Campus | Student Life

International students watch restrictions loosen in Gainesville as COVID-19 rages at home

By Isabella Douglas and Alexandra Harris | July 8

Almost 6,000 international students from 140 countries, more than half of them graduate students, attended UF in Fall 2020, according to the UF International Center. Students witnessed inequality, civil unrest and vaccine shortages while in their home countries. Others read about their country’s pandemic in the news and listened to their loved ones overseas.

Gainesville gym memberships increase along with omicron cases

By Carissa Allen | Jan. 18

UF all-female team takes Florida Hackathon grand prize

By Allyssa Keller | Jan. 18

“To be her friend was to feel true joy.”: In Honor of Sabrina Marie Obando

By Allessandra Inzinna | Jan. 10

UF graduate student wins $25,000 award in Deep Space Food Challenge

By Maia Botek | Jan. 5

Participants start running during the Gainesville Race for Inclusion organized by Special Olympics Florida on Dec. 4, 2021. Nathan Grinalds came first in the race.

Special Olympics Florida hosts Inaugural Race for Inclusion

By Thandie Brown | Dec. 10

More Campus | Student Life

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is seen on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

UF African American Studies Course Title Sparks Controversy Among Students

By Desiree Anello | Nov. 29

The African American Studies department is offering a course next semester titled “Blacks in Florida” under the course code AFA4225. Some students said the wording of the course title is off-putting and may take away from the intentions of the course. Others believe the course offers a different look into Black experiences in Florida.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

UF students hold “Squid Game” inspired event

By Jenny Rogers | Nov. 16

About 117 UF students played the games, modeled after the South Korean show streamed on Netflix, on Nov. 6 as part of the university’s Gator Humans versus Zombies club. The students also peppered in zombie tag and Nerf guns.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

UF alumni to release new dating app Jungle

By Emma Behrmann | Nov. 8

Beta testing is set to start Nov. 27 in Gainesville

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

Students, state leaders discuss unease and climate action at Campus Climate Corps conference

By Alexandra Harris | Nov. 1

To introduce students and other attendees to the worldwide United Nation Conferences of Parties, about 50 attendees tuned in Sunday to the Campus Climate Corps Conference.

Sarah McGrath-Blaser (left) holds a Florida softshell turtle shell while Arik Hartmann (right) points to it, showing how the vertebrae is fused with the shell, at UF's Longo Lab on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. "Turtles can't leave their shells because they are part of the skeleton," Hartmann said.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

UF researchers try breaking misconceptions against ‘spooky’ animals

By Max Taylor | Nov. 1

While biology may not sound like a creepy affair, some UF researchers are closely studying bizarre diseases that rot amphibians’ skin, along with a new species of worm-like creatures and lizards that eat other animals and their eggs.

Hannah Strickland, 5, surveys the festivities in her Princess Ariel costume during Dance Marathon at UF's Moralloween event at Flavet Field on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

Dance Marathon at UF celebrates money raised to help fight against pediatric illnesses

By Elena Barrera | Oct. 29

The student-led non-profit organization hosted Moralloween to celebrate its successes during its big fall fundraising push Transform Today. Transform Today was a 26.2 hour period on Tuesday in which Dance Marathon members worked to raise as much money as they could, said Kristina Smith, the organization’s public relations director.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

Halloween comes to Shands Children’s Hospital patients

By Elena Barrera | Oct. 18

The hospital’s Child Life Program is working with volunteers, student organizations and community donors to provide the young patients with candy, costumes and fall-themed crafts.

Susan Percival, Food Science and Human Nutrition Department chair, smiles while the judges taste chili during the Chili Cook Off on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. The fundraising event was a part of Food Week 2021.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

UF’s Food Week offers taste of food science programs

By Maya Erwin | Oct. 15

The Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at UF hosted Food Week, an offering of food-related events to make students aware about the college department.

Gavin Hughes (left), Haddie Hughes (middle), and twins Emanuel and Elijah Harmon (right) watch the UF Homecoming Parade approach on University Avenue on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

UF homecoming traditions return after one-year hiatus

By Elena Barrera | Oct. 11

More than 7,000 people packed into the O’Connell Center as Gator chomps rippled through the crowd followed by the classic “It’s great to be a Florida Gator” chant. These were both demonstrations of what homecoming week is all about: tradition.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

UF adds waitlist option for Spring 2022 registration

By Max Taylor | Oct. 11

UF will add an “Add to Wait list” button to its ONE.UF course registration page for next semester. Students will have the option to add themselves to a list that reserves spots for full classes. As students drop the class, those on the waitlist will have the option to enroll in the course.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

‘Gainesville Plague’: Flu symptoms widespread on campus

By J.P. Oprison | Oct. 11

Coughs, runny noses and sore throats are now common symptoms for many UF students. After a decrease of flu cases in 2020, students are once again catching the “Gainesville Plague” three months into the semester.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

UF looks to celebrate top 5 status with day off in Spring

By Mariana Larsen | Oct. 4

UF students could soon mark Feb. 9 in their calendars as a day off from class.

An emergency blue light is seen near Broward Dining Facility. on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

UPD offers changes on campus following a sexual assault, kidnapping attempt

By Maya Erwin | Sep. 29

UPD says its working to keep students safe on campus with more lighting, safety training and police presence

The Hub on University is seen on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.

CAMPUS | STUDENT LIFE

Fleas, leaks and gashes: the off-campus luxury student living experience

By Allessandra Inzinna | Sep. 27

Many residents claim the luxury they were promised in off-campus housing may not be as advertised. Despite the chronic issues, new apartments continue to be built surrounding UF’s campus.