News | Campus - The Independent Florida Alligator

Student-led Hispanic organizations like HLSA, HSA and CHISPAS welcome new students and offer cultural representation, resources, and community support as the Fall semester begins.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Hispanic and Latino student groups usher in new school year at UF

By Candy Fontana-Verde | Aug. 13

The Hispanic community at the University of Florida represents the largest minority group. To offer a space for students who want to feel connected to their heritage, student organizations host activities and programs that celebrate Latin culture, promote connection and help new and returning students find their place on campus.

The Graduate Assistants Union and the University of Florida find themselves unable to agree on a salary increase, putting an end to future negotiations.

NEWS | CAMPUS GRADUATE SCHOOL

UF graduate union reaches impasse

By Delia Rose Sauer | Aug. 5

After months of back-and-forth with UF’s bargaining team without a counter-proposal, both parties declared an impasse in a July 31 bargaining session.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF shuts down Office of Sustainability

By Maria Avlonitis | Aug. 4

After almost 20 years of service, the University of Florida shut down its Office of Sustainability Monday. The Health Science Center Police Service Technician program will also close.

Solar Gators celebrates placing fifth overall in the Formula Sun Grand Prix.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Solar Gators wins awards in Formula Sun Grand Prix

By Elizabeth Maguire | July 30

Solar Gators attended the Formula Sun Grand Prix, debuting a new car, Flare. The grand prix’s road-style, closed course tests the cars’ handling of curves, braking and acceleration, measuring their endurance by seeing which car can accumulate the most miles.

Portrait of Interim University of Florida President Ken Fuchs taken on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Kent Fuchs to stay with UF until September

By Maria Avlonitis | July 29

Two days before his contract was set to expire, Interim President Kent Fuchs decided to stay with the Gators a little while longer.

“The French Fries” stand between the Computer Sciences and Engineering Building and Marston Science Library on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF Hamilton School works toward ‘Oxford-style college’ with new hires, majors and director

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 29

Robert Ingram, the new interim director for the UF Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, wants to mark a new chapter of rapid expansion and academic ambition.

The UF IT department pulls the plug on remote work positions, forcing many employees to return to their physical offices.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF employees shocked by full return to work

By Maria Avlonitis | July 28

When the University of Florida sent an email to employees July 24 announcing a full return to in-person work, Katherine McGuire said the announcement was so abrupt the whole office had to stop working.

A cat named Pepper has proven to be an unlikely research assistant for virologists at the University of Florida in their efforts to identify rare diseases.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Pepper’s paws and pathogens: How one cat pioneers viral discovery

By Autumn Johnstone | July 25

Behind 68-year-old John Lednicky’s Gainesville home lies a vast array of greenery that makes for the perfect place for Pepper, his cat, to prey on smaller mammals. Patrolling his territory, Pepper often leaves rodents on the UF research professor’s door.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF revokes hybrid, remote work arrangements for employees

By Avery Parker and Maria Avlonitis | July 24

The University of Florida rescinded its hybrid work agreement for all UF employees in an email Thursday morning.

The UF Board of Trustees went on a retreat from September 12 to the 13, 2024.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF Board of Trustees approves out-of-state tuition hike

By Maria Avlonitis | July 23

The University of Florida Board of Trustees approved an increase for out-of-state students’ tuition, ratified a raise to UF Police Department’s salary and addressed UF’s need for an interim president during a virtual special meeting Wednesday.

The Peaceful Paths organization in Gainesville extends a helping hand to survivors of domestic abuse.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Peaceful Paths, UF researchers partner to combat digital domestic violence

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 23

Gainesville-based domestic violence center Peaceful Paths and University of Florida researchers partnered to address a growing threat in abusive relationships: technology.

William Ferraz de Santana poses with the Graduate Paper Award at the International Sociology of Sport Association Conference in Seoul, South Korea on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF Ph.D. student wins international research award

By Elizabeth Maguire | July 22

William Santana, a Brazilian international Ph.D. student in sport management, witnessed firsthand the obstacles athletes face when trying to report harassment or abuse.

NEWS | CAMPUS

IFAS assistant director builds a legacy in the soil

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 18

Bob Hochmuth has spent more than four decades working side-by-side with farmers, mentoring young professionals and leading research-backed innovation across North Florida — a dedication that earned him the highest honor in his field.

UF Health Recovery Center has its grand opening on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF Health celebrates the opening of the new Florida Recovery Center Tuesday

By Elizabeth Maguire | July 16

UF Health held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new Florida Recovery Center Tuesday morning. The FRC will transition to a larger facility behind the UF Health Springhill medical complex.

Patrick Keegan (far left), the University of Florida’s chief labor negotiator, discusses potential changes to the collective bargaining agreement before its signing later this week at the UF Police Department on Monday, July 14, 2025.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF gives UFPD $13,000 raise across the board

By Maria Avlonitis | July 15

After months of negotiations, the University of Florida and the University of Florida Police Department agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement. The new contract gives a $13,000 raise across the board for bargaining unit members.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF graduate campus set to transform downtown Jacksonville

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 15

A new University of Florida graduate campus set to open in downtown Jacksonville could bring massive changes to the city’s economy, workforce and infrastructure.

Negotiations between the UFPD and the University of Florida stall as both sides fail to reach an agreement on a potential increase in police officer salaries.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF, UFPD at an impasse over officers’ salaries

By Maria Avlonitis | July 14

The University of Florida Police Department wants a raise, but UF isn’t ready to meet its demands.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF announces new Hamilton School interim director

By Maria Avlonitis | July 10

Robert Ingram was named the interim director of the Hamilton School of Classical and Civic Education in an administrative memo Thursday. He will serve a one-year appointment as interim director starting Aug. 1.

University of Florida’s international students share how a potential tuition increase could affect them.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

International students weigh in on proposed UF tuition increase

By Swasthi Maharaj | July 9

A proposed 10% tuition increase for non-resident students at UF raised concerns among out-of-state and international students. Students are left questioning the fairness of the proposal and considering its financial implications.

Dr. Barbara Knox, who faced allegations of creating a hostile work environment, has resigned in light of an investigation into her behavior.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF child abuse pediatrician resigns after investigation into workplace conduct

By Avery Parker | July 7

A human resources investigation into UF Jacksonville Health child abuse pediatrician Barbara Knox substantiated accusations she created a hostile work environment while leading the University of Florida’s Child Protection Team, a child pediatric clinic handling cases of suspected child abuse and neglect.