2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Keeping students committed: UF admissions to focus on retaining admitted students

By Eve Thompson | July 26, 2021

UF’s melt rate, the rate of students who rescind their commitment to the college, is 2-3%, according to Tammy Aagard, associate vice president for enrollment management — a number significantly lower than the national average of 10-20%. Aagard also said UF’s melt rate has been similarly low in previous years.

Few students are seen wandering around UF’s campus on August 31, 2020, in Gainesville Fla., due to the social distancing guidelines and mask requirements set in place. However, the Campus Connector and RTS buses still operate with frequent trips across campus.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF welcomes first Ph.D. plant breeding program, first in Florida

By Isabella Douglas | July 26, 2021

UF will welcome its first class of Ph.D. plant breeding students Fall. The new program is one of six in the country and the only one in Florida.

METRO | BUSINESS

Gainesville-born hair professional is returning to teach classes

By Lucille Lannigan | July 26, 2021

Tabreshia Bloodworth, owner of Healthy Hair Tresses, will host a $250 class on Aug. 1 at Hairport Salon and Barber Suites. She also developed her own silk press system, which uses six products to maintain healthy and shiny hair after receiving a silk press, a process that straightens hair with a flat iron.

United States men's 4x100m freestyle relay team of Bowen Beck, Blake Pieroni, and Caeleb Dressel react after winning the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Caeleb Dressel leads USA to another gold medal

By Karina Wilson | July 25, 2021

UF alumnus Caeleb Dressel swam to victory in Tokyo in the men’s 4x100 meter freestyle relay Sunday, earning the United States its 12th medal.

ABOUT US

Staff applications are now open! Join our Fall team

July 25, 2021

Are you interested in growing your career in media and communications? Are you ready to join a network of alumni at organizations like the New York Times, Washington Post, Axios and Wall Street Journal? The Independent Florida Alligator is looking for its next team of reporters, editors, photographers and more for the Fall semester.

Natalie Hinds, bottom, of the United States is congratulated by teammates after swimming the fourth leg during a preliminary round of the women's 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Hinds lands bronze in relay, Gators get second medal of night

By Ryan Haley | July 24, 2021

Natalie Hinds served as the third leg of the US 4x100-meter freestyle relay and helped the States win bronze, her first Olympic medal.

Kieran Smith, a senior who took home a bronze medal in the 400-meter freestyle at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finished first in the 200-meter freestyle (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Kieran Smith takes home bronze medal

By Ryan Haley | July 24, 2021

Florida swimming powerhouse Kieran Smith got his hands on his first Olympic medal Saturday night with a 3:43.94 performance in the 400-meter freestyle, good enough for the third stand on the podium.

Former longtime Florida head coach Becki Burleigh is expected to take a coaching job with the NWSL's Orlando Pride in her first work beyond the Florida Gators.

SPORTS | SOCCER

She’s back: Becky Burleigh out of retirement and into Orlando

By Jesse Richardson | July 23, 2021

Former Florida Gators head coach Becky Burleigh will reportedly unretire to become Orlando Pride interim coach.

Florida golfer Tyler Wilkes walks down a fairway at Mark Bostick Golf Club. The Florida men's golf team released its 2021-22 schedule Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men’s golf team announces 2021-22 schedule

By Joseph Henry | July 23, 2021

Florida men’s golf’s 2021-22 schedule features four fall and five spring events before postseason play in the heat of the summer.

Caeleb Dressel participates in the men's 50 freestyle during wave 2 of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha, Neb on June 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida swim takes the Olympic stage

By Faith Buckley | July 23, 2021

Eight Gators of the present and the past take to the pool in Tokyo with swimming competitions beginning July 24. @_faithbuckley laid out when the champions of UF swim are competing in this year’s Games.

Gainesville Place Apartments, a student housing center, sits on Southwest 35th Place on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Public masturbation and lack of communication leaves tenants of Gainesville Place worried for their safety

By Sam Schaffer | July 23, 2021

There have been more than 60 reports of crimes ranging from suspicious incidents to burglary and assault at the Gainesville Place apartments at 2800 SW 35th Pl. in the last two years, according to Gainesville Police Department records.

Grog, a bar in midtown Gainesville, closed after a city inspection uncovered structural defects in the building. “The city under code enforcement has shut down Grog House 1718 W University Ave.,” Gainesville City Commissioner David Arreola tweeted Wednesday. “The floor is unstable and could collapse into Balls downstairs.”

METRO | BUSINESS

Grog House deemed unsafe after inspection

By Alexander Lugo | July 23, 2021

The city of Gainesville shut down Grog House indefinitely after it was deemed structurally unstable, and the decision incited a slew of responses from students online.

University of Florida Disability Resource Center located at Reid Hall on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. The DRC provides services to students with physical, learning, sensory or psychological disabilities.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

July amplifies the voices of the disabled community

By Jasper Wittig | July 23, 2021

July brings the disabled community together to reflect on common experiences and celebrate differences as the month commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.

Ciera Garrison, a 23-year-old fourth-year sociology major at UF, was a guest speaker at the virtual "Reframe and Reclaim" event Wednesday. She read her piece "Unchained" at the event, which represents the art of being free from “past trauma,” “toxic exposure” and “mental bondage."

ENTERPRISE | HEALTH

Black women share their experiences through virtual Reframe and Reclaim event

By Bryce Brown | July 22, 2021

The University of Florida Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC) hosted the event for Black women to share their experiences through selections of their own prose and poetry on Zoom.

Quincy Allen-Flint performs an acoustic set at the High Dive, located at 210 SW 2nd Ave., during the Original Gainesville Food Truck Rally on June 5, 2021.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Commemorating a decade of the Dive

By Heather Bushman | July 22, 2021

High Dive hits a decade month, marking 10 years of highlighting local music, hosting national acts and giving back to the Gainesville community. The venue, a Gainesville staple, has hosted some of the area’s breakout stars and the nation’s biggest names throughout its run.

COVID 19 | UF

COVID-19 Update: UF hits highest positivity rate since April, Shands hospitalizations increase by 400%

By Alexandra Harris | July 21, 2021

The number of COVID-19 patients soared from 14 to 70 patients, and over 10% of the patients are on ventilators. Despite the common belief that the virus is more impactful among the elderly population, the recent COVID-19 patients coming into Shands are younger.

Workers lift up the first solar panel installed on the rooftops of Oak Hammock at the University of Florida on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.

METRO

Retirement community installs first solar panels in shift toward sustainability

By Phong Huynh | July 21, 2021

Oak Hammock Retirement Community will become the first continuing care retirement community in Florida to shift toward sustainable energy. Its first solar panel was installed in front of residents and project managers Tuesday morning.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Open container ordinance upheld after spirited debate

By Alexander Lugo | July 21, 2021

Restrictions on the Gainesville Police Department’s ability to enforce open container laws on city property gets further approval from most city commissioners

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College COVID-19 update: Seven positive cases were reported last week

By Antonia LaRocca | July 21, 2021

Santa Fe College reported seven positive COVID-19 cases between July 13 and Monday, and two positive cases may have been on-site while positive. The college’s total number of reported positive cases is now 780.

Florida head coach Dan Mullen speaks to reporters during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days Monday, July 19, 2021, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Dan Mullen believes 12-team playoff expansion destined to happen

By Jesse Richardson | July 20, 2021

Head coach Dan Mullen said at SEC Media Day that the college football playoffs “will end up getting to an expansion.”