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Search for UF’s new president comes amid discussion of decreased transparency laws

By Elena Barrera | Feb. 14, 2022

UF expects to start looking for a new president in March, UF spokesperson Hessy Fernandez wrote in an email. The search has been kept under wraps so far, and SB 520/HB 703 would keep it that way. Meanwhile, Florida’s senators and representatives have filed Senate Bill 520 and House Bill 703, which would delay the release of any information identifying a university’s presidential applicant, including meeting recordings that would disclose such information if obtained through a public records request.

News

Meet your candidates for Student Government’s Spring elections

By Maia Botek | Feb. 14, 2022

Students can vote for 50 Senators, the Student Body president, vice president and treasurer in eight polling locations across campus on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23. Here are the candidates representing the executive tickets for the Gator and Change Parties.

Santa Fe College students work together in their public speaking honors class at the northwest campus on Thursday, Jan. 27.

News

Santa Fe College creates new charter school

By Lily Kino | Feb. 14, 2022

With a $2 million grant from the State of Florida, the school will offer high school students training in information technology and health sciences, according to a press release. The college received the grant Feb. 2 as part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ $89 million plan to enhance workforce initiatives across the state.

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UF partners with foundation to fund Blockchain Lab

By Fernando Figueroa | Feb. 14, 2022

UF received $270,000 to provide resources to students who want to learn and develop blockchain technology including cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Blockchain is a complex technology, and its applications have not yet been fully defined. Some popular applications of the blockchain include cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin and non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, which are typically digital artworks, like Bored Ape.

Evangelist Cindy Lasseter Smock, better known as "Sister Cindy" to her TikTok fans, speaks to a crowd of over 500 students at Plaza of the Americas on Monday, Feb. 7.

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Infamous TikTok street preacher “Sister Cindy” returns to UF, draws a crowd of heckling students

By Fernando Figueroa | Feb. 11, 2022

In a long skirt and a blue T-shirt with the slogan “Ho No Mo,” ‘Sister Cindy’ pranced inside a circle of more than 500 students, blocking the walkways of Plaza of Americas Monday afternoon. “Welcome to the ho no mo’ revolution!” she shouted.

Roddy Ricch performs at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Student Government Productions coordinated the performance to kick off Black History Month.

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Thousands attend Black History Month concert featuring Roddy Ricch and Joy Oladokun

By Maia Botek | Feb. 9, 2022

Tickets were originally offered exclusively to UF students and went on sale Jan. 25. Roughly 3,000 people were expected to attend, and all 700 pit tickets sold out on the first day of sales, said Student Government Productions Chairman Jake Siegel. The show’s capacity was 6,500, according to the performers’ contract.

Spring 2022 Student Government polling locations.

News

SG announces polling locations for Spring elections

By Maia Botek | Feb. 9, 2022

The SG Elections Commission announced polling locations Tuesday. Eight locations on UF campus will be open for student voting from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 22 and 23.

News

Alachua County vaccination rate hits 70%

By Lucille Lannigan | Feb. 9, 2022

Adult hospitalizations fell from 314 to 276 on Monday, according to the county dashboard. There were 50 adults in the Intensive Care Unit Monday compared to 96 on Jan. 31. There are 15 patients on ventilators as of Monday. About 90% of patients on ventilators are unvaccinated, according to the county’s Facebook page.

Gabrielle Adekunle (left), Change Party's presidential nominee, and Alexandra Quintana lead protestors down Fraternity Row on Friday, Feb. 4. The rally was held by Change Party to advocate for more emergency blue lights along Fraternity Row.

News

Communist Party and Change Party announce Party Platforms

By Gregorio Ruiz-Perez and Maia Botek | Feb. 7, 2022

Students can vote for 50 senators and the Executive Cabinet in SG’s Spring election on Feb. 22 and 23. Five parties are registered: The Gator Party, Change Party, Communist Party, Keg Party and Waffle House Party. Polls will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on election days, per SG election codes. Students who are unable to vote in-person can request absentee ballots through an online form before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, said Supervisor of Elections Alexandra Stedman.

