News - The Independent Florida Alligator

Hundreds of UF students and community members gather in Turlington Plaza for a candlelight vigil to show support for Israel after after Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas launched a large-scale invasion on Monday, Oct. 10, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Five injured after panic breaks out at UF vigil for Israel

By Claire Grunewald and Molly Seghi | Oct. 10

Hundreds of UF students and community members gathered in Turlington Plaza for a candlelight vigil to support Israel after Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas launched a large-scale invasion, but the vigil ended in chaos, confusion and five people injured after a commotion turned into a stampede.

Community members, Santa Fe College faculty and students listen to SF President Paul Broadie II deliver the opening address of the East Gainesville Initiative Community Forum at the SF Charles L. Blount Center Oct. 5.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College aims to eliminate local equity gaps in education with a variety of initiatives

By Bailey Diem | Oct. 9

Dozens of community members and Santa Fe College students and faculty were present at the SF Charles L. Blount Center in downtown Gainesville Thursday night, sharing plans and progress made toward closing equity gaps in education.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Theta Chi face alleged hazing penalties

By Ella Thompson | Oct. 9

Two on-campus fraternities are being investigated by the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution following Fall 2023 rush hazing allegations.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF celebrates 100th homecoming

By Bailey Diem and Garrett Shanley | Oct. 8

Students, staff, alumni and locals prepared for a day-long celebration in honor of UF’s 100th annual homecoming. The festivities included a festival tabled with student organizations and activities, the annual Gator Gallop run and the ever-popular homecoming parade.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students, local companies share game day routines and traditions

By Megan Howard | Oct. 8

All throughout campus and University Avenue, crowds line the streets decked out in orange and blue during Gator home games. Saturday games in the swamp bring thousands of fans to Gainesville. Before electrifying the stadium with 90,000 people, students, alumni and fans tailgate to bring energy to their team.

Jason Derulo performs UF's Gator Growl Thursday, October 5, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gator Growl celebrates 100th birthday with Jason Derulo performance

By Jared Teitel | Oct. 6

Thursday, the Stephen C. O’Connell Center celebrated 100 years of Gator Growl, inviting UF students and the city of Gainesville to the party.

The poster from UF Homecoming Gator Growl announcing that Jason Derulo will be coming to UF.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Jason Derulo to perform at UF Gator Growl amid sexual harassment lawsuit

By Bailey Diem | Oct. 5

Popular R&B singer Jason Derulo, scheduled to perform as part of the 100th Gator Growl Thursday night, faces allegations of sexual assault almost eight hours before his set.

Members of Vision Party look over the election results in the J. Wayne Reitz Union Student Union Reitz Student Union on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Vision Party wins Senate majority, over 12,000 UF students vote in Fall Student Government elections

By Alligator Staff report | Oct. 5

Vision Party, which ran for the first time, gained 40 seats while Change Party won nine on-campus seats; the Graduate and Family Housing seat was left vacant. Pizza Party and Gator Party didn’t win any seats.

Leaked screenshot as seen on YikYak Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Leaked screenshot alleges compulsory election participation within Greek life

By Aidan Bush | Oct. 4

YikYak posts obtained by The Alligator Tuesday night contain a leaked screenshot from the online messenger app GroupMe, which appears to show 22-year-old UF law graduate student Jared Weingard instructing Greek life members on election procedures.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

More than 7,000 UF students vote in the first day of Fall Student Government elections

By Alligator Staff report | Oct. 4

After recent controversies surrounding UF Student Government, polls for SG elections opened Tuesday morning for students to elect their Fall 2023 Senators.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

EXCLUSIVE: Change Party to file possible state or federal charges against Vision, Gator Party

By Vivienne Serret | Oct. 2

Just a day before UF Student Government elections, both major parties — Change Party and Vision Party — are alleging the other broke state or federal laws after Change alleges one of its former affiliates, who defected to Vision, recorded and leaked Change’s files.

Ted Spiker interviews John Green, an author, YouTuber and philanthropist, at the University Auditorium on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

John Green talks mental health, creative process in semester’s first ACCENT event

By Aidan Bush | Sep. 27

John Green, a 46-year-old novelist, philanthropist and online content creator, discussed everything from his writing philosophy to his least favorite state in an hour-long discussion with Ted Spiker, the UF College of Journalism chair.

Sam Dolson, left, and Jon Roosenraad look at the list of graduates in Weimer Hall during the 1992 Spring graduation.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Remembering Roosenraad: Beloved UF faculty member left impact on students, colleagues and family

By Bailey Diem | Sep. 25

UF journalism professor emeritus Jon A. Roosenraad died Sept. 13 at age 78. "Rosey" was known for the way he enjoyed life and supported everyone he crossed paths with.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student government agency ACCENT Speakers accused of conflict of interest, misallocating student funds

By Vivienne Serret | Sep. 25

Obtained documents, a Reddit post and public record requests on the UF Student Government agency ACCENT Speakers allege the agency has financial conflicts of interests to the Florida Blue Key institution.

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, front left, gestures as speaks to supporters and members of the media before a bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis, front right, Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon, Fla. This week, Ladapo asked the state medical board to draft new policies that would likely restrict gender dysphoria treatments for transgender youth. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Florida surgeon general disagrees with UF over efficacy, safety of new COVID-19 boosters

By Garrett Shanley and Jinelle Vazquez | Sep. 25

Florida’s controversial surgeon general Joseph Ladapo — who is also a tenured professor of medicine at UF — is at odds with the university over whether the public should receive new COVID-19 boosters.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Student Government, Gainesville City Commission discuss transport, housing in special Senate meeting

By Vivienne Serret and Kat Tran | Sep. 20

The Gainesville City Commission requested a special Senate meeting with UF’s Student Government. They met Sept. 19 to discuss transportation and traffic safety concerns as well as student housing and sustainability issues.

The remnants of a top 5 banner is seen on Buckman Drive on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Banner bandits strike again

By Garrett Shanley | Sep. 18

Despite UF’s best efforts to curb the theft of “#1 public university” banners, 43 of 45 banners have been stolen since Friday.

The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass ensemble performs in the Santa Fe College Master Artist Series at Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall at Santa Fe College on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

NEWS | SFC

Globe-trotting brass ensemble performs at Santa Fe College

By Bailey Diem | Sep. 18

The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass performed at Santa Fe College Sept. 15 as a part of the SF Master Artist Series, a program that gives fine arts students the opportunity to learn from professional performers.

A Sweetwater apartment building is under construction on University Avenue in Gainesville on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Sweetwater apartments delay move-in, students left homeless

By Melanie Pena and Vivienne Serret | Sep. 18

Sarina Phipps lives with a quarter of her belongings at the Holiday Inn. When the rush of game day weekends arrives, and the hotel becomes overbooked, she quickly gathers a small bag of everything she owns and stays at a friend’s place.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF loses Top 5 ranking

By Garrett Shanley | Sep. 17

UF fell from No. 5 to No. 6 among national public universities, according to U.S News & World Report Best College rankings released Sept. 17. The drop follows U.S. News’ sweeping changes to its ranking criteria, which it described in a press release as the “most significant methodological change in the rankings’ history.”