2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Matt Raulerson, 20, a forest resources and conservation junior, walks on a path through the McCarty Woods Conservation Area on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. Raulerson expressed disappointment at the news that the conservation area has been approved as a possible future site for construction. "It's horrible," he said. "It would take away all the beauty of it. It's something I pass everyday I walk to class and it's something I love looking at."

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF students and faculty oppose proposal to build on the McCarty Woods conservation area

By Abigail Hasebroock | Feb. 5, 2021

In December, UF Board of Trustees approved a 2020-30 Campus Master Plan that marked 2 of the 2.9 acres of the McCarty Woods as a future construction site for research buildings. The decision has been met with opposition from UF students, faculty and staff who have banded together to prevent the implementation of the proposal.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Former UF professor indicted for scheme to defraud the National Institutes of Health and UF

By Anna Wilder and Juliana Ferrie | Feb. 5, 2021

Lin Yang, a former researcher and associate professor in UF’s biomedical engineering department, was charged with six counts of wire fraud, or internet fraud, and four counts of making false statements to a U.S. agency, according to the Department of Justice.

Pictured is the Santa Fe College clock tower.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College COVID-19 update: 37 students and employees tested positive last week

By Juliana Ferrie | Feb. 5, 2021

Santa Fe’s total reported positive cases since March is now 643.

Nashville’s Parrotfish, shown here performing at The Rock Showcase at Belmont University, is known for their rock-centric sound and energetic live performances.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Parrotfish to make High Dive debut Thursday alongside Kevin Masaro

By Heather Bushman | Feb. 4, 2021

The Nashville group will perform its first show in Gainesville at the venue.

Graphic of David Dobrik, Cody Ko and Noel Miller

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Cody Ko, Noel Miller and David Dobrik distract students with humor

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 4, 2021

Accent Speakers Bureau hosted the trio in a free event to UF students and faculty over Zoom. During the show, they spoke about their experience with YouTube and what is to come in their futures.

Porter (pictured above) leaps off the starting block during a home meet against North Florida Jan. 3.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Cecilia Porter pulls in phenomenal first season

By Faith Buckley | Feb. 4, 2021

Porter won the SEC Freshman of the Week honor Jan. 26 for the second time this season after winning in November.

The Roller Rebels pose for a team picture.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Gainesville Roller Rebels stay afloat amid pandemic

By Zachary Huber | Feb. 4, 2021

When the Roller Rebels’ first bout in March was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team struggled to replace the void left behind and overcome the challenges the pandemic presented.

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF, the prison-industrial complex, and you: Boycott today, but what else can you do?

Feb. 4, 2021

The demands being made in the recent Reitz boycott may be new to many current students, but they have deep histories within two interrelated struggles on UF’s campus: one towards food justice and the other away from the prison-industrial complex at UF.

The mural took Ernesto Maranje about one week to complete.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Muralist Ernesto Maranje brings a touch of Gainesville history to Northside Park

By Kristin Bausch | Feb. 4, 2021

Maranje finished the mural, which was inspired by local wildlife, Jan. 30.

Rachel Evans holds pet rabbit Tiny and the book she co-authored with her son, Cameron Alvarado, about their journey with the pet.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Unruly pet becomes main character of “The Naughty Bunny” from mother and son author duo

By Valeriya Antonshchuk | Feb. 4, 2021

The Gainesville family's children's book is about tolerance and understanding.

Noah Locke scored 15 points in a losing effort Wednesday evening

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Late-game collapse sees Florida loss to South Carolina

By Declan Walsh | Feb. 4, 2021

South Carolina finished Saturday’s game on a 13-1 run, earning an upset victory over the No. 22 Gators.

Marlee Zein will compete in doubles with Layne Sleeth.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators look for road redemption against Seminoles

By Jesse Richardson | Feb. 3, 2021

No. 21 Florida will battle their second top-25 ranked opponent in a row after a loss to UCF.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Union and Change Parties merge into one

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 3, 2021

With the merging of the two minority parties on the last day of slating, there will be two candidates running for each executive position. Both Gator and Change announced their executive ticket candidates in the last week.

Photo of Santa Fe College commencement from Fall 2019 [Courtesy of Matt Stamey]

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College to hold virtual Spring graduation

By Juliana Ferrie | Feb. 3, 2021

The ceremonies are scheduled for April 29-30 on a website created specifically for the graduation, according to Santa Fe’s website.

COVID 19 | UF

COVID-19 Update: 362 UF students test positive for COVID-19 in last week

By Manny Rea | Feb. 3, 2021

UF reported 362 COVID-19 positive cases among students in the last week on Tuesday, according to UF's testing dashboard. Now, the total positive student cases for Spring is 854.

COVID 19 | ALACHUA COUNTY

More than 700 Alachua County Public School students and staff in quarantine

By Daniella Sevares | Feb. 3, 2021

There are 60 active COVID-19 student cases and 15 active staff cases as of Tuesday night.

Florida will take on Stetson in DeLand, Florida, Saturday for the first time since 2014

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse ranks seventh, eight in preseason polls

By Karina Wilson | Feb. 2, 2021

Florida is the only AAC team to rank on both Inside Lacrosse’s and Nike’s preseason polls.

Fans paid tribute after the news of SOPHIE’s passing through an outpouring of art. | Courtesy to the Alligator by @ktschy on Twitter

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Late singer SOPHIE changed the course of pop music forever

By Heather Bushman | Feb. 2, 2021

Remembering SOPHIE's immeasurable contributions to pop music after the artist's sudden death Jan. 30.

Screenshot of the "A Night of YouTube" Accent speaker event on Facebook`

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF will pay $120,000 to host Cody Ko, Noel Miller and David Dobrik to speak virtually

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 2, 2021

UF Accent Speakers Bureau will pay Youtube celebrities Cody Ko, Noel Miller and David Dobrik $120,000 total in student fees to speak virtually on Wednesday, according to event contracts.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Change Party announces its executive ticket

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 1, 2021

Change is the second party to announce its candidates, following Gator Party's announcement on Wednesday. Union Party’s plans are still unclear.