COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF halts non-academic Living Learning Communities, affecting underrepresented student spaces.

El Caimán

La Universidad de la Florida suspende las Comunidades de Aprendizaje Vivenciales sin enfoque académico en el alojamiento estudiantil

By Pristine Thai and Gabriella Chavez | Feb. 25, 2025

La UF suspendió indefinidamente todas las actividades en seis Comunidades de Aprendizaje Vivenciales sin enfoques académicos el 17 de febrero, justo días después de que la Oficina de Derechos Civiles de la administración de Trump prohibiera la consideración de la raza en cualquier decisión tomada por las instituciones académicas a nivel nacional.

Withheld Aid, Withheld Education: Santa Fe Students Struggle as Financial Aid Delays Force Unenrollment

University

Santa Fe College students experience financial aid delays, again

By Shaine Davison | Feb. 25, 2025

Santa Fe College has yet to disburse more than one-third of its financial aid for the Spring semester, leaving some students in economic limbo and others still waiting on their aid from last Fall.

Florida sophomore Nate Bonetto (left) and freshman Tanapatt Nirundorn (right) compete in their doubles match during the Gators' 6-1 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks Friday, March 24, 2023.

Sports

Florida men’s tennis upsets No. 19 No. 19 Alabama in hours-long bout

By Curan Ahern | Feb. 24, 2025

On a dreary day in Gainesville, Florida’s clash with No. 19 Alabama was moved to the Perry Indoor Tennis Facility — but that didn’t deter any of the excitement that was yet to come.

The dancers of the Sun Country Dance Theatre pose with artistic director Judy Benton on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.

The Avenue

Local nonprofit dance group hosts 17th annual spring recital

By Rachel Mish | Feb. 24, 2025

The Sun Country Dance Theatre performed "Hansel and Gretel" at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Sunday.

Jake Mitchell the vocalist of Little Jake and the Soul Searchers on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

The Avenue

Gainesville’s Black community, soul music and how it made history

By Autumn Johnstone | Feb. 24, 2025

Growing up in Tampa, Mitchell won talent shows left and right, but in 1957, he recorded his first record on the same original tape as rock ‘n’ roll legend Chuck Berry. It was shortly after in 1961 when he led his then-band the Fabulous Blenders to be the first Black performers at UF’s Gator Growl in front of 60,000 people.

Teachers and community raise the alarm as ACPS opens school doors for ICE- policy shift sparks privacy and safety concerns.

Metro

Alachua County School Board releases ICE memo, sparking community concern

By Sara-James Ranta | Feb. 24, 2025

Alachua County Public Schools issued a memo Feb. 10 outlining strict protocols for U.S. ICE officers, granting them “broad authority” to interview and remove students in schools without a warrant.

University

UF pauses non-academic Living Learning Communities in campus housing

By Pristine Thai | Feb. 24, 2025

UF indefinitely paused all activities in six non-academic Living Learning Communities Feb. 17, just days after the Trump administration’s Office for Civil Rights banned the consideration of race in any decisions made by academic institutions nationwide.

A rotting orange hangs from a branch at the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Research Grove on Feb. 23, 2025.

Enterprise

Your favorite foods are more expensive than ever

By Natalie Kaufman | Feb. 24, 2025

Supply chain issues have recently disrupted the global food system. Traditional breakfast fare like eggs, orange juice, coffee — and even the sweet morsels in chocolate chip pancakes — were not spared.

Florida infielder Colby Shelton (10) celebrates with infielder Cade Kurland (4) and infielder/outfielder Bobby Boser (6) after a home run as the Florida Gators face the Dayton Flyers on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Luke Heyman and Colby Shelton hope to spark Florida title run after bypassing professional offers

By Hugh Green | Feb. 24, 2025

Luke Heyman and Colby Shelton decided to come back to Florida for their junior years, hoping to bring a title back to Gainesville.

UF Women's Tennis player Talia Neilson-Gatenby returns the ball during the Florida Invitational on Jan. 11, 2025. (Credit: Kade Sowers)

Sports

Rachel Gailis and Alicia Dudeney’s strong performances not enough in Florida women’s tennis loss to No. 4 Auburn

By Jeffrey Serber | Feb. 23, 2025

With the Gators down 2-0, junior Rachel Gailis came back to secure a major upset over Auburn junior and national No. 2 DJ Bennett. Senior Alicia Dudeney followed suit by winning her singles match, providing a positive light to Florida’s tough defeat.

