressed UF’s graduation rate, as 67 percent of students graduate in four years and 87 percent in six. He said although it’s a good rate nationally, he wants to increase it.

“The state of Florida would like to see students move through a little faster,” he said.

The administrators also answered pre-submitted student questions including how students can best contribute to UF’s preeminence.

“I would say graduate on time and get a good job or go to a good graduate school,” Glover said.

UF Student Body President Susan Webster speaks to students and faculty members in the University Auditorium during the State of the Campus Address on Tuesday night. Webster outlined Student Government’s recent accomplishments and goals.