News - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Senate President Franco Luis Announced Senate Will Meet In Person This Summer

By Eve Thompson | May 19, 2021

This is the second meeting in two weeks that has been canceled after the first meeting last week could not begin due to an insufficient amount of senators present. This is a result of Senate codes limiting virtual meetings passed over Fall. Last week, Luis had to choose between breaking its own codes or the university’s COVID-19 policies to hold Senate online or in person.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF will no longer require masks on campus

By Alexandra Harris | May 17, 2021

The university will no longer require masks for students, faculty, staff and guests on UF property effective immediately. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and UF still recommend anyone who is not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should wear a mask.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF’s first gender-neutral Living Learning Community will officially open to students this Summer

By Camila Pereira | May 13, 2021

After scrolling through different housing options when applying to UF, the name Lavender Living Learning Community caught Kate Eggenberg’s eye.

NEWS | CAMPUS

CJC Faculty Harrison Hove and Clay Calvert named Teacher and Teacher/Scholar of the Year

By Makiya Seminera | May 13, 2021

Harrison Hove and Clay Calvert, J.D., Ph.D. — two faculty members within the College of Journalism and Communications — were named Teacher of the Year and Teacher/Scholar of the Year respectively for the 2020-2021 school year.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College students show off their graphic design skills

By Antonia LaRocca | May 12, 2021

Santa Fe College held a virtual 2021 Student Exhibition April 29. Instead of shaking hands and saying farewell to graduating students face-to-face, attendees gazed at glowing computer screens and false backgrounds during the exhibition.

Aleidys Lopez, 19, a UF sustainability studies and women's studies sophomore shields her face from the sun with a "Save Bright Futures" sign as she three other protestors march down University Avenue on Friday, March 26, 2021. The protest was held to raise awareness about Senate Bill 86, which was amended on Tuesday.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

End of Florida legislative session stops controversial student financial aid bill

By Juliana Ferrie | May 12, 2021

After months of controversy, a bill proposing changes to Bright Futures funding was finally terminated when it stalled in the Florida House of Representatives. While students’ majors will not impact their scholarships for now, Bright Futures funding may still change

Juliet Rapaport, UF health science junior (left) and Hannah Shiffner, UF history junior (right), grab some Starbucks drinks together outside of Library West on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. The pair said they went to high school together and met to catch up.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF will have full capacity classrooms and relaxed COVID-19 protocols during Summer B

By Makiya Seminera | May 10, 2021

Summer A and C classes will maintain many of the same COVID-19 policies seen during Spring and will serve as a transition period to in-person classes starting May 10. This time will allow staff and faculty to make necessary preparations for their classrooms and allow the UF community time to get vaccinated.

UF graduates stand and sing along to Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" during the 2021 graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 1, 2021. (Photo by Makiya Seminera)

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF graduates attend first in-person commencement ceremonies since 2019

By Makiya Seminera and Isabella Douglas | May 10, 2021

From April 29 to May 3, around 10,000 students registered to graduate in the Spring 2021 graduation ceremonies — the first in-person graduation ceremonies since since December 2019. Of the 10,000 students registered, about 3,000 were graduates from spring, summer and fall of 2020 who returned to UF’s campus to attend in-person commencement ceremonies the following weekend.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Here’s what you missed in Student Government this Spring

By Carolina Ilvento and Grace Stoler | May 10, 2021

Throughout Spring, Senate passed a total of 19 bills — 11 of which were resolutions, which by definition are an expression of the Senate’s sentiments on behalf of the Student Body. No bills enabling direct change were passed.

Photo courtesy of the department of public relations

NEWS | CAMPUS

Former UF public relations professor Kathleen Kelly dies at 77

By Camila Pereira | May 10, 2021

Kelly, who was a former UF public relations professor and advisor for mass communication Ph.D. students, died April 28 in her St. Augustine condo at 77.

