What’s up, Gator Nation! I hope your semester so far has been safe, productive and enjoyable. We are about halfway through the Fall semester, and your Student Government has been busy working to get things done for all Gators. I’m so excited to tell you about some of the projects we have completed.
I’d like to start this letter off with a congratulations to all the newly elected senators! I’m looking forward to seeing all the great work Student Senate will accomplish this year.
RecSports recently implemented capacity counters for the gyms on campus. Before, students relied on live webcams that gave a general idea of how crowded the different facilities were. Now, students will have a much more detailed understanding of how full the weight rooms, basketball courts and other rooms are so you can plan your gym trip accordingly.
I’m happy to announce that kosher and halal-friendly food options are available in the P.O.D. markets in the Hub, Reitz Union, Rawlings Hall, Graham Area and Beaty Towers, as well as the Little Hall Express. This will give students more food choices to enjoy whether they live on campus, are there for class or if they’re just studying for an exam.
On Tuesday, Armando Christian Perez, aka Pitbull, came to campus as a partnership with Accent Speakers Bureau and UF’s Hispanic Heritage Month. The sold-out show was hosted at the Phillips Center for Performing Arts to an enthusiastic crowd. He spoke about his music career, business ventures and philanthropic accomplishments.
Effective Tuesday, Library West will stay open 24/7. SG approved a reserves transfer to make this a reality. Additionally, I worked with the Provost to secure funding for Library West to be open 24/7 for an additional two years without using Activity and Service Fees. SG is committed to the goal of bringing UF to top five status and advocating for every resource possible for students to be successful in their rigorous coursework. Over the next few years, the occupancy of Library West will be monitored to see if there is an increase in overnight usage as we strive for top five. This way, the Office of the Provost will be able to assess the necessity of a 24/7 library on our campus.
SG has partnered with the University Athletic Association to provide water stations at every home football game. These can be found at gate eight and between gates 15 and 16 for Gator fans to stay hydrated on hot game days. Speaking of football, this coming Saturday, the Gators will be taking on the Louisiana State University Tigers right here in The Swamp. Senior Class President Trevor Pope is organizing a "blue out for the game" to let LSU know that only Gators get out of The Swamp alive. Be sure to wear blue on Saturday and cheer on the Gators to victory!
SG launched a program Sept. 19 to 26 to support students as they made their way through Career Showcase. Students received 25 free copies of their resumes on parchment paper from the SG Graphics and Copy Center.
Finally, I want to share with you all a great opportunity to make a difference during the coming year. The Bridges Minority Outreach Program is currently accepting applications for high school mentors. Bridges aims to narrow the gap between higher education and secondary education for minority students across different regions in Florida. The mentors will be well-versed in academic coaching, campus awareness, safety protocols and college readiness skills. Applications are open until Sunday and can be found at https://tinyurl.com/y8lu4zll.
Thank you so much for taking the time to stay informed about your SG. This year is off to a great start, and I am really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish on behalf of every Gator. Stay updated in the meantime by following the SG Facebook page. Have a great rest of your semester and as always... Go Gators!
Ian Green is the UF Student Body President.
