News - The Independent Florida Alligator

Dr. Joseph Ladapo is seen on Oct. 14, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF faces criticism after hiring Florida surgeon general critical of COVID-19 measures

By J.P. Oprison | Dec. 6, 2021

Controversy has clouded his role at UF after reports showed Board of Trustees Chair Morteza “Mori” Hosseini, who has ties to DeSantis, personally expedited Ladapo’s resume to UF Health despite his controversial views on COVID-19 measures. Ladapo’s hiring brought into question the school’s tenure process, which typically takes about a year and a half.

Cristie Anderson, 38, a nursing student at Santa Fe College, passes by the Alan J. Robertson Administration building on Friday, June 18, 2021.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe food pantry Saints Food Share to be renovated in January

By Eve Thompson | Dec. 1, 2021

The food pantry was founded in 2010 by two SF professors: Sarah Stone and Kerry Chancey. The pantry aims to combat food insecurity in the community.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College COVID-19 Update: Two positive cases reported in last week

By Eve Thompson | Dec. 1, 2021

There were two fewer reported cases than the previous week.

Tigert Hall is seen on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF professor files grievance over school’s denial of critical race theory concentration title

By Elena Barrera | Dec. 1, 2021

UF Associate Provost Chris Hass met with the College of Education’s faculty Sept. 28 to discuss the curriculum initiatives surrounding race and antiracism, according to a grievance filed by Chris Busey, a UF College of Education professor.

Rabbi Berl Goldman takes a picture of a group of girls in front of the menorah at the Plaza of Americas on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Chabad UF celebrates second night of Hanukkah

By Emma Behrmann | Nov. 30, 2021

The Gainesville Jewish community gathered in the Plaza of the Americas to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah with a campus menorah lighting. A tent in front of Library West showcased tables of latkes, doughnuts and menorah kits.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF ties up loose ends in academic freedom scandal, criticism mounts

By Camila Pereira and Elena Barrera | Nov. 29, 2021

Although the report followed recommendations made by a task force created to reimagine UF’s conflict of interest policies, the proposed changes would still allow the university to bar professors from testifying in the future.

Liberty Pond is seen behind the Reitz Union on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF, UPD respond to sexual violence at Reitz Union

By Isabella Douglas | Nov. 29, 2021

In February, the Division of Student Life requested the installation of cameras for the Reitz Union, UF Spokesperson Cynthia Roldan wrote. The request was approved by the State University System’s Capital Improvement Trust Fund Committee for $105,000. In August, UF’s Student Government agreed to contribute an additional $45,000 for the cameras.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Here is what you missed in Student Government this Fall

By Allessandra Inzinna | Nov. 29, 2021

Last Spring, SG passed 19 bills — at least 11 of which were resolutions. This semester, SG passed less than half of that. Seven bills were approved in the Senate chamber since September: three were resolutions.

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

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF African American Studies Course Title Sparks Controversy Among Students

By Desiree Anello | Nov. 29, 2021

The African American Studies department is offering a course next semester titled “Blacks in Florida” under the course code AFA4225. Some students said the wording of the course title is off-putting and may take away from the intentions of the course. Others believe the course offers a different look into Black experiences in Florida.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College launches high school counseling program SF Achieve

By Eve Thompson | Nov. 29, 2021

The program places Santa Fe college counselors in every high school in Alachua and Bradford counties. The goal is to provide scholarships and textbook stipends, and show high school students higher education options — from community colleges and trade schools to four-year universities.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

President Fuchs accepts his task force’s recommendations, professors disagree

By Camila Pereira | Nov. 24, 2021

The task force’s final report recommendations stated UF could still deny testimony if it thought professors were engaging in too many outside activities that restrict them from duties at UF.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF submitted documents in response to its accrediting body’s investigation

By Elena Barrera | Nov. 24, 2021

UF submitted a report Tuesday to its accreditation body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, affirming there was no external influence on its decisions to allow or deny professors to testify as expert witnesses.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Advocates demand change following forced shock therapy case at Shands

By J.P. Oprison | Nov. 24, 2021

A Shands psychiatric patient was cornered by staff, shocked by force and left with lasting memory damage.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College COVID-19 Update: Four positive cases reported in last week

By Eve Thompson | Nov. 24, 2021

The college’s total number of reported positive cases since March 2020 is now 1,100

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF’s conflict of interest task force passes final report one week early

By Camila Pereira | Nov. 23, 2021

On its fifth meeting, the task force members unanimously voted in favor of passing the final report to Fuchs Monday afternoon.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF-made satellite headed to space late December

By Allessandra Inzinna | Nov. 22, 2021

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket takes off on a resupply mission for the International Space Station Dec. 21. A small UF-made satellite, roughly the length and width of a Subway footlong sandwich, will venture into space along with it.

Senate members cast their secret ballot and wait for the final count to be announced on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF Faculty Senate passes COVID-19 ‘no-confidence’ resolution as rebuke toward administration

By Camila Pereira | Nov. 19, 2021

First drafted in August, the resolution detailed UF faculty and staff’s dissatisfaction with the state’s and university administration’s COVID-19 policies. Faculty concerns have ranged from in-person teaching requirements without social distancing or masking and vaccination requirements to the school’s lack of flexibility to accommodate at-risk faculty.

The University of Florida's Century tower, as viewed from Newell Drive on Thursday, July 22, 2021. The tower commemorates UF students who fought and died in World War I and World War II -- the tower also commemorates the 100th anniversary of UF's founding in 1853.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Congressional subcommittee announces investigation into UF’s academic freedom scandal

By Elena Barrera | Nov. 18, 2021

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Rep. Jamie Raskin sent a letter to UF President Kent Fuchs Thursday expressing their deep concern about the recent challenges to academic freedom at the university. The House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which is part of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, will be investigating the extent UF has undermined the integrity of academic freedom, according to the letter.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Dean who barred professor from testifying against state says UF administration directed him to do so

By Elena Barrera | Nov. 17, 2021

After receiving a request from professor Daniel Smith to testify in a case challenging the state’s voting rights law, Richardson said he sought counsel from central administration. In the meeting, he said he did so because the defendant in the case in question was a state official.

Emilio Cueto (left) points out a stamp in his book to his longtime friend Rafael Peñalver (center) on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Cuban scholar publishes new book detailing Cuba's history through stamps

By Christian Casale | Nov. 17, 2021

World-renown historian publishes book through Library Press@UF detailing Cuba's history through stamps