2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Our Endorsement: The amendments deserve your vote

Feb. 20, 2017

It has been a hectic two years in Student Government. Minority parties surface every few semesters, almost like clockwork, running on promises of being a voice for students outside of the majority party. Access Party was no exception. Despite being among the few minority parties to win the executive ticket, the fall of Access has come and gone, leaving only one executive ticket on today’s and Wednesday’s ballot: Impact Party.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Are student loans an investment or a burden?

Feb. 20, 2017

Growing up, I was taught to fear student debt — even when I didn’t truly understand what it was. This lesson didn’t really come from my parents, who worked full time to pay their way through school, but from the horror stories of twenty-something-year-olds haunted by six-figure debt that so often appeared in the news. As I’ve continued my education, these stories have appeared to increase in both frequency and urgency. I often manage to convince myself that this is probably due to my own hyperawareness, but it does seem as though the coverage surrounding the student-debt epidemic is at an all-time high.

UF's Ingrid Neel hits a backhand during Florida's 4-2 win against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Women's tennis fends off Stanford and Oklahoma State

By Spencer Thompson | Feb. 19, 2017

As Belinda Woolcock stared down her opponent, she slowly raised her arm to serve. With the deciding point against No. 5 Stanford on the line, a packed crowd at the Ring Tennis Complex held its breath.

UF guard Delicia Washington looks to pass during Florida's 84-75 loss to Ole Miss on Feb. 6, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators drop another conference game

By Dylan Dixon | Feb. 19, 2017

As Alyssa Rice ripped down an offensive board over a swarm of bodies and kicked it out to Makayla Epps on the perimeter, a look of despair spread across the faces of Florida’s bench.

UF swimmer Caeleb Dressel slaps hands with a teammate during Florida's 183-117 win against Tennessee on Jan. 28, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Men’s team captures fifth-straight SEC title; women’s team finish seventh

By Sean Denison | Feb. 19, 2017

With enough medals to fill a trophy case, Caeleb Dressel has grown accustomed to winning throughout his young swimming career.

UF's Alejandro Tosti stares at the ground during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Mark Bostic Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Arkansas sweeps Suntrust as Gators come up short at home

By Justin Ahlum | Feb. 19, 2017

Gordon Neale smashed his club into the mulch.

UF pitcher Aleshia Ocasio throws a pitch during Florida's 9-3 win against Northwestern State on Feb. 17, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators get watered-down win to close Aquafina Invitational

By Skyler Lebron | Feb. 19, 2017

One day removed from suffering its first loss of the 2017 season, the Florida softball team entered its Aquafina Invitational finale looking for a strong performance against Florida International.

Florida forward Kevarrius Hayes (13) dunks the ball over Texas A&M center Tyler Davis (34) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Ron Irby)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Without Egbunu, UF finding ‘different ways to win’

By Matt Brannon | Feb. 19, 2017

I.J. Ready went straight for Florida’s weakness.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, in Washington. The Cavaliers won 140-135 in overtime. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Earth is flat, obviously, you idiot

By Matt Brannon | Feb. 19, 2017

Kyrie Irving, NBA superstar, said he believes Earth is flat, and now everyone on God’s green disk is losing their minds.

UF outfielder Austin Langworthy connects with a pitch during Florida's 8-1 win over William & Mary on Feb. 18, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators rout William and Mary to complete sweep

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 19, 2017

Ryan Hall reacted immediately, sprinting toward the wall the moment the ball left Austin Langworthy’s bat.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

APD: Woman wakes up to strange man in bed

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 19, 2017

An Alachua man broke into a home through a window Sunday and was found by the homeowner while he was laying in her bed, Alachua Police said.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Family, friends honor former UF band director

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 19, 2017

Gary Langford’s trumpet communicated grief for a fallen friend Saturday.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Smith Meyers, Student Body presidential candidate

By Paige Fry | Feb. 19, 2017

Smith Meyers knew he wanted to run for UF’s Student Body president after a childhood friend slipped into depression in Spring 2016.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

After dispute, UF student pepper-sprayed roommates

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 19, 2017

Editor's note: Fuentes' charges were dismissed on April 5, according to Alachua County Court records.

A hot air balloon flew over Flavet Field on Friday. The balloon was brought by UF’s Bateman team, a group of public relations students, to kick off their monthlong campaign advocating for mental-health awareness.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Above UF’s campus, a hot air balloon advocated for mental-health awareness

By Michael Smith | Feb. 19, 2017

As students craned their necks to gaze at the red, blue and yellow hot air balloon flying over Flavet Field on Friday, they were encouraged to think about what lifts them up.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Brothers burglarize at least 39 cars, police say

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 19, 2017

Two brothers were arrested Friday in connection to 39 car burglaries in Haile Plantation and Blues Creek, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and Gainesville Police said.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Mario Agosto, Student Body vice presidential candidate

By Paige Fry | Feb. 19, 2017

As a first-generation student, Mario Agosto has always felt the pressure to succeed.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Revel Lubin, Student Body treasurer candidate

By Paige Fry | Feb. 19, 2017

Revel Lubin has worn a black “I am second” bracelet every day since his junior year of high school, a symbol of his dedication to God.

Photo of P.F. Chang's that recently opened in Texas.

METRO

P.F. Chang’s among new restaurants at Butler Town Center

By Marsan | Feb. 19, 2017

A P.F. Chang’s China Bistro will be among the new restaurants added to Butler Town Center in the fall of 2018.

Attendees of the Engineering Festival crowd around a display area in the rain on Saturday. The group watched robots go head to head in what some called "combat robotics."

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF’s Engineer’ Week continues

By Taylor Wilson | Feb. 19, 2017

The annual UF Engineers’ Week will continue this week to encourage students to learn about UF’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.

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