Photograph of Nicole Stedman. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Stedman)

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Nicole Stedman takes on new position as Dean of UF’s Graduate School

By Isabella Douglas | May 10, 2021

Nicole Stedman, soon-to-be associate provost and dean of UF’s Graduate School, will be responsible for understanding the current issues the Graduate School faces and administer communication between the university and graduate students. She was chosen for the role over two other finalists.

Alexander McCollum, 19, a Santa Fe Associate of Arts graduate stands through the sunroof of a white limousine with his hand holding a paper scroll raised in the air in celebration during Santa Fe College’s Drive-Thru Grad Walk ceremony on Thursday, April 29, 2021.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College graduates attend drive-thru graduation by motorcycle, limousine and decorated cars

By Antonia LaRocca | May 7, 2021

During the event, graduates exited their vehicles to walk across the stage. They could remove their face masks for photos once on the stage.

Photo of Newell Drive with Century Tower and Marston Science Library visible in the view

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF employees tried to deal with their health. They say their bosses stood in the way

By Corbin Bolies | Apr. 23, 2021

The Alligator found three cases of current and former UF employees with medical issues facing alleged resistance from their supervisors since 2019. These employees, who were not tenured, faced two propositions: medical leave or unemployment.

A lone man is seen walking through Turlington Plaza at UF in Gainesville, Fla., on August 31, 2020. The plaza, which is usually filled with people, remained relatively bare on the first day of fall classes.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF’s class 2025 grows in size while its diversity numbers stagnate

By Alexander Lugo | Apr. 23, 2021

While the number of UF admits keeps growing, Black, Hispanic and Native American admits saw subtle decreases this year.

Two people hand out sticks of incense during the funeral of Bach Lien Tong Duong on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Duong was a volunteer who taught Vietnamese at UF before an official position was created and played a significant role in creating the annual Pho fundraiser for the Vietnamese Student Organization before she passed away.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Prominent UF and Gainesville figure Bach Lien Tong Duong dies at 72

By Michelle Holder and Juliana Ferrie | Apr. 23, 2021

She found herself halfway across the world from her home country in Gainesville where she left a lasting impact on the UF and Gainesville community through her unending service of education and teaching.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Limited tours and online Preview present challenges for incoming students

By J.P. Oprison | Apr. 21, 2021

With campus tours at reduced capacity and new student Preview, which helps students transition to UF with tours and advising, held online, UF class of 2025 students are worried about how well they can get to know their new college.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SG passes resolution calling UF to commit to 100% renewable energy

By Carolina Ilvento | Apr. 21, 2021

In 2018, Gainesville committed to have all its energy provided entirely by renewable sources by 2045. The resolution follows four other Florida universities that have passed resolutions like this, such as FSU, UCF, USF and UWF.

Pictured is the Santa Fe College clock tower.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College COVID-19 update: 15 students and employees tested positive last week

By Juliana Ferrie | Apr. 21, 2021

The college’s total number of reported positive cases since last March is now 747, according to a report provided by Santa Fe spokesperson Jay Anderson. There are 12,469 students enrolled at the college this semester.

Frank Daldine, 19, a UF mechanical engineering sophomore (left) receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, April 5, 2021. Monday was the first day COVID-19 vaccines were made widely available to UF students.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF students reflect on Spring and the future of Fall

By Abigail Hasebroock | Apr. 19, 2021

As UF’s Spring semester comes to a close, students reflect on how the pandemic allowed for the opportunity to gain new abilities and navigate through HyFlex classes. They also look ahead to Fall — with some feeling apprehensive about UF’s decision to return to full, normal operations and others eager to step foot back on campus.

Screenshot of the event poster on UF Accent Speakers Bureau Facebook page.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy discusses brand success and controversies

By Manny Rea | Apr. 19, 2021

Portnoy, the last speaker in the UF Accent Speakers Bureau’s Spring lineup, joined moderator Ted Spiker, the journalism department chair, over Zoom to discuss his latest ventures.