2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

As stereotypical as a trip to Cancun in college sounds, it's still a great Spring Break locale.

NEWS

Spring Break trip ideas

By Sarah Kinonen | Feb. 6, 2012

Instead of planning for a weekend getaway at the slopes, it's time to start looking for great Spring Break deals — it's less than a month away!

Local comedy troupe the Delta Group performs at the Gainesville Improv Festival on Thursday night.

METRO

Local, national improv groups perform, learn at annual festival

By Webb | Feb. 5, 2012

Madison Kirby's hands were full. Her son was hanging out with the wrong crowd, shooting heroin and heading down the same path as her lowlife ex-husband.

Members of the Gainesville Chinese School perform the Chinese yo-yo Saturday evening at the Chinese American Student Association's Chinese New Year show, "Awaken the Dragon."

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students celebrate Chinese New Year

By Matt Boles | Feb. 5, 2012

Some UF students celebrated the New Year last month with tipsy kisses and champagne, but a group in the Reitz Union rang it in with a lion dance and kung fu this weekend.

Melissa Clarke, an 18-year-old health science freshman, writes down websites that will help her prepare for an interview at the 10th Annual Black Student Leadership Conference on Saturday afternoon.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Conference encourages giving back

By Sarah Loftus | Feb. 5, 2012

During the first weekend of Black History Month, UF students gathered Saturday at Ustler Hall for a leadership conference.

Marietta, Ga. - Jessika and Jefferson Carmo, 17 and 13, whose father died in the Interstate 75 wrecks, stand with Joilson Lima, 34, a survivor of the wrecks, and Fabio Souza, 41, the current caretaker of 15-year-old Lidiane Carmo during a Sunday afternoon service at the International Church of the Restoration. Lidiane is still at Shands at UF in the company of Souza's wife.

METRO

A season to cry: A community mourns loss of family

By Meredith Rutland | Feb. 5, 2012

A week ago Sunday, the 120-member Brazilian church lost five cherished members in an Interstate 75 crash in Gainesville.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Freedom of Debate: High school paper right to discuss gay rights

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Feb. 5, 2012

The issue of gay rights can rarely be debated without stirring up some controversy — especially if religion gets tossed into the mix.

METRO

Innovation Hub hosts ‘hackathon' to find local talent

By Benjamin S. Brasch | Feb. 5, 2012

Businesses in Gainesville are finding creative ways to keep talented computer programming students in town.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF needs better investment strategy

By Travis Hornsby | Feb. 5, 2012

Is there anything UF could do to raise funds for higher education in Florida during this tough-budget environment?

NEWS

Givenchy, Jason Wu and other fashion labels find looks from iconic movie heroines

By Natalia Sieukaran | Feb. 5, 2012

Fashion finds muses in everything from the ordinary streetwalker to the famous Hollywood beauty. Fictional movie characters are definitely not left out of that equation.

NEWS | ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Run raises money for Shands Cancer Center

By David Williams | Feb. 5, 2012

Steve Halsell joked around with a friend as he stretched his legs, only shifting his gaze when a small, brown dog trotted by. In the face of the 6.2 miles that lay before him, he was calm.

Florida junior guard Kenny Boynton scored a team-high 18 points in Saturday's 73-65 win against Vanderbilt at the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Boynton back to mid-season form

By JOHN BOOTHE | Feb. 5, 2012

Kenny Boynton has not always been comfortable with clearing his mind and closing tight games for the Gators.

NEWS | ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Norwegian lecturer talks women's empowerment

By Kelsey Grentzer | Feb. 5, 2012

In Ethiopia, a woman's word is accepted as truth.

Queen Eleanor, played by Stephanie Tyson, 30, and King Henry II, played by Tom Dalton, 43, march through the 26th annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire on their way to perform in a live-action chess game.

METRO

King and queen of medieval fair revel in regal roles

By Benjamin S. Brasch | Feb. 5, 2012

Tom and Stephanie walk through a door with peeling brown paint and leave behind the ordinary.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Academic warfare: Get creative with class assignments

By Chip Skambis | Feb. 5, 2012

Two things I wish I'd known before coming to college: 1) Professors of liberal arts rarely provide worthwhile readings, and 2) The risk of clogging a friend's toilet is never worth taking.

NEWS

Positive psychology: the psychology of happiness

By Christa Tarantino | Feb. 5, 2012

The one thing that every human being shares is the pursuit of happiness.

Florida junior shortstop Nolan Fontana said he is working to be a mentor for younger players like freshman Casey Turgeon as the Gators search for a new second baseman.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Fontana adjusting to life without Adams at second base

Feb. 5, 2012

Nolan Fontana remembers being a freshman and searching for advice.

Florida point guard Lanita Bartley led the Gators with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a 84-55 win against Ole Miss on Sunday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Bartley leads Florida women's basketball to blowout home win over Ole Miss

By JOE MORGAN | Feb. 5, 2012

Lanita Bartley was the best player on the court in Florida's tilt against Ole Miss.

Sophomore gymnast Mackenzie Caquatto won her second straight bars title last Friday with a 9.9.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Caquatto wins second straight on bars for UF gymnastics

By LANDON WATNICK< | Feb. 5, 2012

When Mackenzie Caquatto gracefully swung from the uneven bars and then nailed her dismount last Friday, her ankles looked great.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

UF lacrosse's Bruns, Rhea involved in scooter accident near campus Friday

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Feb. 5, 2012

Two UF lacrosse players were involved in a scooter accident Friday afternoon.

SPORTS | SPORTS MULTIMEDIA SPORTSCAST

alligatorSports Video Show 2-5-12

Feb. 4, 2012

Season 2, Episode 1: The Video Show makes its triumphant return, bringing you coverage from Florida's 73-65 win against Vanderbilt and National Signing Day, with a sprinkling of baseball to whet your appetite before the season gets underway shortly.

COVID-19