Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

We chose UF — would we choose it again?

By Sara Lindsay | Jan. 24, 2022

Right now, our community cares about COVID-19. Students and faculty are sick, scared of getting sick or sick of the situation in general. And there’s no end in sight. Despite widespread symptoms of pandemic burnout, UF continues to implement a laissez-faire leadership style when it comes to the virus. UF leaders expect masks but won’t mandate them, online class alternatives are rarely offered and simple social distancing protocols in classrooms seem to be a thing of the past.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A day of gratitude, reflection and celebration: Feb. 9, 2022

Oct. 4, 2021

Feb. 9, 2022 will be UF’s Day of Gratitude, with an overarching theme of reflecting on UF’s core values. Our core values include excellence, discovery and innovation, inclusion, freedom and civility, community and stewardship.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Ready for a Joyful and Successful Semester

Aug. 23, 2021

If I could, I would guarantee a fabulous semester by forcing every student, faculty member and staff to wear a mask and get vaccinated, but I can’t. Thus, I ask everyone to make the right choice — get the shot, and wear the mask.

Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (15) escapes pressure from Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain (25) during UF's 31-20 win in the 2008 SEC Championship Game. Tebow signed with the Jaguars as a tight end May 20.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Tebow time: Why the Jaguars should/should not have signed Tim Tebow

By Zachary Huber and Michael Hull | May 24, 2021

The Jaguars signed Florida legend Tim Tebow May 20 as a tight end. Our writers debate whether this was a smart move by Jacksonville.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Sexual violence needs to stop

May 17, 2021

Discussions of sexual assault too often turn to victim-blaming (e.g., were they at a party? Were they drinking? What were they wearing?) This must be reframed so the actions and choices of sexual assault perpetrators are under the spotlight.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The case for improving COVID-19 racial health disparities

Apr. 25, 2021

One of the most startling—yet frequently ignored—dilemmas throughout the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the US has been the dramatic disparities in vaccination allocation that disproportionately affected minority and low-income groups.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Solving a UF mystery

By Kent Fuchs | Mar. 30, 2021

Since March is Women’s History Month, we checked with Carl Van Ness, university historian, for help unraveling a longstanding UF mystery. What he said renewed my appreciation for the early history of women at UF – their accomplishments and struggles.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Dear Florida Legislature, don’t put a price tag on my education

By Makiya Seminera | Mar. 22, 2021

The fight to protect Bright Futures may feel like a steep uphill battle, but that does not mean that we are helpless to the whims of self-interest within the Florida State Legislature. In truth, there are multiple ways you can make a difference toward protecting Bright Futures.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Coping with graduate school rejections during a pandemic

Mar. 16, 2021

Throughout processing my denied application, I came up with a few suggestions to help soothe any other Gator graduates experiencing the bitter taste of rejection from graduate schools this season.

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF Needs to Be a Better Neighbor

Mar. 12, 2021

To the administration at the University of Florida: Look beyond your campus and remember that while you serve students, you are a neighbor to many who call this place home. May this pandemic mark the beginning of a renewed and compassionate partnership.

Despite missing four starters, Florida still won. And not only did Florida still win, it won with a score tied for its third highest this year.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

This year’s gymnastics team could be one of UF’s best teams in recent memory

By River Wells | Feb. 22, 2021

OPINION: If this year’s team can stick the landing, it has the potential to be among the best Gators teams of all time — across any sport.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Amid the pandemic, gratitude

Feb. 22, 2021

COVID-19 has proven to be difficult and exhausting. However, there is nothing more encouraging to me than knowing the hard work of our faculty and staff is making a real difference and that our students are persisting and excelling.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor from a Starbucks Employee on COVID-19 Safety

Feb. 20, 2021

It’s exhausting living in a constant state of fear and anxiety, but not taking the necessary precautions are only going to prolong the pandemic, and make things more difficult for those like myself, who are trying to work outside of home.

OPINION | COLUMNS

PACE Yourself for the Long Haul: Surviving the Pandemic

Feb. 19, 2021

It is important to see how far we have come and to honor the tough choices we have made to sustain ourselves during the pandemic. We continue to have important choices to make individually and collectively moving forward which can make a big difference in survival.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: From Union Party, With Love

Feb. 10, 2021

This is not the end of the Union Party dream — it is the beginning of a new era for the indie movement. It’s time for change.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: Joining Forces to Fight for Change

Feb. 10, 2021

The Change Party will strive to lead by example and truly give every Greek Gator, minority Gator, Graduate Gator, and international Gator a seat at the table.

METRO | POLITICS

Voice your vote in upcoming elections

Sep. 15, 2020

While the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench in many of our 2020 plans, one thing we cannot let coronavirus do is prevent us from voting.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Putting the distance learning fee to work for students

Sep. 14, 2020

I would like to propose that UF allocates a portion of our per-credit-hour tuition fees to upgrading the internet routers for those professors who are expected to lecture online from their homes.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gainesville is your city and it needs your help

Sep. 11, 2020

On Aug. 26, Dr. Michael Lauzardo gave a thoughtful answer when asked if UF’s opening would cause COVID-19 to spread, and what steps the university would take to mitigate the impact. In the two weeks since, much has changed, and my worries have only grown — COVID-19 has spread rapidly within the Gator Nation including a 23.9% positive test rate at the Student Health Center. Testimonies of dead end contact tracing, students afraid of or refusing quarantining and testing, and lack of proper guidance for positive cases have raised issues that need immediate attention, not just from UF Health and administration, but from the powerful decision makers on the Board of Trustees and the Office of the Provost Joe Glover.

NEWS | CAMPUS

I caught COVID-19 at UF. Test students weekly

Sep. 8, 2020

I am the second person to test positive for COVID-19 at Hume Hall at UF. I was exposed to the virus by another resident of Hume. Both of us were wearing masks but were not socially distanced in the Hume Library. I may have contracted the virus because we were sitting very close to each other, talking or because of the cards we were passing around. One way or another, I acknowledge that socializing that day was my decision; I am not blaming any person in particular and take responsibility for contracting COVID-19.