Screenshot of event from Student Government Instagram page

News

Student Government Productions paid Roddy Ricch $350,000 for his concert, which is now open to the public

By Maia Botek | Feb. 7, 2022

For the first time since 2020, Student Government Productions opened up its concerts to the general public.

Students walk through Turlington Plaza in between classes on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Monday marked the beginning of the Fall semester at UF.

News

A social media threat spurred officers to investigate Turlington Hall

By Troy Myers | Feb. 4, 2022

A social media post on Yik Yak Wednesday night spurred University Police Department officers to investigate Turlington Hall at about 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning. The post alluded to a suicide in the building or around the area, and it was not threatenining to other students, UF spokesperson Hessy Fernandez said.

News

Santa Fe College reinstates vaccine incentives

By Lily Kino | Feb. 4, 2022

Santa Fe College students and employees can get $60 for their COVID-19 vaccinations as of Jan. 28. SF announced their second voluntary COVID-19 vaccine incentive, similar to the one in Fall 2021 that resulted in over 2,700 people getting vaccinated, according to the Santa Fe website.

UF students, faculty and Black Student Union members wait for the Black History Month opening ceremony to begin at the Institute of Black Culture on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

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BSU holds opening ceremony to start off the celebrations for Black History Month

By Gregorio Ruiz-Perez | Feb. 4, 2022

The Black Student Union hosted an opening ceremony to honor the start of Black History Month Tuesday. Nearly 50 UF community members, including students, faculty and the UF BSU, along with two guest speakers walked a small red carpet at the Institute of Black Culture across from UF campus.

Gabrielle Adekunle (right), Change Party’s presidential nominee, addresses a crowd outside the Reitz Union North Lawn on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Beside her is Kenya Warner (left), treasurer nominee, and Dayanna Peek (middle), vice presidential nominee.

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Change Party announces executive ticket outside Reitz Union

By Maia Botek | Feb. 2, 2022

On the lawn of the Reitz Union Tuesday morning, the candidates made their debut in front of silver balloons that read ‘FORWARD’ in front of an audience of about 30 students.

Students play a game of poker at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom on Friday, Jan. 28. The event was the inaugural Gator Gala, a get-together for students with games, food and a dance floor.

News

Student Government hosts its first UF Gator Gala

By Maia Botek | Jan. 31, 2022

SG and Gator Nights partnered to host the inaugural Gator Gala Friday evening at the Reitz Union. The free event was open to all UF students from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom with live music, poker tables and raffles for free items, including a UF basketball jersey worth $109.99.

Lauren Lemasters, Gator Party's nominee for Student Government president, walks up to the podium outside of Library West at the announcement of the party's executive ticket on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

News

Gator Party, Communist Party announce executive tickets for Spring 2022 elections

By Maia Botek | Jan. 27, 2022

Two Student Government parties announced their candidates for executive positions three weeks before elections start. Feb. 22 and 23, UF students can cast their votes for a new Student Body president, Vice President and Treasurer. Students will also choose 50 new senators to take over seats organized by college and credit hours.

News

UF hasn’t offered any federal emergency relief this semester; some students worry they never will

By Lucille Lannigan | Jan. 24, 2022

A new federal grant has not been funded for Spring, causing some students to worry as they continue to face impacts from the pandemic.

News

UF offers conflicting information on isolation dorms, leaving students frustrated

By Fernando Figueroa | Jan. 24, 2022

UF will no longer provide isolation dorms for students who live on campus for a “proper quarantine or isolation length,” according to UF Health’s Screen Test & Protect. No further information on how long these periods last is available.

News

Judge prevents UF from enforcing its conflict-of-interest policy

By Elena Barrera | Jan. 21, 2022

A federal judge prohibited UF from enforcing its conflict-of-interest policy, which the university had used to bar professors from testifying in court, Friday morning. Six UF professors suing the university over their academic freedom and First Amendment rights asked District Judge Mark Walker, a double Gator, for a preliminary injunction, an order to end UF’s policy.

News

COVID-19 scare ended student communism vs. capitalism debate

By Maia Botek | Jan. 21, 2022

Concluding statements were cut short when Siddharth Krishnan, a member of the UF Communist Party, announced from the back of the room that a COVID-19-positive student was on the way to the debate.