News | Campus Uf Administration - The Independent Florida Alligator

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Sasse’s abrupt exit leaves big plans unfinished, UF’s future uncertain

By Avery Parker , Morgan Vanderlaan and Garrett Shanley | July 22

Danaya Wright had plans and papers to write. After chairing the UF Faculty Senate during Ben Sasse’s tumultuous first year at the university’s helm, she was behind on her duties as a law professor. The sun was low as she drove home from campus, moments before she received the call that changed everything: “Sasse is resigning.”

UF President Ben Sasse helps incoming freshmen move in on Aug. 17, 2023.

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Sasse's resignation: How politicians, education officials are reacting

By Alligator Staff report | July 20

Following UF President Ben Sasse's abrupt resignation from the university's top post, several top state politicians took to Twitter to offer their condolences to Sasse and honor his leadership's legacy.

Ben Sasse delivers his inauguration speech at the University Auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.

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Kent Fuchs expected to serve as interim UF president after Sasse resignation

By Garrett Shanley | July 18

Sasse, who has led the university since February 2023, announced his resignation in a UF news release Thursday night. He leaves office effective July 31.

UF Faculty Senate members vote to delay the COVID-19 no-confidence resolution in the Reitz Union Chamber on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.

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UF Faculty Senate holds special meeting to approve Hamilton Center degrees, discuss post-tenure review

By Timothy Wang | June 23

The UF Faculty Senate held its first-ever summer meeting Friday over Zoom to vote on approval of two degree proposals for the Hamilton Center, the university's state-mandated civic center which has been fast-tracked to become a college by 2025.

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Tulane University official named next UF Vice President for Construction, Facilities and Auxiliary Operations

By Timothy Wang | June 18, 2024

Tulane University Vice President Randy Philipson will replace Dave Kratzer as UF’s vice president for construction and facilities beginning July 22, according to a news release.

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UF continues searches for top leadership positions, deans

By Kamala Rossi | June 10, 2024

Within the past year, UF has filled positions from the shifting vacancies that followed after Ben Sasse was announced as UF’s new president in February 2023.

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Gator Water Polo president, coach no longer at university following sexual harassment allegation

By Garrett Shanley | June 7, 2024

A UF employee who coached a university-affiliated water polo club is no longer working at the university after he was accused of being “overly touchy” and sharing a bed with student athletes.

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UF professor sues Florida officials over law restricting international student employment

By Grace McClung | May 13, 2024

After losing his top pick for a postdoctoral assistantship, UF professor Zhengfei Guan is suing top state officials to block a law restricting international student employment at Florida public universities.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is seen on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021.

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UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean steps down

By Timothy Wang | May 7, 2024

The dean of UF’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will be stepping down from his position effective June 30, according to a UF news release.

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Gen Ed humanities courses must include the ‘Western canon’ under new state law

By Zoey Thomas | Mar. 25, 2024

A new Florida law requiring all humanities General Education core courses include “selections from the Western canon” will take effect Fall 2024. The requirement was added to Florida statutes in May as part of Senate Bill 266, the same sweeping education reform bill that cut state funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Jonathan Pearson, Hailey Pham and Mags Penza play cards while Fernando Guillen studies at Marston Science Library on Sunday, March 3, 2024.

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UF eliminates diversity: What’s known and what remains unclear

By Zoey Thomas | Mar. 4, 2024

The university announced it has closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors in a memo published March 1. The university also fired 13 full-time DEI positions and ended 15 administrative appointments for faculty, according to UF Spokesperson Cynthia Roldan.

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Florida’s cell-grown meat ban leaves UF researchers divided

By Zoey Thomas | Mar. 4, 2024

Called “cultivated meat” by researchers and “lab-grown meat” by critics, the alternative protein is developed directly from animal cells. Scientists collect tissue samples from live animals without killing them. Then, they allow the cells to multiply and mature in a lab before processing them into a food product.

Malachowsky Hall stands on Museum Road on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023.

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Email reprimanding napping students at Malachowsky Hall brings backlash

By Delia Rose Sauer | Feb. 29, 2024

On Feb. 7, around 50 students received an email whose first line read, “We appreciate how hard our faculty and students work, but it’s Malachowsky Hall, not Malachowsky Hotel.”

Ben Sasse speaks at UF Hillel’s Spread Cream Cheese Not Hate event on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.

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Sasse spent first year as UF president mostly behind the scenes

By Zoey Thomas | Feb. 5, 2024

After a search committee announced Sasse as the sole finalist for the presidency in October 2022, the campus erupted in protests that the former United States Republican senator would bring a conservative agenda to campus. Instead, Sasse spent his first year putting his head down to learn the workings of what Danaya Wright called the most complicated institution in the country.

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Florida shut down state funding for diversity, equity and inclusion. These UF programs could be affected

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 29, 2024

In the days following the statewide ban on diversity, equity and inclusion funding, students at the University of North Florida are protesting the closure of their school’s LGBTQ+ center. Meanwhile, UF faculty and students are still unsure what the future looks like. The Florida Board of Governors gave final approval Jan. 24 to a ban on universities putting state or federal funds toward DEI or “social activism” programs.

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DeSantis grant allows UF undergraduates to be paid to intern in K-5 classrooms

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 16, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $5 million Dec. 13 among 10 Florida public universities to develop pre-bachelor’s apprenticeship programs. UF received about $1.3 million from the grant, which was the latest effort in DeSantis’ Pathways to Career Opportunities investment to strengthen Florida’s teacher pipeline.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by NBC News, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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Can DeSantis waiving Jewish student transfer requirements be called affirmative action?

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 16, 2024

DeSantis announced in his State of the State address Jan. 9 Florida universities will waive certain transfer requirements, including credit hours and application deadlines, for out-of-state students experiencing antisemitism or other religious discrimination on their campuses.

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after being sworn in to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol on Jan. 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

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DeSantis orders Florida universities to waive certain transfer requirements for Jewish students

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 10, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis directed Florida universities to waive application requirements for Jewish transfer students fearing antisemitism Tuesday.

Republican U.S. Sen Ben Sasse, of Nebraska, applauds President Kent Fuchs at the Board of Trustees meeting to discuss his candidacy at Emerson Alumni Hall Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

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UF President Ben Sasse names Scott Angle permanent UF provost

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 9, 2024

UF President Ben Sasse announced Scott Angle as provost in an email to faculty and community members Tuesday morning. Angle was one of 14 UF faculty members to serve on the committee, which also brought in outside consultation from the Isaacson, Miller research firm.

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UF faculty banned from recruiting Chinese, Iranian students under new Florida law

By Zoey Thomas | Jan. 8, 2024

The Florida law bans “partnerships,” including recruitment programs, between state universities and any non-U.S. citizen living in a foreign country of concern — including China, Iran, Venezuela, Russia, Cuba, Syria and North Korea. It was passed in May and went into effect Dec. 1. The UF dean’s office and upper administration has interpreted the law to mean faculty cannot offer any assistantship or fellowship to students in these countries for the 2024-2025 academic year.