COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

President Trump right to end DACA

Sep. 5, 2017

Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced his decision to end DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the controversial Obama-era executive order that allowed illegal immigrants who were brought here as children to remain in the U.S. and receive work permits. The fact is, DACA was the epitome of our nation’s foolish immigration policies, and President Trump was right to put a stop to it.

Opinion

Time management is a skill college students need

Sep. 5, 2017

It’s not uncommon to feel like you have a million things to do but not enough hours in the day to get them done.

Metro

Uncertainty of DACA creates fear, anxiety among undocumented students

By Romy Ellenbogen | Sep. 4, 2017

The day Giancarlo Tejeda learned he would receive DACA, his mother wept.

UF coach Mary Wise calls out instructions during Florida's 3-0 win against Auburn on Oct. 11, 2015, in the O'Connell Center. On Friday, Wise earned her 800th win as the coach of the Gators.

Sports

Defense propelling Gators volleyball team to 4-0 start

By Justin Ahlum | Sep. 4, 2017

It was a clean sweep for the Gators as they visited Puerto Rico to take part in the SEC-ACC Challenge. Over the weekend, Florida easily took down its two opponents, unranked N.C. State and then-No. 16 North Carolina, in sweeping fashion, as the team did not lose a single set in its two matches.

Luke Del Rio stands on the sideline during Florida's loss to Tennessee on Sept. 24.

Sports

Column: The fight against white nationalism needs you, Gators athletes

By Skyler Lebron | Sep. 4, 2017

Around 55 percent, give or take.

Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks is looking at the sideline for the next play during UF's 33-17 loss to Michigan on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Sports

Notebook: Nussmeier will keep calling plays; QB Franks to start in Week 2; WR Robinson returns from suspension

By Matt Brannon | Sep. 4, 2017

After the Gators lost to Michigan, 33-17, in their season opener, Florida sits 122nd out of 126 teams in total offense, moving the ball only 192 yards against the Wolverines.

The Florida football team runs out onto the field during UF's 33-17 loss to Michigan on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Sports

After Michigan loss, new season begins for Gators on Saturday

By Ethan Bauer | Sep. 4, 2017

This is more like it.

Elin Esborn finished in fifth place in the Ocean Course Invitational after shooting 2 under par in the tournament.

Sports

Second-round surge puts Esborn, Gators in striking range at Ocean Course Invitational

By Tyler Nettuno | Sep. 4, 2017

The Gators women’s golf team began its season Monday morning at the beautiful Ocean Course Invitational in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. However, after one round of action, the leaderboard for Florida was anything but beautiful.

News

General counsel letter said UF didn’t intend to 'permanently bar' Richard Spencer

By Jimena Tavel | Sep. 4, 2017

A letter from UF’s general counsel said avowed white nationalist Richard Spencer will be allowed to reschedule his speech at UF.

Metro

GPD: Parents arrested after leaving child in hot car

By Catie Wegman | Sep. 4, 2017

A couple was arrested Friday morning for leaving their 11-month-old child in the back seat of a car, Gainesville Police said.

News

Blood donation competition to start on campus

By Jake Dreilinger | Sep. 4, 2017

Jordana Reyes bled orange and blue at the Fall blood drive.

News

Make a change in SG by getting involved

Sep. 4, 2017

Tuesday is the last day to interview to run for Student Senate. Many of you may shrug when you read this, thinking, “What does this have to do with me?”

Metro

Gator fans paint helmets

By Lizzie Vasquez | Sep. 4, 2017

During the fierce, Dallas stadium-packed football game between the Gators and the Wolverines on Saturday, some UF fans opted to spend the day painting ceramic helmets.

Gainesville firefighters Josh Rodgers (left), Adam Whitehead (middle) and Terry McCarthy (right) stand with their cash-stuffed boots outside of Publix, located at 1302 N Main St. The Fill the Boot campaign raised $22,333.44 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which works to find a cure for muscular dystrophy, a disease that causes progressive muscle weakness.

Metro

GFR raises more than $22,000 for muscular dystrophy

By Jessica Giles | Sep. 4, 2017

Gainesville firefighters took off their boots this weekend to fill them with more than $21,000 in cash.

Metro

I wouldn’t be here without DACA. Now, my future is being taken from me

Sep. 4, 2017

I studied and worked hard all my life toward a goal that felt more like a dream because when you are undocumented, going to college is practically impossible. (Yes, I am an undocumented student at UF; I am real.) Despite that fact, I continued to push to be at the top of my class, continued to work toward my dream because I was determined to make it a reality. In 2012, former President Barack Obama changed my life and solidified my plans to go to college with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. At the beginning of my senior year, I was ready to begin my scholarship search and college application, but I was not aware that it would be different from my other peers. I went from person to person with questions on how to answer parts of applications, but no one understood my situation and exposing my status as an undocumented student was risky for my family and me. I filled out a Bright Futures application and went to meetings about FAFSA only to find out that I was ineligible for both. Although people did not understand my situation, I never lost the hope that Obama gave me with the implementation of DACA, and I finally received scholarships from my high school’s foundation that now help me pay for tuition, an opportunity that most are not fortunate enough to receive. In May, I graduated third in my class with a high school and associate's degree on my way to higher education ready to create a better future for myself and the world.

UF midfielder Gabby Seiler dribbles down the field during Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

No. 2 Gators bounce back to defeat Portland

By Mark Stine | Sep. 3, 2017

UF defender Gabby Seiler made a darting run into the Portland box.

From left: Alex Holston, Shainah Joseph and Rhamat Alhassan wait for play to resume during Florida's 3-0 win over Mississippi State on Oct. 21, 2016, at the Lemerand Center.

Sports

Gators sweep Tar Heels, improve to 4-0

By Andrew Huang | Sep. 3, 2017

This season might be different.

Metro

‘Not one tear’: Sweet Mel’s closes

By David Hoffman | Sep. 2, 2017

Sweet Mel’s was more than just a restaurant for Charles Gustine.

UF outside hitter Carli Snyder passes a ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Texas A&M on Oct. 9, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Gators defeat Wolfpack on first night of SEC-ACC Challenge

By Justin Ahlum | Sep. 2, 2017

It was a dominant night for the Gators as they handily swept NC State 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-22).

UF's defensive line waits for the snap in Florida's 33-17 loss to Michigan on Saturday in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Sports

Column: Gators fans: Get ready for a tough season

By Ethan Bauer | Sep. 2, 2017

I wanted to believe the hype. I wanted to believe Jim McElwain when he said Florida’s offensive line would be much improved in 2017. I wanted to believe the Gators had the pieces for a successful, potent offense that could put up points, yards and wins. I wanted to believe the defense could pick up what NFL draftees Jarrad Davis, Alex Anzalone, Quincy Wilson, Teez Tabor and Marcus Maye left behind.