Sports

Lady Vols’ second-half comeback shatters Florida’s hopes of first ranked win

By Amanda Roman | Feb. 23, 2025

Tennessee squandered Florida’s nine-point halftime lead, scoring 37 points in the third quarter to secure a comeback victory 86-78 at the O’Dome.

Florida Gators infielder Cade Kurland (4) sprints to first base in a baseball game against the Air Force Academy in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 15, 2025.

News

Cade Kurland provides a jolt off the bench as Florida completes the sweep of Dayton

By Hugh Green | Feb. 23, 2025

After starting the first six games of the season for Florida, junior second baseman Cade Kurland came off the bench on Sunday and did not disappoint. He blasted two two-run homers over the left-field wall in three at-bats. The second of which ended the game in walk-off fashion as the Gators mercy-ruled Dayton for the third day in a row.

Freshman Conor Gesing dives in the Gators meet against Florida State, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Sports

Florida men’s and women’s swim & dive win silver at SEC Championship

By Isabella Sanin | Feb. 23, 2025

After a thrilling six-day journey to reclaim gold, Florida finished runner-up to conference newcomer Texas at the SEC Swimming and Diving Championship.

Florida Gators outfielder Kendra Falby (27) throws the ball in a softball game against Providence in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

Sports

UF snatches two wins in the canyon in the Sun Devil Classic

By Jackson Colding | Feb. 22, 2025

Saturday proved to be another day where a native Arizonian had a big performance in her home state. After practicing at her high school on Thursday, Jocelyn Erickson showed up in a big way at the plate.

Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) screams at the Oklahoma bench after a dunk in a basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

News

No. 2 Gators survive road scare behind career day from Rueben Chinyelu

By Max Tucker | Feb. 22, 2025

After being on upset watch heading into halftime, the No. 2 Florida Gators men’s basketball team used a ferocious second-half effort to notch its sixth straight win, beating the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge on Saturday.

Florida Gators outfielder Hayden Yost (16) hits the ball in a baseball game against the Air Force Academy in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 15, 2025.

Sports

Brendan Lawson goes deep for the first time as Florida grounds the Flyers

By Hugh Green | Feb. 22, 2025

Brendan Lawson blasted his first career homer — a grand slam — as Florida secured a series victory over Dayton.

Jeremy Jin hits a backhand shot in the Gators men's tennis team's match against the Citadel on Friday, January 19, 2024.

Sports

Florida men’s tennis stuns first conference opponent, sweeps Auburn 7-0

By Curan Ahern | Feb. 22, 2025

The closer the day crept to noon, the more the anticipation seemed to build. The talent was undeniable, and the stakes seemed the highest they’ve been this season as two of the SEC’s most prestigious tennis programs looked to notch its first conference win.

Junior Sloane Blakely performs on the uneven bars in the Gators gymnastics' Hype Night on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023.

Sports

Sloane Blakely, Anya Pilgrim injured in No. 5 Florida gymnastics loss against No. 1 Oklahoma

By Liana Handler | Feb. 22, 2025

The No. 5 Florida Gators gymnastics team was defeated by No. 1 Oklahoma 198.075 - 196.625 Friday evening in Norman, Oklahoma.

Florida Gators pitcher Liam Peterson (12) celebrates after shutting down a batter to close an inning in a baseball game against the Air Force Academy in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

Sports

Florida tallies season-high 13 runs, dismantles Dayton in weekend series opener

By Jack Meyer | Feb. 21, 2025

The Florida Gators notched their fourth double-digit run tally in just five games this season en route to a dominant series-opening win over Dayton on Friday night.

Florida Gators infielder Rylee Holtorf (4) hits the ball in a softball game against the Jacksonville Dolphins in Gainesville, Fla., on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025.

Sports

Florida softball sweeps day one of the Sun Devil Classic

By Jackson Colding | Feb. 21, 2025

Florida softball bounced back from a blowout loss to Duke on Sunday with back-to-back big wins to open the Sun Devil Classic.