News - The Independent Florida Alligator

All libraries except for Library West, which is one of two 24-hour spaces on campus, will resume their usual hours from prior to COVID-19 closures upon reopening in August.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF plans to loosen COVID-19 restrictions starting in Summer B

By Juliana Ferrie | Feb. 22, 2021

Some of UF’s face-to-face courses, which begin June 28, will return back to normal capacity levels, according to an email sent to a course scheduling listserv from Colin Yokomi, UF’s assistant university registrar, and several departments across campus. It is unclear if masking will still be mandatory and which courses this will affect.

Executive candidates for Change Party, Gator Party and Keg Party

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Meet the candidates running for the Spring 2021 executive ticket

By Sofia Echeverry and Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 22, 2021

Gator, Change and Keg Party have candidates running for Student Body president, vice president and treasurer positions.

Spring 2021 Student Government Polling Locations

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF student voter guide to the SG Spring election

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 22, 2021

Students can vote at the Reitz Union Computer Lab, the Social Lounge at Southwest Recreation Center, the Broward Hall Recreation Room, the Murphree Area Office Conference Room, the Springs Office Conference Room or the Cypress Meeting Room.

Akiya Parks, a first-generation student and Machen Florida Opportunity Scholar, addresses the crowd on the Plaza of the Americas Feb. 26, 2019, for the “Stand Up and Holler: Gator Nation Giving Day.”

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF raises $1.7 million more than last year’s Gator Giving Day

By Alexander Lugo | Feb. 19, 2021

The university raised $25.3 million during its third annual Gator Giving Day fundraiser Thursday, making it the highest yielding year.

A new graduate of the University of Florida watches the remainder of the ceremony while wearing a graduation cap with the Porky Pig quote, “That’s all, folks,” from Looney Tunes.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF announces plans for in-person graduation this Spring

By J.P. Oprison | Feb. 19, 2021

The university announced plans Friday to have 14 in-person ceremonies at the O'Connell Center between April 29 and May 3, with the same safety protocols used for athletic events at the arena. Make-up in-person recognition ceremonies for 2020 graduates are still being planned.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Supreme Court rules against partisan discrimination case

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 19, 2021

In a two-case hearing, the SG Supreme Court ruled unanimously against the claim of bias against applicants for Senate positions not affiliated with the majority party, currently the Gator Party. It also determined that future cases of discrimination can be heard by the court.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF assistant professor on NASA's Perseverance rover team talks Mars landing

By Abigail Hasebroock | Feb. 18, 2021

UF geological sciences assistant professor Amy Williams is participating in her second mission to analyze for signs of ancient life on Mars through NASA's Perseverance rover team, which is landing on the red planet Thursday.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Change, Keg and Gator debate diversity and funds in Spring Executive Debate

By Sofia Echeverry | Feb. 17, 2021

Three parties’ executive ticket candidates discussed topics such as UF COVID-19 guidelines, UF’s contract with food service provider Aramark and challenges in cabinet.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Student Government Spring election party platforms

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 17, 2021

The Gator Party and the Change Party released platforms highlighting stances on traffic safety, sustainability, racism and student diversity. Students will vote for 50 UF Senate seats and the Student Body president, vice president and treasurer on Feb. 23 and 24.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF in the early stages of AI transformation

By Alexander Lugo | Feb. 17, 2021

As soon as Fall 2021, UF students can learn how to use artificial intelligence to improve agriculture, remove bias from algorithms and advance social justice.

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 | Feb. 17, 2021

Santa Fe’s total number of reported positive cases is now 678, according to a report provided by spokesperson Jay Anderson. The college recorded its first student case March 8. Since Jan. 29, the college’s COVID-19 numbers have fluctuated, with the highest number of reported positive cases being 37 in one week.

The tomb of Francisco José do Nascimento, nicknamed "Sea Dragon," caked in dirt when UF history graduate student Licinio Nunes de Miranda found it in July. [Courtesy of Licinio Nunes de Miranda]

NEWS | CAMPUS

Following three-year search, UF grad student discovers long-lost Brazilian abolitionist’s tomb

By Jack Prator | Feb. 16, 2021

UF history graduate student Licinio Nunes de Miranda spent three years searching for the tomb of Brazilian abolitionist Francisco José do Nascimento, nicknamed the Sea Dragon because of his beginnings as a fisherman.

Two people light each other’s candles during an event on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021 to honor those killed during a school shooting in Parkland, Florida three years ago.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gainesville remembers Parkland shooting victims

By Alexander Lugo and Valeriya Antonshchuk | Feb. 15, 2021

About 80 students gathered in Plaza of the Americas on the evening of Feb. 14 to observe the third anniversary of the shooting. March for Our Lives Gainesville, a local branch of the national organization formed immediately following the tragedy to advocate for gun reform, honors the anniversary each year with a vigil on the plaza.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Preventing tragedy: New safety measures on University Avenue

By Sofia Echeverry | Feb. 15, 2021

UF will collaborate with FDOT, the city and UPD to enact traffic safety measures. These changes include lowering the speed limit, fixing and adding new crosswalks and installing signs for increased visibility.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Judge Stephan Mickle Honored in Memorial Service

By Ben Crosbie | Feb. 15, 2021

Clad in face coverings and dark, formal clothing, about 60 friends, family and former colleagues of Mickle gathered at the Curtis M. Phillips Center at noon for the private service. Mickle, the first Black student to earn an undergraduate degree from UF, died of cancer Jan. 26 at 76 years old.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF professor and peers call for more funding for Black researchers

By J.P. Oprison | Feb. 12, 2021

In a paper calling upon the National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies to address racial disparities, UF professor Josephine Allen and 18 of her colleagues argued that without adequate research funding, Black scientists can become discouraged and quit the profession – leaving fewer Black researchers to serve as role models and mentors for the next generation.

A collection of tombstone shaped signs and a banner calling for the end of in-person classes at the University of Florida was set-up on the corner of 13th Street and University Avenue on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UFF elevates concerned voices as UF’s re-opening plans rev on

By Alexander Lugo | Feb. 11, 2021

UFF held the meeting to lay out five demands aimed at university administration. The requests mainly center around in-person teaching and how it endangers faculty at a time when COVID-19 cases are still high, a more contagious variant of the disease is in town and students are still flocking to bars and clubs on the weekend.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Wednesday is the last day to request an absentee ballot for the Spring elections

By Carolina Ilvento | Feb. 10, 2021

Students who are not living in Gainesville or don’t feel comfortable voting in person can request an absentee ballot to be sent by mail by filling out a request form through the SG website.

NEWS | SFC

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

By Juliana Ferrie | Feb. 10, 2021

Santa Fe’s total reported positive cases is now 664. The college recorded its first student COVID-19 case March 8 and its first employee case the following day.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF’s online programs are among the best in the country

By Abigail Hasebroock | Feb. 9, 2021

The online bachelor’s program is available to more students than the roughly 4,000 who are currently enrolled. The courses offered are not exclusive to students only online but are available to traditional students who desire to take online classes.