News | Campus - The Independent Florida Alligator

A new speed table rests outside the George A. Smathers Libraries at UF on Saturday, May 8, 2021. Speed tables were installed between Northwest 13th Street and Northwest 22nd Street in response to community outcry over recent traffic deaths on University Avenue. (Photo by Sam Schaffer)

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF, FDOT partner to promote pedestrian and traffic safety

By Garrett Shanley | Aug. 23, 2023

UF partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation to promote pedestrian and traffic safety at an event Wednesday. Department representatives and University Police Department officers gathered on University Avenue and 13th Street to encourage safe pedestrian and driving behaviors during peak traffic times.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF College of Arts dean steps down

By Vivienne Serret | Aug. 23, 2023

The dean of the UF College of Arts will be stepping down from her position effective Jan. 1, 2024, according to an email sent Tuesday to faculty and staff by Interim Provost and Senior Vice President J. Scott Angle. Onye Ozuzu has served as the dean of COTA since 2018, and executed several college-wide initiatives.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College: ‘A very safe environment for all kinds of people’

By Bailey Diem | Aug. 23, 2023

Over the past three years, Santa Fe College experienced a rise in students of all ethnicities. The students and staff attribute this increase in diversity to the college’s inclusive campus events and organizations.

Eli Silverman (left) and Max Rappoport (right) stand together at the Nose Bowl, which is a flag football game between TEP and Pi Lam.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Remembering Eli Silverman: Tau Epsilon Phi recruitment chair leaves legacy within frat house, campus

By Megan Howard | Aug. 23, 2023

The 19-year-old UF business sophomore and Tau Epsilon Phi recruitment chair is remembered as a light among his campus community. Silverman died of natural causes Aug. 11.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

What to expect from Student Government this Fall

By Vivienne Serret | Aug. 23, 2023

The Summer Student Government term brought forth the greatest number of cases a Senate President has had filed against them within the last two decades—a new budget and a world of possibilities for how the Fall election cycle might play out. Looking back on the previous election cycles and this past Summer term can give students an idea of what to expect for the upcoming semester.

Lauren Lemasters, UF’s Student Body president, listens to public comment at the Board of Trustees confirmation vote Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. Some students have criticized her pro-Sasse vote amid student backlash.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Sasse hires former UF student body president as assistant and student life liaison

By Garrett Shanley and Vivienne Serret | Aug. 23, 2023

UF President Ben Sasse hired Lauren Lemasters, former UF student body president, as the presidential assistant and student life liaison in May. As student life liaison, Lemasters serves as a point of contact for student groups, collaborates with the Office of Student Life and provides recommendations to enhance the student experience.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF signs $4.7 million contract with global consulting firm

By Garrett Shanley | Aug. 23, 2023

UF President Ben Sasse hired McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, on a $4.7 million contract to help develop the university’s vision for the future. The firm’s name carries prestige as one of the “big three” management consulting firms, with Boston Consulting Group and Bain and Company tailing McKinsey as direct competitors.

UF President Ben Sasse talks with attendees of the press conference held at Jacksonville City Hall about plans to open a new graduate campus, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Sasse’s preliminary strategic plan includes tuition changes, department reductions

By Garrett Shanley | Aug. 23, 2023

UF President Ben Sasse described an early framework of UF’s new strategic plan in faculty-only presentations across UF’s colleges last week. Sasse discussed adjusting student tuition costs, reducing the total number of academic departments, eliminating "quiet-retired" faculty and restructuring the delivery of education, a professor said.

FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks after being sworn in to begin his second term during an inauguration ceremony outside the Old Capitol on Jan. 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

NEWS | CAMPUS

DeSantis appoints UF alum as chief of staff

By Garrett Shanley | Aug. 16, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis hired Alex Kelly, a UF alumnus and commerce secretary, as his chief of staff Aug. 8.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks as he announces a proposal for Digital Bill of Rights, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

Several UF Board of Trustees donate $1.3 million to DeSantis’ presidential PAC

By Garrett Shanley | Aug. 7, 2023

Several members of the UF Board of Trustees donated more than $1.3 million to Never Back Down, a super PAC funding Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2024 presidential bid.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Florida Supreme Court hears dispute about UF’s 2020 COVID-19 shutdown

By Sally Brown | Aug. 7, 2023

The Florida Supreme Court will review a case about UF returning fees paid to the university during the COVID-19 shutdown to students.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Student Government Senate President exonerated for second time

By Vivienne Serret | Aug. 7, 2023

Santiago Perez was exonerated of all charges, and they believed the committee made the right decision given the inconclusive evidence.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

New state legislation leads to departures, concerns among UF faculty

By Garrett Shanley | July 31, 2023

The exodus of UF faculty potentially comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a series of bills reforming higher education.

Signage giving a brief description of the Timucua tribe is seen near the Levin College of Law on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF’s efforts to preserve Native American history remain despite implications from new legislation

By Jinelle Vazquez | July 31, 2023

The new law prompts some worry from the UF community about the future of Native American history at the university, while others believe their efforts to preserve the history will last.

The UF Center for Latin American Studies is housed in Grinter Hall seen at 1523 Union Rd. on Sunday, July 30, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

State education bill casts mixed opinions within UF Latin and Indigenous studies

By Nicole Beltran | July 31, 2023

Florida’s abundant history of instruction on Latin American and Indigenous culture may face censorship, potentially undermining the historical importance of the subjects.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Florida’s new bathroom law prompts concern from UF students

By Garrett Shanley | July 31, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 1521 into law in May, and it became effective July 1. The bill, also known as the Safety in Private Spaces Act, introduces penalties for people using a public restroom or changing facility not aligned with their sex assigned at birth.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Taking a stand: Student Senate legislation condemns DeSantis’ bills

By Vivienne Serret | July 31, 2023

Some UF Student Government members have made it a point to submit legislation in solidarity with students who may be affected by the new Florida laws.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Senate holds second Big Five budget reading, plans to reconsider Senator removal

By Vivienne Serret | July 27, 2023

Members from the Gator Party and the Change Party addressed the July 18 Big Five budget reading and the recent Rules and Ethics Committee removal of a Student Government Senator at the July 25 SG Senate meeting.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Celebrating Disability Pride Month: UF’s disability, accessibility resources

By Jinelle Vazquez | July 24, 2023

With more than 6,800 students registered at the UF Disability Resource Center, accessibility is a priority among the university community — though some students feel UF has plenty to improve.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

‘Abuse of power’: debates spark over Change Party budget amendment

By Vivienne Serret | July 24, 2023

After the Big Five budget had its first of two readings at the July 18 UF Student Government Senate meeting, an amendment reallocating funds from SG agencies passed despite a majority of Senate disapproval. It will undergo its second reading July 25.