News - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

“To be her friend was to feel true joy.”: In Honor of Sabrina Marie Obando

By Allessandra Inzinna | Jan. 10, 2022

Obando, a 22-year-old Miami native, graduated cum laude in Fall 2021 with a degree in art history. On Jan. 4, Obando was hit by a pickup truck while she was crossing the sidewalk around 12:30 p.m. on the intersection of Northwest 8th Ave. and Northwest 10th St. Following the crash, she was transported to UF Health Shands Hospital where she died from her injuries.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Student Government prepares for the Spring semester

By Maia Botek | Jan. 10, 2022

After a Fall semester that saw graduate seat vacancies and an unusually low number of bills on the Senate floor, SG officers are preparing for the Spring semester.

UF President Kent Fuchs addresses the Board of Trustees in 2020. He announced he would step down from his role at the beginning of the Spring semester.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF President Fuchs announces resignation

By Elena Barrera | Jan. 5, 2022

Under Fuchs eight-year term as UF president, the university became a top five public university in the nation and was embroiled in an academic freedom scandal.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Graduate Students still have little voice in SG

By Allessandra Inzinna | Jan. 5, 2022

Following the Fall 2021 elections, both the Graduate and Family Housing seats remained vacant. Seven total votes were cast for only write-in candidates.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF graduate student wins $25,000 award in Deep Space Food Challenge

By Maia Botek | Jan. 5, 2022

The UF doctoral student led one of 18 U.S. teams selected as winners in the Deep Space Food Challenge to each receive a $25,000 prize. The challenge, hosted by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, sought tasty solutions to preserve nutrients in food for years-long journeys to Mars and beyond.

Photo by Lauren Witte | The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS

New UF/IFAS extension office facilitates agricultural research in Newberry

Jan. 5, 2022

The UF/IFAS Extension Office contains new additions such as a kitchen, laboratory and 300-seat auditorium, according to the Alachua County Facebook page. The office is a modern version of the old campus, said Joy Glanzer, who had previously served as a Newberry city commissioner in the planning zone.

Participants start running during the Gainesville Race for Inclusion organized by Special Olympics Florida on Dec. 4, 2021. Nathan Grinalds came first in the race.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Special Olympics Florida hosts Inaugural Race for Inclusion

By Thandie Brown | Dec. 10, 2021

The Gainesville Race for Inclusion, an inaugural event, happened on UF’s Flavet Field. Hosted by Special Olympics Florida, the fundraiser had almost $2,000 more than its original goal of $50,000 by the time the event started.

NEWS | FEATURES

Let's Talk About It

By Meghan McGlone , Isabella Douglas , Christian Casale , Omar Ateyah and Troy Myers | Dec. 7, 2021

In light of recent cases of sexual assault on and around the UF campus, The Alligator listened to the stories, explored the resources and followed the trends affecting students.

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

NEWS | CAMPUS

Academic freedom coalition steps forward as UF denies critical race theory concentration

By Elena Barrera | Dec. 6, 2021

The Coalition of Faculty for Academic Freedom is leading another effort to fight against faculty infringements after Chris Busey, a UF College of Education professor, filed a grievance about the fresh breach of academic integrity at UF.

UF President Kent Fuchs and Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini are seen during the meeting at Emerson Alumni Hall on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF Board of Trustees takes aim at faculty, unions over academic freedom scandal

By Alexander Lugo | Dec. 6, 2021

UF Board of Trustees chair Mori Hosseini responded after a month-long scandal plaguing UF with investigations

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.

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.