News
The Independent Florida Alligator 2022 year in review
By Alligator Editorial Board | Dec. 28, 2022As the year 2022 comes to an end, here's a roundup of some of our most impactful news stories.
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University
Remembering UF ‘French Fries’ sculptor John Raymond Henry
By Anushka Dakshit | Dec. 15, 2022John Henry, the creator of “Alachua,” the sculpture in front of Marston Science Library better known by UF students as “The French Fries,” died Nov. 1. He was 79 years old.
University
UF Faculty Senate passes resolution to call for delay in state post-tenure regulation
By Christian Casale | Dec. 7, 2022The UF Faculty Senate voted Tuesday to approve a resolution that calls on the Florida Board of Governors to delay the implementation of a statewide post-tenure review reform — with only one dissenting vote visible.
University
Student Government closes out Fall semester
By Alissa Gary | Dec. 5, 2022The Fall semester in Student Government — marked with budget controversies and calls for impeachment of the student body president — has set the stage for a contentious spring election for both Gator and Change parties.
University
Battle looms for faculty tenure review across Florida
By Christian Casale | Dec. 5, 2022The United Faculty of Florida union, which represents 25,000 faculty members and 8,000 graduate students across the state’s 12 public institutions, has signaled the regulation — called 10.003 — in its current form would be a blow to academic freedom and faculty job security. The Board of Governors, on the other hand, say it’s a way to ensure the best educators are tenured and to reward faculty who deserve recognition.
University
International students weigh in on US gun culture
By Christian Casale | Dec. 5, 2022School shootings have become increasingly common in the U.S. over the last two decades, leaving many students to adapt to stricter safety measures in the classroom. However, the cycle of violence isn’t something many international students relate to back home.
University
Age no barrier to academic success for these Santa Fe College students
By Claire Grunewald | Dec. 5, 2022SFC welcomes students of all ages. Students older than 25 made up more than 20% of SFC’s Fall 2021 enrollment. This amount has remained consistent throughout the years at the college, according to the Santa Fe factbook. Nonetheless, older students have thrived in SFC’s diverse environment.
University
How UF compares to national trends of declining social interactions
By Peyton Harris | Dec. 5, 2022Last year, 12% of Americans said they had no close friends, a significant increase from 3% in 1990, according to a 2022 American Perspectives survey. Factors like the pandemic and online social media networking are possible factors for the decline in friendship, as well as a lack of walkable areas to form human connections.
University
UF law students build back student life after pandemic
By Siena Duncan | Dec. 5, 2022For the tens of thousands of dollars some pay to attend the UFs College of Law, the student experience was an integral part of getting the most out of their education — three years ago. Student life took a massive hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
University
Spice Drive diversifies Field and Fork Pantry’s supply
By Alissa Gary | Dec. 1, 2022With the help of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Leadership Institute, the pantry received more than 1,000 containers of spices.
University
Senate stalls online voting amendment, passes Club Q shooting resolution
By Alissa Gary | Nov. 30, 2022The major bill in question would allow students to vote on whether they’d prefer an remote online voting option as well as in-person ones for future Student Government elections. If passed by Senate, the amendment would be put on the Spring 2023 SG ballot, where students would vote on whether to allow remote voting for the following election.
University
Stop W.O.K.E Act temporarily blocked: UF’s perspective moving forward
By Peyton Harris | Nov. 21, 2022The Stop W.O.K.E. Act was put in place in July. UF, the state’s flagship university, was the first to issue guidance to faculty, according to the United Faculty of Florida. It also has the most to lose financially from violations of the law because the university receives the most state funding.
University
UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to build AI manufacturing hub
By Anushka Dakshit | Nov. 21, 2022In the next year, the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences plans to build a 19,000-square-foot AI hub at the Gulf Coast Research Center in Tampa. The hub will be used to manufacture AI technology with around a $23 million budget.
University
Change senators fail to reintroduce Lemasters impeachment resolution
By Alissa Gary | Nov. 16, 2022The Change Caucus reintroduced the resolution to impeach Student Body President Lauren Lemasters to the Senate floor Nov. 15 despite its failure in the Judiciary Committee Sunday.
University
Student Government leadership addresses Sasse vote, funding for student organizations
By Alissa Gary | Nov. 15, 2022Seven months into their terms, Student Government executive leaders gathered to brief the student body on the state of the campus Nov. 14. The address featured speeches from Student Body President Lauren Lemasters, Vice President Daniel Badell, Treasurer Sierra Kantamneni and other executive leadership.
University
Lauren Lemasters impeachment resolution dies in Judiciary Committee
By Alissa Gary | Nov. 14, 2022The Judiciary Committee does not believe Lemasters conducted malfeasance — or violating a contractual obligation — by breaking the trust of other elected officials. Change caucus said it will continue to find ways to hold Lemasters accountable.
University
UF coalition bands together to save graduate housing complexes
By Siena Duncan | Nov. 14, 2022There are now about 500 available on-campus student housing units for around 4,000 graduate students, GAU Co-President Bryn Taylor said. UF will remove 348 units in total.
University
Santa Fe College’s new charter school to bolster inclusivity with no entrance fees, requirements
By Claire Grunewald | Nov. 14, 2022Santa Fe Academy of Science and Technology will be the first of its kind in Gainesville by having a curriculum offering college courses and industry certifications that comes with no costs or specific requirements from students.
University
Lemasters: Sasse vote was ‘my perspective’
By Alissa Gary | Nov. 10, 2022Lemasters’ appearance follows the Change Caucus’ submission of a resolution to impeach her for voting in favor of Sen. Ben Sasse for UF president.
University
Part of Museum Road to fully open next week, UF said
By Peyton Harris | Nov. 10, 2022The stretch was closed for nearly ten months as a part of UF’s Campus Master Plan, which includes renovating campus roads for increased accessibility and sustainability.
