2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

SG Spring 2014 endorsement: Swamp, but with footnotes

Feb. 17, 2014

Endorsing Student Government parties is always difficult, and in an election season that saw unprecedented events, we found it even harder. Swamp is the only party with a full executive ticket, but we have serious reservations about encouraging the growth of a one-party system — especially when that one party has a history of corruption.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Student Government elections start today

By Hanna Marcus | Feb. 17, 2014

Today marks the first day of voting for Student Government elections.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF's Interfraternity Council launches new website

By Alissa Kostranza | Feb. 17, 2014

UF’s Interfraternity Council launched its new website last week with hope that its upgraded interface and new features will help strengthen UF’s Greek community.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF site to help families figure out mandatory health insurance

By Purvi Pandit | Feb. 17, 2014

A new health insurance website, launched through UF Health Shands Hospital, has been formed to help newly admitted students and their families purchase or prove their health insurance.

Kendra Vincent, chairwoman of the Gainesville chapter of National Women’s Liberation, advocates for women’s abortion rights. The event was held Monday afternoon on Plaza of the Americas.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF abortion advocates gather on UF's campus to speak out

By Jessica Hundley | Feb. 17, 2014

At an abortion awareness event held Monday on the Plaza of the Americas, speakers told Gators abortion is something college women and men both have a stake in.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gator football starters endorse Students Party in SG Spring 2014 elections

By Hanna Marcus | Feb. 17, 2014

Two UF football players have publicly endorsed the Students Party.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Law event to focus on agriculture issues

By Jana Berkowitz | Feb. 17, 2014

The upcoming Public Interest Environmental Conference will give attendees a chance to learn about legal issues facing the environment and modern agriculture.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Service sorority heading to Asheville

By Katherine Arellano | Feb. 17, 2014

Six members of UF’s Delta Nu Zeta service sorority chapter will be participate in Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge in Asheville, N.C., from March 3 to March 8.

METRO

Free food alert: Firehouse subs today

By Ashley Kobza | Feb. 17, 2014

Firehouse Subs is giving away free sandwiches today.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Alabama man circling a Gainesville Hardee’s arrested for cocaine

By Jenna Lyons | Feb. 17, 2014

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies arrested an Alabama man Monday morning after police said he was “tweaking” on drugs and driving in circles around a Hardee’s parking lot.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF students, Operation PetSnip to raise money for homeless pets

By Jessica Hundley | Feb. 17, 2014

A group of UF students has teamed up with Operation PetSnip of Gainesville to raise about $5,000 for homeless pets as a campaign for their sales management class.

Ovaryaction plays in front of Luna, the art installation on the corner of Southeast Second Avenue and Southeast First Street, Monday.

METRO

New downtown Gainesville sculpture ‘Luna’ keeps its eyes on passersby

By Andrea Sarcos | Feb. 17, 2014

Two fiddlers played music to the crowd of local artists and art enthusiasts Sunday evening during the unveiling of an art sculpture downtown.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Ellen Page’s coming out sparks debate

Feb. 17, 2014

The best Valentine’s Day surprise for some may have come in a small package in the shape of actress Ellen Page. The 26-year-old “tiny Canadian,” as she describes herself on Twitter, known for “Juno,” officially announced she’s gay at a Las Vegas event sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign on Friday.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Students Party, it’s time to wake up

Feb. 17, 2014

I was extremely surprised at Students Party minority leader Michael Christ for calling Taco Libre party “pathetic” and “insulting” in an article in the Alligator.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Vote yes on the Student Green Energy Fund

By Frank Plageman | Feb. 17, 2014

While students are looking over party platforms in the upcoming Student Government election, there is another issue that they need to be informed on prior to voting. I, along with other students, gathered enough signatures for a nonbinding referendum on green energy to be placed on this semester’s SG ballot.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SG elections open today

By Agassy Rodriguez | Feb. 17, 2014

Voting for Student Government elections begins today and will continue tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. This is the students’ chance to voice their opinions on what direction they want their Student Government to take and how they want to be represented on this campus.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Anti-intellectualism threatens the US

Feb. 17, 2014

The UF Student Senate has again proven to be poorly imitating the anti-democratic actions of the U.S. Congress. Is it a coincidence that just weeks after the Student Senate tried to pass its own oppressive resolution concerning Israel, the U.S. Congress is now attempting to do the same?

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF student leadership controlled by System

Feb. 17, 2014

March 14, 2000, was a historic day. Charles Grapski left the Alachua County Courthouse to grab a bagel only to come back to hear that the verdict was ready. When the jury gave its ruling, Grapski was in tears.

Scottie Wilbekin (5) drives against Tennessee guard Jordan McRae (52) in the first half of Florida’s 67-58 win on Feb. 11 in Knoxville, Tenn. Wilbekin was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Wilbekin wins league honor after stellar road outings

By LANDON WATNICK< | Feb. 17, 2014

During the past two weeks, Scottie Wilbekin has been everything the No. 2 Gators have needed him to be — and then some.

Elizabeth Beisel competes in the 200-yard butterfly during Florida’s match against Auburn on Jan. 25 in the O’Connell Center. Beisel is aiming for a three-event sweep at the Southeastern Conference Championships starting today.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators traveling to SEC Championships as one of top teams

By Logan McGuire | Feb. 17, 2014

The five-day Southeastern Conference Championships begin today as the nation’s top-ranked Gators men’s swimming and diving team (8-0, 5-0 SEC) and the No. 5 women’s team (5-3, 3-2 SEC) will each take on five of the top-25 teams in the country in Athens, Ga.

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