News | Campus - The Independent Florida Alligator

Pictured is the Santa Fe College clock tower.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College COVID-19 update: 15 students and employees tested positive last week

By Juliana Ferrie | Feb. 17, 2021

Santa Fe’s total number of reported positive cases is now 678, according to a report provided by spokesperson Jay Anderson. The college recorded its first student case March 8. Since Jan. 29, the college’s COVID-19 numbers have fluctuated, with the highest number of reported positive cases being 37 in one week.

The tomb of Francisco José do Nascimento, nicknamed "Sea Dragon," caked in dirt when UF history graduate student Licinio Nunes de Miranda found it in July. [Courtesy of Licinio Nunes de Miranda]

NEWS | CAMPUS

Following three-year search, UF grad student discovers long-lost Brazilian abolitionist’s tomb

By Jack Prator | Feb. 16, 2021

UF history graduate student Licinio Nunes de Miranda spent three years searching for the tomb of Brazilian abolitionist Francisco José do Nascimento, nicknamed the Sea Dragon because of his beginnings as a fisherman.

Two people light each other’s candles during an event on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021 to honor those killed during a school shooting in Parkland, Florida three years ago.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gainesville remembers Parkland shooting victims

By Alexander Lugo and Valeriya Antonshchuk | Feb. 15, 2021

About 80 students gathered in Plaza of the Americas on the evening of Feb. 14 to observe the third anniversary of the shooting. March for Our Lives Gainesville, a local branch of the national organization formed immediately following the tragedy to advocate for gun reform, honors the anniversary each year with a vigil on the plaza.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Preventing tragedy: New safety measures on University Avenue

By Sofia Echeverry | Feb. 15, 2021

UF will collaborate with FDOT, the city and UPD to enact traffic safety measures. These changes include lowering the speed limit, fixing and adding new crosswalks and installing signs for increased visibility.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Judge Stephan Mickle Honored in Memorial Service

By Ben Crosbie | Feb. 15, 2021

Clad in face coverings and dark, formal clothing, about 60 friends, family and former colleagues of Mickle gathered at the Curtis M. Phillips Center at noon for the private service. Mickle, the first Black student to earn an undergraduate degree from UF, died of cancer Jan. 26 at 76 years old.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF professor and peers call for more funding for Black researchers

By J.P. Oprison | Feb. 12, 2021

In a paper calling upon the National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies to address racial disparities, UF professor Josephine Allen and 18 of her colleagues argued that without adequate research funding, Black scientists can become discouraged and quit the profession – leaving fewer Black researchers to serve as role models and mentors for the next generation.

A collection of tombstone shaped signs and a banner calling for the end of in-person classes at the University of Florida was set-up on the corner of 13th Street and University Avenue on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UFF elevates concerned voices as UF’s re-opening plans rev on

By Alexander Lugo | Feb. 11, 2021

UFF held the meeting to lay out five demands aimed at university administration. The requests mainly center around in-person teaching and how it endangers faculty at a time when COVID-19 cases are still high, a more contagious variant of the disease is in town and students are still flocking to bars and clubs on the weekend.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Wednesday is the last day to request an absentee ballot for the Spring elections

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 10, 2021

Students who are not living in Gainesville or don’t feel comfortable voting in person can request an absentee ballot to be sent by mail by filling out a request form through the SG website.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College COVID-19 update: 19 students and employees tested positive last week

By Juliana Ferrie | Feb. 10, 2021

Santa Fe’s total reported positive cases is now 664. The college recorded its first student COVID-19 case March 8 and its first employee case the following day.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF’s online programs are among the best in the country

By Abigail Hasebroock | Feb. 9, 2021

The online bachelor’s program is available to more students than the roughly 4,000 who are currently enrolled. The courses offered are not exclusive to students only online but are available to traditional students who desire to take online classes.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

New UF class teaches students about the political, social context of whiteness

By J.P. Oprison | Feb. 9, 2021

UF professor Lance Gravlee created a class this semester called Whiteness in response to the racial injustice protests in 2020 over the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. He said the unequal impact of COVID-19 across racial lines also inspired him to create the class.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Tomorrow’s homework: UF launches new diversity, equity and inclusion training

By Sofia Echeverry | Feb. 6, 2021

The 40-minute training is recommended for all students, faculty and staff and covers topics such as discrimination, intersectionality, oppression, inclusion and identity. The course had a deadline of Jan. 31 for faculty. Students have until April 1.

Matt Raulerson, 20, a forest resources and conservation junior, walks on a path through the McCarty Woods Conservation Area on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. Raulerson expressed disappointment at the news that the conservation area has been approved as a possible future site for construction. "It's horrible," he said. "It would take away all the beauty of it. It's something I pass everyday I walk to class and it's something I love looking at."

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF students and faculty oppose proposal to build on the McCarty Woods conservation area

By Abigail Hasebroock | Feb. 5, 2021

In December, UF Board of Trustees approved a 2020-30 Campus Master Plan that marked 2 of the 2.9 acres of the McCarty Woods as a future construction site for research buildings. The decision has been met with opposition from UF students, faculty and staff who have banded together to prevent the implementation of the proposal.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College COVID-19 update: 37 students and employees tested positive last week

By Juliana Ferrie | Feb. 5, 2021

Santa Fe’s total reported positive cases since March is now 643.

Graphic of David Dobrik, Cody Ko and Noel Miller

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Cody Ko, Noel Miller and David Dobrik distract students with humor

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 4, 2021

Accent Speakers Bureau hosted the trio in a free event to UF students and faculty over Zoom. During the show, they spoke about their experience with YouTube and what is to come in their futures.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Union and Change Parties merge into one

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 3, 2021

With the merging of the two minority parties on the last day of slating, there will be two candidates running for each executive position. Both Gator and Change announced their executive ticket candidates in the last week.

Photo of Santa Fe College commencement from Fall 2019 [Courtesy of Matt Stamey]

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College to hold virtual Spring graduation

By Juliana Ferrie | Feb. 3, 2021

The ceremonies are scheduled for April 29-30 on a website created specifically for the graduation, according to Santa Fe’s website.

Screenshot of the "A Night of YouTube" Accent speaker event on Facebook`

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF will pay $120,000 to host Cody Ko, Noel Miller and David Dobrik to speak virtually

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 2, 2021

UF Accent Speakers Bureau will pay Youtube celebrities Cody Ko, Noel Miller and David Dobrik $120,000 total in student fees to speak virtually on Wednesday, according to event contracts.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Change Party announces its executive ticket

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 1, 2021

Change is the second party to announce its candidates, following Gator Party's announcement on Wednesday. Union Party’s plans are still unclear.

Photo of Charles Kibert [Courtesy of Patricia Kibert]

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Sustaining UF professor Charles Kibert’s legacy

By Sofia Echeverry | Feb. 1, 2021

Kibert was a Holland professor in the M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Construction Management and the director of the Powell Center for Construction and Environment.