Opinion | Editorials - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts &amp Laurels

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 22, 2008

Well, it's finally here. Our calendars may say it's Wednesday, but right about now it sure feels like a Friday. This being the last issue of the spring semester and the last day of classes - though everyone seems to be too busy headed to the library for "exams" and "term papers" - we've decided to lighten it up a bit. C'mon, you know you're not really going to use both of those reading days, anyway. So grab a lounge chair by the pool, pop open a cold one and start thinking about summer. It's with bittersweet nostalgia that we here at the Darts & Laurels department compose our semester-ending edition of Darts & Laurels.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

UF has come a long way but still has work to do

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 21, 2008

In the spirit of Earth Day, we think it's necessary to applaud UF's ongoing campus sustainability efforts and the progress that has been made to reduce the university's large environmental impact.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Vague policy might not stop exploitation

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 20, 2008

There are some things that change almost every semester: roommates, classes and professors. But the one thing that seems to remain constant is the temporary sticker price shock every student faces when the cash register rings up the astronomical cost of textbooks.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts &amp Laurels

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 17, 2008

The cold weather has made it hard for us to believe that we've finished the last full week of classes for the semester. Though we're looking forward to the end of finals - and that walk across the stage for those of us graduating - we here at the Darts & Laurels department are going to miss reviewing all the crazy things that happen in Gainesville. So as you stock up on caffeine and take advantage of those extended study hours at Library West, take a second to join us for this week's edition of…..Darts & Laurels.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Hunger strike won't advance SDS cause

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 16, 2008

Today marks the eighth day that the Students for a Democratic Society have been on a hunger strike to convince UF President Bernie Machen that the university should make its investment portfolio transparent.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Eliminating ads will do little to change culture

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 15, 2008

Anyone who has been in Gainesville long enough knows how UF President Bernie Machen feels about alcohol, or more specifically, underage binge drinking.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Democrats' actions do not demonstrate change

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 14, 2008

At the beginning of the primary season, it seems the Democratic contenders promised us a bit too much.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Parking plans need to encourage alternatives

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 13, 2008

It's a common gripe at colleges across the country: Parking on campus is a nightmare. At the second largest university in the United States, we're no strangers to the parking tickets, the "who-stole-my-car" moments before the adjustment to roam towing and the hours of circling and stalking in parking lots before classes.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 10, 2008

This week it seems that along with the pollen and spring, protesting is also in the air. Whether it's the anti-war protestors on the corner of 13th Street and University Avenue, the hunger strikers staking it out in front of Bernie's office or the maniacs trying to extinguish the Olympic torch, it's hard to keep up with who's mad at who for what these days. So, here at Darts & Laurels headquarters, we'll keep it simple for you this week and let you know what should really be pissing you off. Get your signs ready and practice your angry chants for this week's edition of Darts & Laurels.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Commission should hold off on major votes

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 9, 2008

On Tuesday night, Gainesville City Commissioner Jeanna Mastrodicasa, chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee and UF's assistant vice president of student affairs, held a forum on campus to discuss proposed changes before the commission that may change the face of Gainesville's nightlife.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

New CLAS dean faces challenges ahead

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 8, 2008

We welcome you to your new home, Paul D'Anieri. When others dropped out of the dean search after an administration shake-up and pressing budget problems, you decided to remain in the running to be at the helm of the biggest college on the UF campus. Congratulations on your selection. We're glad that you're here.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Cell phone ban should apply to all drivers

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 7, 2008

A bill that passed through the Senate Transportation Committee last week would prohibit drivers under the age of 18 in Florida from using a cell phone while driving.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Dean's unusual action political despite denial

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 6, 2008

It used to be that the controversial college admissions policies that got the most attention had to do with skin or scores.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 3, 2008

It's sad to think that only a year ago this week, we were all still on a national-championship-winning high thanks to the UF men's basketball team. Despite the depressingly absent University Avenue celebration this year - and the corresponding embarrassing loss Tuesday to the University of Massachusetts that had us drinking for an entirely different reason - we soldiered on. So for a quick pick-me-up before you start the weekend, join us for this week's edition of…

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Senator's multiple addresses suspicious

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 2, 2008

In yet another indication that UF's Student Government is destined to continue business as usual, the Student Senate Rules and Ethics Committee decided to unanimously allow Sen. Sheldon Nagesh to continue representing District E despite pressing concerns about his true residential address - which is anyone's guess at this point.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Stopping abstinence-only curriculum makes sense

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 1, 2008

Earlier last month, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the findings from a groundbreaking study on sexual activity among American teens, and the news was not good.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

'State colleges' wouldn't help Florida's universities

By the Editorial Board | Mar. 31, 2008

As the greater need for access to higher education becomes more apparent, some lawmakers have come up with a seemingly straightforward solution.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Marketing schemes unfairly target students

By the Editorial Board | Mar. 30, 2008

Thousands of students lined up this week to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime chance to prove there is such thing as a free lunch, thanks to an advertising mistake by a marketing firm involving the venerable Gainesville institution Burrito Bros.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

By the Editorial Board | Mar. 27, 2008

The watery, bloodshot eyes. The sore throats. The inability to stay awake in class. There seem to be some sure signs that Gainesville is developing a very big problem lately. But it has nothing to do with those impossibly cheap drink specials at Gator City. The culprit? Evil, evil pollen. So if you're popping that Benadryl and trying to make it to the weekend through a bleary-eyed haze, we know the feeling. Go inside, take a deep, air-conditioned breath, and get ready for this week's edition of…

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Private Party

By the Editorial Board | Mar. 26, 2008

Congrats, Gator Party.