The Student Senate will hear a resolution today that asks UF administration to halt the removal of independently owned newspaper racks.
UF wants to replace independently owned racks with black modular racks owned by the university.
The Alligator started to collect data during Fall 2011 and replaced five of its own racks with the university’s in Spring 2012. The Alligator then presented the data to retired professor David Denslow to complete an impact study.
The resolution asks the administration to not replace the racks until after Denslow completes the study.
Before the resolution could go to the Senate floor, it had to be passed by the Judiciary Committee on Sunday.
It was passed unfavorably.
Sen. Justin Shifrin said if the Alligator is a business, it shouldn’t concern itself with Student Government.
Sen. Truman Williams said the modular units could increase free speech by juxtaposing different publications next to each other.
Bill author and committee member Sen. Umair Asghar said the removal of the racks could have dire consequences.
He said the issues other members raised should be brought up in the Senate floor.
“If you feel uncomfortable telling administration to halt efforts, bring it up in Senate,” Asghar said.
Contact Samantha Shavell at sshavell@alligator.org.
