News - The Independent Florida Alligator

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.

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

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

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF is being investigated by its accreditor. What does that mean?

By Elena Barrera | Nov. 17, 2021

During the past few weeks, UF faced heavy scrutiny because of an administrative decision that kept three professors from providing expert testimony in a lawsuit against the state. The media coverage following the decision grabbed the attention of scholars and citizens across the country as well as its accreditor.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF staff members form United Campus Workers of Florida

By Eve Thompson | Nov. 17, 2021

UCW-UF is a wall-to-wall union covering university workers from staff members to adjunct faculty. At the conference, which was also live streamed on social media, union representatives called for a collective voice to fight for better wages and benefits.

NEWS | SFC

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

By Eve Thompson | Nov. 17, 2021

There have been 400 reported positive cases since the Delta surge in early March 2021, which represents about 36% of all 1,096 cases since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report provided by Santa Fe director of human resources Lela Frye.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF students hold “Squid Game” inspired event

By Jenny Rogers | Nov. 16, 2021

About 117 UF students played the games, modeled after the South Korean show streamed on Netflix, on Nov. 6 as part of the university’s Gator Humans versus Zombies club. The students also peppered in zombie tag and Nerf guns.

Students protest against UF for initially denying three professors the ability to testify in a case against the state on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 on the corner of West University Avenue and Northwest 13th Street.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students, faculty unite to protest amid academic freedom controversy

By Elena Barrera | Nov. 15, 2021

Ever since UF denied three political science professors the ability to testify against the state, many have expressed their dismay toward the university. The events led roughly 40 protesters to band together Friday on the corner of West University Avenue and Northwest 13th Street.

The area of the Reitz Union where the sexual assault happened is seen on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF sophomore details sexual violence at Reitz Union

By Isabella Douglas | Nov. 15, 2021

UPD is asking anyone who has information regarding the man to contact UPD or submit a tip to its silent witness portal. The victim encourages others to use their best judgment.