News | Campus Student Government - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF student senators split on Marston Library 24/7 announcement

By Amanda Friedman | Jan. 18, 2023

Jan. 17 Senate meeting addressed an amendment that would remove gendered language from the Constitution, a resolution to recognize and promote the Spread Cream Cheese Not Hate Campaign event combatting antisemitism and a revision to the 300 Codes, which outline the rules of the legislative branch, to change Town Hall events from open to moderated forums, all passed without debate.

From left to right, Sarah Toomey, Carina Swenson, Madison Hendrikse and Kyle Hopwood gather around a table at Marston Science Library to study Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Marston Science Library is back at 24/7 hours

By Amanda Friedman and Alissa Gary | Jan. 17, 2023

While the library used to operate on a 24-hour schedule, the COVID-19 pandemic paused those hours indefinitely, leaving many students wondering whether they would return. Newell Hall has been the only 24-hour study space for students since Fall 2021.

Fine Arts Senator of the Change Caucus Cassie Urbenz asks a question during the UF Student Senate Q&A session about student organizational funding Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student organizations’ leaders criticize funding model

By Amanda Friedman | Jan. 13, 2023

The Ad Hoc Committee was formed to provide a platform for representatives of student organizations to express their concerns and ask committee members about the funding process.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Cabinet for non-traditional students recaps Fall initiatives at first Spring meeting

By Amanda Friedman | Jan. 11, 2023

The meeting recapped the work of the Transition Cabinet, which aids non-traditional students in their transition to UF, and announced an upcoming forum of the Student Funding Ad Hoc Committee, which will address funding concerns.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Change Caucus resubmits controversial online voting bill

By Amanda Friedman | Jan. 10, 2023

The Online Voting Constitutional Amendment, authored by Sen. Oscar Santiago Perez (Change-District D) and Sen. Jonathan C. Stephens (Change-District D), would provide all UF students with a secure, online and remote voting option for SG elections. If passed in the Senate, the amendment would be on the Spring election ballot for students to vote on.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Government closes out Fall semester

By Alissa Gary | Dec. 5, 2022

The Fall semester in Student Government — marked with budget controversies and calls for impeachment of the student body president — has set the stage for a contentious spring election for both Gator and Change parties.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Senate stalls online voting amendment, passes Club Q shooting resolution

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 30, 2022

The major bill in question would allow students to vote on whether they’d prefer an remote online voting option as well as in-person ones for future Student Government elections. If passed by Senate, the amendment would be put on the Spring 2023 SG ballot, where students would vote on whether to allow remote voting for the following election.

Student Body President Lauren Lemasters addresses student senators over pushes for her impeachment at the Senate meeting Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Change senators fail to reintroduce Lemasters impeachment resolution

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 16, 2022

The Change Caucus reintroduced the resolution to impeach Student Body President Lauren Lemasters to the Senate floor Nov. 15 despite its failure in the Judiciary Committee Sunday.

Student Body President Lauren Lemasters addresses the audience in the University Auditorium at the State of the Campus Address Monday, Nov. 14, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Government leadership addresses Sasse vote, funding for student organizations

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 15, 2022

Seven months into their terms, Student Government executive leaders gathered to brief the student body on the state of the campus Nov. 14. The address featured speeches from Student Body President Lauren Lemasters, Vice President Daniel Badell, Treasurer Sierra Kantamneni and other executive leadership.

Lauren Lemasters, UF student body president, listens to public comment at the Board of Trustees meeting discussing Ben Sasse’s candidacy on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Lauren Lemasters impeachment resolution dies in Judiciary Committee

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 14, 2022

The Judiciary Committee does not believe Lemasters conducted malfeasance — or violating a contractual obligation — by breaking the trust of other elected officials. Change caucus said it will continue to find ways to hold Lemasters accountable.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Lemasters: Sasse vote was ‘my perspective’

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 10, 2022

Lemasters’ appearance follows the Change Caucus’ submission of a resolution to impeach her for voting in favor of Sen. Ben Sasse for UF president.

Senate President Olivia Green (Gator-District A) speaks during the Senate meeting Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Student Senate President, senators disagree with Lauren Lemasters on Sasse approval

By Alissa Gary | Nov. 1, 2022

During her report, Senate President Olivia Green (Gator-District A) said both she and the student body disagreed with Lemasters’ decision, and she was disappointed in Lemasters’ choice.

The UF Student Senate meets in the Senate Chamber of the Reitz Union Tuesday, June 7, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Senate stands in solidarity with Iranian women, approves bloc of seat candidates

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 26, 2022

The resolution standing with Iranian women came nearly 40 days after protests in Iran against the government’s enforcement of modesty laws, which began following the death of Mahsa Amini.

Lauren Lemasters, Gator Party's nominee for Student Government president, walks up to the podium outside of Library West at the announcement of the party's executive ticket on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Student Senate condemns presidential search committee, Lauren Lemasters for Sasse nomination

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 18, 2022

Minority Caucus Leader Faith Corbett (Change-District C) spoke on the resolution during the meeting, calling for Lemasters to vote “no” on Sasse’s confirmation. Lemasters holds one of the thirteen votes cast by the Board of Trustees.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Senate inducts new members, tables student organization funding vote

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 12, 2022

The Senate met twice in back-to-back meetings Oct. 11. The first meeting closed last Fall senators’ terms, while the second opened the new term. The Senate also postponed the vote on a highly-contested bill reclassifying student organizations and affecting their funding.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

What Student Government election results mean for Student Senate’s future

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 8, 2022

Throughout its campaign, Change Party had its sights set on winning one-third of the Student Senate. During Monday’s Student Government elections, it finally met that goal — growing its minority caucus from eight senators to 31 and shrinking Gator Party’s supermajority control.

Screenshot of the event poster on the Accent Speakers Bureau's Facebook page.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Barbara Corcoran to speak at UF Accent event

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 5, 2022

Accent Speakers Bureau, a Student Government agency tasked with bringing speakers to the university, announced the event Tuesday on Facebook. The event, which is free to UF students, will be held in the University Auditorium at 7 p.m.

Members of Change Party celebrate several district wins in the Senate at the Reitz Union, Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. Change Party won 27 seats and Gator Party won 22.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

‘Turning of the tide’: Change Party wins big in Student Government Fall election

By Alligator Staff report | Oct. 4, 2022

Though Change was five candidates short of a full slate, it won 27 seats in the Fall election, overcoming Gator’s 22-seat grab and reducing its Senate supermajority. Liberation Party didn’t claim any seats.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Funding changes prompt worry from UF clubs

By Claire Grunewald | Oct. 3, 2022

UF students are still advocating for their organizations in an ongoing conflict with the university and Student Government after the Senate vote on a bill that allocates funds was pushed back.

Students line up at the Broward Recreation Room to cast their vote in the UF Student Government election Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Thousands of UF students vote in Fall Student Government election despite Hurricane Ian delay

By Alligator Staff report | Sep. 28, 2022

Due to school closures in response to Hurricane Ian, the second day of elections was moved from Sept. 28 to Monday, Oct. 3. Voting times and locations will remain the same, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at any polling location.