UF Student Body President Susan Webster discussed Thursday a proposed partnership between UF and Uber, which would offer discounts to students using the ride-sharing app.
The plan, which could possibly go into effect next week, was one of several items mentioned during a UF Board of Trustees meeting inside Emerson Alumni Hall.
Notably, committee members approved a $33 million building, and a lawyer spoke about a lawsuit he’s filing against UF.
David Guzick, the president of UF Health, spoke about building a new medical facility in Springhill, Florida, to provide health services. The current UF Health Springhill building is at capacity, so the new one, which will cost about $33 million, will allow for continued services. The Committee on Finance and Facilities unanimously approved the building, and the board will vote on it today.
“We again wanted to consolidate these practices into one place,” Guzick said.
At the start of a special session from the Committee on Governance, Gainesville lawyer Huntley Johnson spoke to the board about his filed lawsuit, which accuses UF of violating public records laws. He accused Jamie Keith, the vice president of the General Counsel, of being unfit to manage the office, which deals with public records.
UF spokesperson Janine Sikes said after asking and being denied payment for his legal fees, Johnson put in 42 public records requests targeting Keith. Sikes said they were working on fulfilling his request as he filed the lawsuit.
“It doesn’t just always happen in 24 hours,” she said of fulfilling public records requests.
The finance and facilities committee also approved a lease for a parcel of land by Newman’s lake, located east of Gainesville, for the UF Rowing club and Department of Recreational Sports to use.
Also discussed was the construction of a proposed parking garage across from the Reitz Union Welcome Center, which is planned for late 2018, according to Alligator archives.
What The Board Discussed
- Uber partnerships with UF for discounted rates
- Undergraduate research fairs for Fall
- Building renovations, including Norman Hall and the Music Building
- UAA’s capital plan to build a new training facility and update the baseball and softball stadiums
- An upcoming parking garage
- UF’s class of 2021 and admissions data
Contact Romy Ellenbogen at rellenbogen@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @romyellenbogen
