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Thursday, July 10, 2025

Opinion

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Waiting to drink legally was worth it

If you asked me why I waited until my 21st birthday to drink, I could tell you a number of reasons. For one, my big sister waited until her 21st, so that’s what I thought you were supposed to do. She has always been my role model. Two, I’m stubborn, and I had told people a while ago that I was waiting until my 21st birthday to drink. I had made up my mind, but they doubted me or told me I’d go wild once I arrived at college. This fueled my fire even more to keep my word. And three, it doesn’t sit well with me to think of doing anything illegal. I’m just one of those people who is paranoid of getting in trouble for no good reason. I’d get nervous when an officer would walk by me in the halls when I was in middle school—palms sweaty, heart racing, the whole deal—and I never did anything wrong. I guess you could say I’m a stickler for rules, and I’m OK with that.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

Mascot Mishap

When students were given the chance to decide on their school mascot, they chose the Gators. At least that was the case in Arkansas' Two Rivers School District after a school merger - and UF is not happy about it.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Ways to excel in academics, social life

Last week, I began my list of seven important lessons for incoming UF freshmen. I mentioned the importance of living in the dorms, learning how to cook on a budget and studying with a purpose. If you missed last week's column, check out the Opinions page at alligator.org. This week, I continue with the fourth tip.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Organizations don’t oppose ordinance

Although I’m very happy to see the Alligator following up on the drinking ordinance, I’d like to clarify a few confusions. I said that I was going to try to work with the UF College Democrats and members of Student Government to see if we could get bipartisan support in opposing the ordinance, but I haven’t gotten the confirmed support yet. I wanted to clear this up because, as of now, these organizations are in no way associated with this opposition.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Church is ignorant of Islamic faith

The politics of the Dove World Outreach Center has left a vile mark on the Gainesville community. The Center’s recent protest against the Islamic Center of Gainesville, 1010 W University Ave., sent a clear message of hate, bigotry and sheer ignorance of the Islamic faith and the Muslim communities that work, study and raise families in Gainesville. Many laudable public events in Gainesville have encouraged and showcased interfaith understanding, such as the Children of Abraham Seder held last year. However, the Monday protest was a divisive occurrence demonstrating the need for community action.


Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Important tips for incoming freshmen

Because entering college doesn’t come with an instruction manual like your iPad does, I thought I would impart a few quick-but-vital lessons to the newly arrived crop of UF students. Due to space limitations, I have broken this into a two-part series for this week and the next.


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