News - The Independent Florida Alligator

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.

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

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.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Recap: First week of UF’s conflict of interest task force

By Camila Pereira | Nov. 15, 2021

President Fuchs’ Task Force on Outside Activities had its first two meetings last week following heavy scrutiny on UF’s decision to limit eight professors from testifying in lawsuits against the state.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Alachua County Commission postpones vote on UF’s Campus Development Agreement due to affordable graduate housing

By Eve Thompson | Nov. 15, 2021

Citing the UF’s lack of a plan to provide affordable graduate housing, the Alachua County Commission delayed its vote on Campus Development Agreement until December.

Emerson Alumni Hall is seen on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Giving Gators boycott donations to UF following academic freedom controversy

By Emma Behrmann | Nov. 10, 2021

UF alumni express disappointment with the university's decision to bar professors from testifying against the state through tweets that declared a halt in donations. Over 440 individuals signed a petition last week.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF president’s new task force on outside activities meets for first time

By Camila Pereira | Nov. 10, 2021

The task force was appointed by President Kent Fuchs and Provost Joe Glover to investigate UF’s written policies on disclosure of outside activities and conflict of interest. The university’s policies came under scrutiny after they were used to bar professors from testifying against the state of Florida.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SG advocates for crosswalk on University, 26th

By Allessandra Inzinna | Nov. 10, 2021

Senate unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday advocating for pedestrian safety at the intersection of University Avenue and Northwest 26th Street.

NEWS | SFC

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

By Eve Thompson | Nov. 10, 2021

The total number of reported cases on campus dropped by 25% compared to last week’s four cases.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Three UF professors file lawsuit against university

By Alexander Lugo | Nov. 8, 2021

Lawsuit claims UF violated professors' first amendment rights

A mostly deserted evening along Newell Drive at the University of Florida’s Gainesville campus on Tuesday, July 22, 2021. The upcoming fall semester will see tens of thousands of students return to Gainesville, although an increase in the number of delta variant COVID-19 infections raises concerns about viral spread among unvaccinated people.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF barring professor testimony raises political questions

By Elena Barrera | Nov. 8, 2021

Widespread turmoil erupted after UF stopped three political science professors from testifying in a case against the state. Some faculty members believe these events point to a bigger issue: increasing political pressure from the state on the university’s decisions.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF alumni to release new dating app Jungle

By Emma Behrmann | Nov. 8, 2021

Beta testing is set to start Nov. 27 in Gainesville

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF announces Marsha McGriff to be the university’s chief diversity officer after 8-month search

By Camila Pereira | Nov. 5, 2021

Marsha McGriff, UF’s new chief diversity officer, will build upon current and previous work, lead diversity, equity and inclusion strategic planning, build a culture of accountability and transparency on progress made, and engage with community leaders and student diversity groups.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

The latest news on UF’s barring of professors from testifying against the state

Nov. 5, 2021

UF faculty senate releases damning report on academic freedom probe